[Aztlan] Language and Culture

[kim Goldsmith]

I am somewhat puzzled by Dr. Smith's statement, "I don't care very much what language the Teotihuacanos spoke..."

I believe I understand the gist of his of his message to be that the underlying urge to "ethnify" everybody (whether in ancient or modern times) should not obscure the paths to understanding their capabilities and acheivements.  However, the persuit of knowledge regarding language and origins is grassroots for a complete understanding of how and why a people are who they are.

Although we may never know what language the people spoke in Teotihuacan, this does not stop us from asking the question.  Obviously the people who settled here CAME from somewhere, bringing with them the skills the enjoyed in their previous place(s) of residence.  If we could trace them back linguistically, we could better trace them idealogically and geographically as well.

In my opinion, it is a critical mistake to ignore language in culture, and frankly I can't see how you can study one without at least trying to understand the other.

KIM

Kim C. Goldsmith, Ph.D.
Archaeologist
Teotihuacan
  MEXICO