appeal for help and encouragement!

[Ian Mursell]

> Nahua language and culture discussion <NAHUAT-L at LISTS.UMN.EDU> writes:
>> Dear Colleagues,
>> 
>> I've been a passive member of this list for some time.  I hope now to seek
>> your interest and help with an educational service on Aztec culture based
>> here in London, UK.
>> 
>> Mexicolore is a specialist independent educational service on Mexico and the
>> Aztecs, established in London in 1980.  Our team have worked in over 1,000
>> schools, museums, art galleries, and other educational venues throughout
>> England, working with some 100,000 children.  We work closely with the
>> British Museum Education Service, the Museum of Mankind (BM Ethnography
>> Department) and most recently with the Royal Academy of Arts, in support of
>> their major exhibition on the Aztecs that ended a year ago.
>> 
>> I think it's safe to say that we are the leading providers of educational
>> services on the Aztecs in this country, and our website is a prime source of
>> information and links, not only for schools but for all those interested in
>> learning about Aztec civilization.
>> 
>> We have just uploaded a new 'Aztec Pronunciation' page on our site, to
>> enable enquirers - particularly children - to check the pronunciation of key
>> 'Aztec' names and words that frequently feature in project work on the
>> Aztecs.
>> 
>> My main concern at this stage is simple verification!  I'm keen to correct
>> and improve any errors, to the best of my ability.  Please remember that
>> this resource is VERY introductory, and perfection is perhaps not needed!
>> However, we intend to add constantly to this page both in quantity and
>> quality, with plenty of background material on Náhuatl.
>> 
>> I would be hugely grateful if one or more of you, as experts, could cast a
>> beady eye/ear over the page and let me have your immediate comments,
>> suggestions, criticisms...
>> 
>> I'm not sure how I can access the correct sounds, assuming there are errors,
>> but I'm confident we could find a way to resolve this.
>> 
>> Many thanks in anticipation...
>> 
>> Best regards y muchos saludos desde Londres
>> 
>> Ian
>> 
>> Ian Mursell
>> Director
>> Mexicolore
>> 28 Warriner Gardens
>> London SW11 4EB, U.K.
>> Tel: +44 (0) 20 7622 9577
>> Fax: +44 (0) 20 7498 3643
>> www.mexicolore.co.uk
>> Ian.Mursell at btinternet.com
>> 
>> Bringing Mexico and the Aztecs to life in schools and museums throughout
>> England - and now via the internet! - since 1980
>> 
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> Dear Ian,
> 
>       I quickly perused your Nahuatl glossary and was impressed with the fact
> that it has an audio component.  While other audio glossaries exist for many
> indigenous languages, such as Dene or Navajo,
> your overview of terms for grade school kids provides a wonderful introduction
> to the language via the pronunciation of key terms.
> 
>       On another note, the only terms with which I sensed a variation from
> standard Mexica forms were those specific to Telpohcalli and Petate/metate.
> Depending on the regional variant of Nahuatl used
> (e.g., Veracruz nahuatl usage), I suspect that the variation may be
> accommodated as noted.  Otherwise, good luck on your project.
> 
> Best Regards,
> 
> Ruben G. Mendoza, Ph.D., Director
> Institute for Archaeological Science, Technology and Visualization
> Social and Behavioral Sciences
> California State University Monterey Bay
> 100 Campus Center
> Seaside, California 93955-8001
> 
> Email: archaeology_institute at csumb..edu
> Voice: 831-582-3760
> Fax: 831-582-3566
> http://archaeology.csumb.edu
> http://archaeology.csumb.edu/wireless/
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> Thank you.


Dear Ruben,

Thank you very much indeed for your comments, and for taking the trouble.
I'm relieved and encouraged that we seem to be on the right track.

I think I see the mistake in 'telpohcalli' - should it be 'telpochcalli'?
But I'm confused over petate/metate, except that you've drawn attention to
the fact that I should have written them in the Náhuatl 'petlatl' and
'metlatl'.  Is this what you meant?  Sorry to be naïve on this.

Kind regards,

Ian

Ian Mursell
Director
Mexicolore
28 Warriner Gardens
London SW11 4EB, U.K.
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7622 9577
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7498 3643
www.mexicolore.co.uk
Ian.Mursell at btinternet.com

Bringing Mexico and the Aztecs to life in schools and museums throughout
England - and now via the internet! - since 1980