Mayasoundex: A Phonetically Grounded Algorithm for Information Retrieval in the Maya Language

Abstract

This paper introduces Mayasoundex, a phonet- ically grounded algorithm tailored for infor- mation retrieval in the Maya language. Maya- soundex utilizes phonetic principles to generate consistent codes for words with similar sounds, promoting phonetic similarity in information retrieval tasks. Drawing upon the distinctive phonological characteristics of the Maya lan- guage, the algorithm offers a robust approach to indexing and searching linguistic data. The proposed method addresses challenges posed by the oral tradition and the recent adoption of Latin characters in Maya writing, providing a versatile solution for preserving and promoting the Maya language through advanced informa- tion retrieval technologies. The Mayasoundex algorithm is made publicly accessible through a Colab Notebook, facilitating broader utiliza- tion and fostering future developments in this field.