One day soon AI systems like ChatGPT will be helpful when translating ancient Maya text. Today I did a quick check to see of ChatGPT 3.5 knows a simple ancient Maya word. This was my question:
I am trying to translate some ancient Maya text. I am analyzing a specific glyph block and determined it is made entirely of phonetic glyphs. The glyph block recorded the ancient Maya word that was pronounced “o-to-ti”. Do you know what that Maya word means in English?
According to dictionaries from Montgomery as well as Kettunen and Helmke the correct answer is “house” or “home”. ChatGPT 3.5 says it doesn’t know:
As of my last update in September 2021, the ancient Maya word “o-to-ti” does not have a direct translation to English. The Maya language is a complex system with a large number of glyphs representing both logograms (words or morphemes) and phonetic signs (syllables). While some glyphs can be identified phonetically, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have a straightforward English translation.
To interpret the meaning of “o-to-ti,” it would be necessary to contextualize it within a larger passage of text or compare it to other known words in the Maya language. Additionally, it’s essential to consider that the meaning of Maya glyphs can sometimes be nuanced and context-dependent.
Maya epigraphy and linguistics are highly specialized fields, and deciphering Maya texts requires expertise in the subject. If you are serious about translating ancient Maya texts, I recommend reaching out to experts in Maya hieroglyphics and linguistics or consulting academic resources on the subject. They can provide more accurate insights into the meaning of specific glyphs and words within their historical and cultural context.