American: dialect of Carib spoken in Guiana, most closely allied to Soerikong.
Mawi, see [Maori].
Maya or Mayan.
American: Class name for many languages of Central America, especially those of Yucatan and Guatemala. In the former it rules exclusively; in the latter it is a closely allied form of speech. The Poconchi (with the exception of certain rude dialects belonging to the same class) is the representative language. The Kachiquel is a third language of equal importance. In Vera Cruz, for the parts about Tampico, an allied language, the Huasteca, separated from its congeners, is (or was) the original vernacular. Grammatical sketches, “artes,” as they are called by early missionaries are as early and fully as numerous for the Maya languages and dialects as for any in America, dating from the seventeenth century. A short but valuable work by Squier is the chief authority for them. “States of Central America,” by T. G. Squier, N. York, 1858; “Etudes,” by Brassier De Bourbourg, Paris, 1869-70; “Silabario,” by Ruz, Merida, 1845; “Phonetic Alphabet,” described by Brinton. R. G. L. See [Vey].
Mayorga.
Polynesian: dialect of the Friendly Islands.
Mayoruna.
American: Indians of the Rio Yavari, in the province of Rio Negro, Brasil.
⁂ This language has affinities with the Suntaha Sow languages of Borneo, and belongs to the Pygmean or Mincopie class of Colebrook. H. C.