Overmann, Karenleigh A.; Chacon, Thiago; Payne, Annick (2022). Desana numerical symbols. Written language & literacy, 25(2), pp. 133-158. John Benjamins 10.1075/wll.00064.ove
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)In 2006, a narrative of the Desana people included a system of graphic symbols reported as a historical Indigenous invention used during intertribal warfare to count the number of enemies and pass warning information. This paper outlines and evaluates the Desana graphic system. The Desana people are described, and their timeline of mythical events is compared to historical accounts of the region. Contemporary Desana spoken numbers are then characterized as a quinary system with a restricted extent that differs significantly from the graphic writing system as presented in the cultural narrative. Implications for the development of writing systems generally and numerical notations specifically are explored. We conclude that the numerical symbols represent cultural diffusion of both European decimal numerals and the idea of writing. However, these were influenced by, synthesized with, and ultimately transformed through their contact with Indigenous cultural practices and concepts, making them an authentic Desana invention.
Item Type: |
Journal Article (Original Article) |
|---|---|
Division/Institute: |
06 Faculty of Humanities > Department of History and Archaeology > Institute of Archaeological Sciences > Near Eastern Archaeology 06 Faculty of Humanities > Department of History and Archaeology > Institute of Archaeological Sciences |
UniBE Contributor: |
Payne, Annick Daniela |
Subjects: |
900 History > 930 History of ancient world (to ca. 499) 400 Language > 410 Linguistics 400 Language > 490 Other languages 500 Science > 510 Mathematics |
ISSN: |
1570-6001 |
Publisher: |
John Benjamins |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Annick Daniela Payne |
Date Deposited: |
07 Dec 2022 11:06 |
Last Modified: |
07 Dec 2022 18:38 |
Publisher DOI: |
10.1075/wll.00064.ove |
Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Desana; numerical symbols; writing system |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/175577 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Edit item |