Today’s assignment is based on Bernardino de Sahag?n?s Florentine Codex. I have already spoken briefly about this source in class. Sahag?n compiled hundreds of indigenous interviews over the course of several decades. The Florentine Codex was originally written in Nahuatl (Column 1) and was later translated into Spanish (Column 3). Your copy has two additional translations ? a decades old English translation of the Spanish translation (Column 4) and a far newer English translation of the original Nahuatl (Column 2). The direct English translation of the original Nahuatl is based on scholars? new knowledge of Nahuatl. Essentially, new information regarding Nahuatl has changed scholars? understanding of this very important document.
1. Carefully read each of the English translations.
2. If you would like, read the Spanish translation for additional perspective, but this is not necessary.
3. Consider the differences between the two English versions of this document. In some paragraphs, there are few, if any, differences. But even subtle differences in some of the paragraphs can have big implications for the true meaning of the document.
4. How do these difference change the meaning of the document?
5. How does the new English translation change the actions of Montezuma?