Mary Ritchie Key (1924–2003)

We remain intrigued by the "Fertile Crescent", double entendres aside. History, it seems, hardly takes a vacation before another invasion, uprising, or slaughter takes place. The "Cradle of Civilization", to give its other common name, is the birthing ground of the world's most blood-drenched Faith traditions, and the dust contains an embarrassment of riches going back to the little pink knees of civilization first emerging.

But surprise! This is not just about Mesopotamia. A similar "cradle" is discussed and compared, from across the globe -- in Peru! Professor Key began collecting materials for a study of the languages spoken today in the regions of Iraq, and the Andes. Both have ancient civilizations extended along the Fertile Crescents, and she found Words common to both -- persisting in spite of distances and time. The Sumerian/Babylonian cuneiform Chaldean Iraqi communications and the Aymara Quechua regions, with the excavations around Chiquitos and the Island of the Sun in Lago Titicaca. Connections. Intense and blood-tainted religions, King-Priest hierarchies, and boats made from reeds bound together.

The materials are drawn from "specialists" from entirely different areas of the world who rarely meet and discuss the actual similarities, which are abundant. Linguistics, of course, operates at the cutting edge.

Here are some of her notes, materials, digested, specified, or quoted as indicated:

"Tradition has it that the language spoken in the Fertile Crescent was Sumerian. Information about Sumerian, is of course, limited, as the language has not been spoken for well over 5000 years. Yet, scholars can identify some features of the language. Noah Kran is one of the academics to do so. His __ reviews a Maria Haug in the States. It is possible that revenant [words] may remain intact for several thousand years. As I have shown in identifying Hittite in what is now __.

" other works __ and Japan should be considered here. One of the more extensive collections is the compilation of Sjoberg. It appears to be generally accepted. E.g. Blasik.

"January 5, 2003" Belshazzar. Listen to the news. Belshazzar, Neb's son. Daniel 5:27-28. Jeremiah.

Clipping: Bollvia: Archeology. The pre-Columbian history of Bolivia has been shaped by two imperial empires--the Tiwanaku and the Inca. [need to explore/ excavate ] sites such as Tiwanaku, Inkallajta, Chiripa, Lukurmata. On Lake Titicaca, the sacred Isla Sol, where the Inca believed the sun gods and civilization was born. {?} Clark Erickson leads excavations.

Biblio - "Marsh Arabs", Thesiger, Wlfred; Gavin, Maxwell; Thomson, Hugh [White Rock, Inca]

Copy of Wilfred Thesiger, "Ma'adan or Marsh Dwellers of Southern Iraq", Royal Central Asian Journal (Jan 1954) vol XLI, Part 1. [published lecture].

Special Orders - attached - from Parmer Books/ San Diego

Pull out picture of date groves near "Eden".

John Glubb, INTO BATTLE; A Soldier's Diary of the Great War
John Glubb, ARABIAN ADVENTURE, Ten Years of Joyful Service
Here is included the Introduction and poem by Cecil Spring-Rice "I vow to thee, my country"
Thomas Bertram, ALARMS AND EXCURSIONS IN ARABIA (1931) 293 pages {sent to UT}
Here, the Introduction by Arnold T. Wilson
Preface with detailed Outline
I. Introduction - explains Metaphor (the Body), Perception, Genes, 4-corner: Navel Astronomy, "Wonder" "Mistakes" - the problem of controversy
II. Review of the Construction of the Tigris by Aymara Indianbs [sic!]
III. Languages of the Cradle of Civilization [she changed from "Fertile Crescent" because I smiled too much]
IV. The Linguistic Journey out of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
V. Comparative Methodology / Language Change
Sounds and Meaning
Formulas
Replacement / Innovation Retention / Preservation
"As If" [this was mine]
Residuum
VI. Semantic Model and Perception [condensed from other book]
[Technical]
VII Word Formation
[Technical]
VIII Phonological Space
[Technical]
IX Difficulties in Recognizing Cognates
[Technical]
X Initiating Mechanisms for Change / Reasons
Forces -- Prestige, Attraction/Repulsion
Suprasegmentals
Meaning: Taboo / Opposites
Semantic Space
"Natural Semantics" - Distinctive Features of Meaning - within Cognate Sets
A New Theory for Change: How Sound Correspondences Came into Being
XI Grammar
XII Classification / Subgrouping
XIIII History of Ideas
XIV Conclusions

REQUEST: PLEASE HELP WITH THIS ARTICLE / BOOK. CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED.… (altro)

Four stars because the author presciently ignored concept-heavy data-indifferent "theories of linguistics" ala Chomski, which were prevailing in academia, while she risked her life in the tropics gathering actual data. Also, she adopted tribal names that were used by the speakers themselves, rather than by the conquerors and enemies. For example, the "Chama" [dirt] are now known as "Ese Eja" [people]. Over 50 PhDs were written using her data without attribution by males who felt that her "mere data" would enhance their theoretical scholarship.… (altro)