Directional precision in zinacantec deictic gestures : (cognitive?) preconditions of talk about space

Comparative work on human spatial cognition contrasts systems of calcu- lating position and trajectory that involve body-re lative reckoning - frequently where the body in question is that of an egocentric obser ver - with systems which rely on global coordinates such as compass directions not r elative to the positions and orien- tations of moveable entities. I consider here a cas e - from a Tzotzil speaker from highland Chiapas, Mexico - in which spoken resources for describing spatial relations are less developed than corresponding gestural repr esentations. Previous studies of Tzotzil suggested that expressing spatial relations hips relies, cognitively and interac- tively, on quite precise, absolutely oriented repre sentations of both microspace and distant locations. I describe semi-experimental stu dies designed to examine expressive resources and their conceptual underpinnings. Gestu re provides striking evidence not only about both the specificity of spatial knowledg e, but also about other conceptual operations - transpositions and re-centerings - ava ilable to interactants for communi- cating about such knowledge.