Meaning of Yucatan (What is it, Concept and Definition)

What is Yucatan:

Yucatan ( u-yuk-a-tan ) is a toponym of Mayan origin .Identifies, mainly, the Yucatan Peninsula , located between North and Central America, whose territory is shared by Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. Yucatan is also the name of a Mexican state , located southeast of the country, whose capital is Merida.As Yucatan the strait that separates the island of Cuba from the peninsula of the same name, and which, in turn, connects the Caribbean Sea with the Gulf of Mexico.It also refers to the Bank of Yucatan , located on the coast of the peninsula, between Punta Nizuc and Isla Contoy, great care for boats.

Etymology of Yucatan

There are different theories about the origin of the word Yucatan , all refer to the times of the conquest and all are founded on misunderstanding s between Spaniards and Maya .

One of them says that when the Spaniards went to the natives to question them about the name of those lands , they answered “ yucatan ”, which in the Mayan language would mean“ I do not understand ”.Hence the conqueror to establish the fruit of this confusion for history.

Another story that the Indians, to disregard the Spaniards who came to ask them things, said “ yucatan ”, which would mean “ I am not from here ”.

Crescencio Carrillo y Ancona, a student of Yucatecan affairs, says he finds the true origin of the term when he reports that Yucalpeten , original name given to those lands by the Maya according to your opinion, step, after a syncopation process (that is, the suppression of sounds within the word to facilitate pronunciation), to become Yucatan , which according to he would translate " the pearl or choker of our wife ".

Another theory points out that Yucatan would derive from the name given by the natives to their nation : " yuk'al-tan mayab ", which would translate "all who speak the Mayan language".

Despite the wide variety of anecdotes there is no version determinant on the origin and meaning of the word Yucatan ; There is only consensus that is an indigenous native voice .