Resend; apparently first attempt was spamfiltered because I wasn't fully subscribed to the list.
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Jameson Quinn <[email protected]> Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:23:08 -0600 Subject: Mayan numerals To: [email protected] I understand that there are deep and thorny issues in encoding Mayan hieroglyphs in general. The script is not fully deciphered; evolved over more than a millenium; existed in distinct petroglyphic and codex forms; rules for combining elements varied; certain glyphs and fragments are debatable as to whether they're distinct or mere variants, for several reasons; etc. But I don't think it makes any sense to hold off on encoding the basic numerals until all that's resolved. The numerals are used in modern texts easily twenty times as much as the calenderical glyphs, and four hundred times as much as any other glyphs. I've seen dozens of books, from various publishers, which use the numerals as (supplemental) page numbers; and also dozens of texts on Mayan mathematics which use them. I'd like to see at least 20 glyphs for the (horizontal-barred) numerals. Perhaps another 20 with the vertical forms, while we're at it. I don't think the "face" versions of the numbers deserve the same accelerated schedule; they can wait until the other issues are handled. I live in Guatemala and could approach the ALMG (national standards body for the modern Mayan languages; not directly associated with classic Mayan epigraphy but certainly an interested party nonetheless) about making this proposal. Do others agree that it's needed?
