PREFACE

Before trying to understand Aztec hieroglyphic writing the student
should gain some ideas as to how Mexican words are constructed and
what changes word elements suffer in being compounded. No words are
more interesting or suggestive in this direction than geographical names.
This is particularly true because the hieroglyphic material most conven¬
iently accessible to the student chances to be a list of place-names. The
method of study we borrow from de la Rosa's little work ExpUcacion de
algunos de los Nomhres de la Lengua Mexicana, His mode of analysis and
presentation is direct and simple, De la Rosa's arrangement has been
followed in detail. The name is first presented in full; the meaning is
then given in bracketed print; the elements are then presented, parts
which are dropped in the compound being italicized; the meaning of each
element is given in parenthesis; suggestions or explanation of special
points are added in some cases. The list of Rules of Composition is taken
from Dr. Antonio Peiiafiel. Robelo is generally followed in questions of
meaning.

The student is expected to learn the rules, to learn the meanings
of the place-names, and to study the analyses sufficiently to be able to
explain the construction of any name given in the list. After this materia][
has been mastered additional exercises in sight-reading and analysis of ne:*v
place-names should be undertaken.

Frederick Starr
Chicago, June 21, 1920