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Robert M. Laughlin

ロバート・ムーディー・ラフリン

Robert M. Laughlin

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1934-05-29
Died
2020-05-28 （Arlington, Virginia, USA） age 85
Nationality
United States
Languages
English, Tzotzil
Residence History
San Lorenzo Zinacantán, Chiapas (research base) → Washington, D.C. (Smithsonian affiliation) → Arlington, Virginia

Career

Occupations
Anthropologist, Linguist, Curator
Active Years
1960-2020
Affiliations
Smithsonian Institution, Sna Jtz'ibajom (local writers' cooperative, co-founder)
Influenced
Tzotzil-speaking communities of Chiapas (influenced language revitalization and orthographic standardization), Local writers and theatre groups (e.g. Sna Jtz'ibajom)

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Great Tzotzil Dictionary of San Lorenzo Zinacantán

1975 Dictionary / Lexicography

A comprehensive dictionary of the Tzotzil language of San Lorenzo Zinacantán, containing approximately 30,000 entries with lexical information, usage notes, and cultural annotations. It contributed to standardizing orthography and revitalizing interest in the language.

language documentationlexicographyindigenous culture

Studies on Tzotzil Folktales (various papers/editions)

Ethnography / Folklore

Collected and analyzed Tzotzil folktales, describing narrative structures and their cultural roles within the community.

folktalescultural preservation

Bibliography

  • The Great Tzotzil Dictionary of San Lorenzo Zinacantán (1975)
  • Collections and papers on Tzotzil folktales (various)
  • Studies on Tzotzil ethnobotany

Style & Themes

Literary Style
academic, descriptive prosedetailed ethnographic annotation
Recurring Motifs
preservation of indigenous culturelanguage documentation and revitalizationfolktales and oral tradition

Health

  • COVID-19
    2020
    Died from COVID-19 in 2020. The illness was fatal and ended his active work.

Legacy

Laughlin's dictionary and ethnographic work significantly contributed to the standardization of Tzotzil orthography and language revitalization in Chiapas. His materials are valued resources for cultural preservation and scholarship, with archives held by the Smithsonian.

Museums

  • Smithsonian National Anthropological Archives (holdings) Washington, D.C., USA

Archives

  • Smithsonian Online Virtual Archives (Robert Moody Laughlin papers)

Trivia

  • The Great Tzotzil Dictionary of San Lorenzo Zinacantán is reported to contain about 30,000 entries.
  • Died of COVID-19 in 2020, one day before his 86th birthday.