63 books match the query 'Indigenous Languages in the Americas' and 3 start with i
William A. Read, and revised edition by James B. McMillan
University of Alabama Press, 1984
Learn the Secrets of Alabama’s Fascinating Place Names
In Place Names in Alabama, readers embark on a captivating journey through the linguistic and cultural heritage embedded in the state’s geography. This masterful reference work, compiled by a renowned linguist and historian, unveils the origins and meanings of hundreds of towns, rivers, creeks, and landmarks—many rooted in Native American languages, colonial history, and local folklore. From the bustling streets of Tuscaloosa, whose name means “Black Warrior,” to Mobile, rooted in the name of the indigenous Maubila people, this book reveals the deep cultural and linguistic layers that shape Alabama’s identity. Other fascinating examples are Talladega, which traces its name to a Muscogee word meaning “border town” and Opelika, derived from Creek for “large swamp.”
Indian Place Names in Alabama is scholarly yet accessible, ideal for historians, educators, genealogists, and curious readers. It is richly annotated and includes historical maps, archival citations, and linguistic insights. Its etymologies include place names of Indigenous, French, Spanish, and English origin. Whether you're tracing ancestral roots, exploring regional history, or simply intrigued by the names on a map, Indian Place Names in Alabama offers a treasure trove of discovery.
Charles A Hofling
University of Utah Press, 2000
The Itzaj Maya language is a member of the Yukatekan Maya language family spoken in the lowlands of Guatemala, Mexico, and Belize, a family that includes Maya, Mopan, and Lakantum. Many classic Maya hieroglyphic texts were written in an earlier form of these languages, as were many important colonial documents. In addition to being a valuable record of ancient language, Andrew Hofling’s Itzaj Maya Grammar contributes greatly to the study of these older documents.
This exemplary grammar completes a basic documentation that began with Itzaj Maya Texts and Itzaj Maya-Spanish-English Dictionary. It’s coverage of the linguistic structures of Itzaj includes the phonological, morphophonological, and syntactic structures. Each morphological and grammatical construction is carefully explained, with additional examples of each construction included.
Itzaj Maya Grammar is a landmark contribution to the study of discourse in Maya language. When used with Hofling’s previous texts, it provides a thoroughly dynamic documentation of the language, useful to all interested in the study of Yukatejan languages or linguistics.
Charles A Hofling
University of Utah Press, 1997