When Montezuma sent emmisaries with gifts to Cortes, how did they converse? they did not have Dona MArina (now known as La Malinche), and none of the Spanish conquistadors spoke Nahuatl.
They probably didn't converse. But they communicated with lots of smiles (or frowns), body language, and hand gestures.
ok thanks because i need to write diary entries 4 tomorrow from the view of hernan cortes about this event
I think they probably also drew rough pictures -- probably in the dirt.
Have fun with this project.
When Montezuma sent emissaries with gifts to Cortes, communication between them would have been challenging due to the language barrier. However, there are a few possible ways they could have conversed despite not having Dona Marina (La Malinche) or any Spanish conquistadors who spoke Nahuatl. Here are a few possibilities:
1. Visual Communication: They could have relied on visual communication, using gestures and body language to convey their messages. This method would have been limited in terms of the complexity of ideas that could be expressed but could still be effective for conveying basic information.
2. Basic Vocabulary: It's possible that some Spanish conquistadors may have learned a few basic words or phrases in Nahuatl over time. They could have used this limited vocabulary to communicate with the emissaries. While not a comprehensive means of communication, even a few shared words could be enough to establish some level of understanding.
3. Local Interpreters: It's possible that Cortes may have brought along indigenous individuals who were fluent in both Nahuatl and Spanish. These interpreters would have played a crucial role in facilitating communication between the emissaries and the Spanish conquistadors.
4. Non-Verbal Aids: They might have used visual aids like drawings or maps to help convey messages. By pointing to specific objects or locations on these aids, they could have communicated their intentions more effectively.
5. Trial and Error: Communication between Montezuma's emissaries and the conquistadors may have involved a lot of trial and error. Both parties would have made attempts to understand each other's intentions and adjust their methods of communication accordingly until some level of mutual understanding was achieved.
It's important to note that while there might not have been a single definitive method used to converse between the two parties, a combination of the aforementioned strategies would have likely been employed in order to bridge the language gap.