WABASH MAGAZINE | SUMMER/FALL 2003


The Man Who Wrote The Book

By Steve Charles
  March 24, 2002

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• The Man Who Wrote The Book
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The Man Who Wrote the Book—anthropologist and writer Bob Laughlin
compiled the only dictionary of the tzotzil language ever published. Here he shows
Professor Rogers and Wabash student Paul Stephens some pronunciations
and their sources during a talk at NaBolom in San Cristobal, Chiapas.
Wabash students met the man who wrote the book on the language spoken by the indigenous people of Chiapas. Literally.

Bob Laughlin, anthropologist, author, and director of the Chiapas Indigenous Theater, gave an insider’s view of the language during a talk at Na Bolom library and spent time with students in several different venues. Laughlin is the editor of the only dictionary of the tzotzil language ever published.

Besides teaching us words in tzotzil, Laughlin invited us to the theater for rehearsal and even taught several in the group the "posh" ritual practiced in Chamulan villages.

 


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