From "The Conquest of America" by Tzvetan Todorov
Regarding Aztec culture at the time of Spanish conquest.
To learn to speak constitutes part of family education; it is the first thing parents think of: "They took great care that their son should converse fittingly with others, that his conversation should be proper" (Florentine Codex, VIII, 20); and an ancient precept, addressed by parents to children says: "Do not set a bad example or speak indiscreetly, or interrupt the speech of another. If someone does not speak well or coherently, see that you do not do the same; if it is not your business to speak, be silent" (Olmos, in Zorita, 9). The fathers invariably tell their sons: "You are to speak very slowly, very deliberately; you are not to speak hurriedly, not to pant, not to squeak, lest it be said of you that you are a groaner, a growler, a squeaker. Also you are not to cry out, lest you be known as an imbecile, a shameless one, a rustic, very much a rustic....And you are to improve, to soften your words, your voice" (Florentine Codex, VI, 22).
To learn to speak constitutes part of family education; it is the first thing parents think of: "They took great care that their son should converse fittingly with others, that his conversation should be proper" (Florentine Codex, VIII, 20); and an ancient precept, addressed by parents to children says: "Do not set a bad example or speak indiscreetly, or interrupt the speech of another. If someone does not speak well or coherently, see that you do not do the same; if it is not your business to speak, be silent" (Olmos, in Zorita, 9). The fathers invariably tell their sons: "You are to speak very slowly, very deliberately; you are not to speak hurriedly, not to pant, not to squeak, lest it be said of you that you are a groaner, a growler, a squeaker. Also you are not to cry out, lest you be known as an imbecile, a shameless one, a rustic, very much a rustic....And you are to improve, to soften your words, your voice" (Florentine Codex, VI, 22).
Excellent now if we can just get adults to behave like that. I work with some that make juvenile jokes and laugh like 3rd graders, :-)
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