Metonyms and Metaphors in Hieroglyphic Texts of the Ancient Maya
This article discusses the presence of figurative language resources, specifically metonyms and metaphors, in the language used in the hieroglyphic inscriptions of the ancient Maya. In particular, it is argued that certain syntactic constructions, previously not addressed by scholars, that appear in the inscriptions actually express metonyms and metaphors related to anger and bravery. This has become possible when the hieroglyphic texts are not merely rendered as literal translations but analysed philologically, which in this case has enabled to identify the figurative resources. Thus, considering the linguistic references in use by the descendants of the ancient Maya, and based on particular cases taken from representative inscriptions, the article highlights the main features of the metonymies and metaphors in question. The fact that these figurative resources are located in royal titles or attributive adjectives forming names of rulers is stressed. Therefore, the article includes a discussion of how those names and titles should be understood in terms of translation. The ancient Mayan rulers would have included in their names figurative references to their anger and courage in order to impose authority over their subjects. As a result of the analysis, the article concludes with a repertoire of ancient figurative terms referring to anger and bravery - the material that will undoubtedly complement our knowledge on the subject and underline the richness of the language of this great civilization.