Mayan Languages Glossary:About

Kawoq Baldomero Cuma, Licenciado

kawoqbaldomerocuma@gmail.com

Kaqchikel language activist, teacher, author, and Maya Spiritual Guide (Ajq'ij). Author of three books ("Pensamiento Filosófico y Espiritualidad Maya", "Runataxik, Qak'aslem: Reviviendo Nuestra Cultura", and "Tawetamaj Kaqchikel: Aprenda Kaqchikel, Camino Para Entender la Cosmovisión"). A native Kaqchikel speaker from the town of Santa Maria de Jesús, Kawoq has over two decades of experience as a professional language teacher and has collaborated with language and culture courses hosted by USAC (Guatemala), Tulane University, the University of Texas at Austin, The University of New Orleans, and The University of Redlands.

Maria Tomás Gaspar

mgaspar@mayanlanguages.wiki

My name is Maria Gaspar. I Live in Greenville, South Carolina and I am a freelance interpreter in the following language pairs: Chuj<>English Spanish<>English. I am an immigrant from Guatemala, born in San Sebastian Coatan in the highlands of Huehuetenango. I was blessed and privileged to be born in a village where one of the indigenous languages are spoken, and I am thankful for it. Chuj, one of the many Indigenous Mayan languages from Guatemala is one of the language pairs that I interpret in. Being able to learn it during my childhood was the greatest gift because it does not only represent who I am and where I come from, but it also gives me a chance to help others. I am proud to share it with others. Facing some hardships of learning and adapting to another culture and language, was not easy however it has helped me learn and understand the struggles that many immigrants are facing coming to the USA not being able to speak or understand another language and culture. Being an interpreter is my passion because it gives me the opportunity to serve and help others and make their lives somewhat easier with communication especially in the Chuj community by breaking the barriers of languages, which are both fulfilling and rewarding. With the easy access to internet and other sources of information nowadays, children now growing up are being taught in Spanish at school even in their hometowns without access to learning materials that will also teach them to read or write in their indigenous languages, therefore our languages are slowly disappearing. My hope and goal with this group are that hopefully in the years to come children and adults will be able to find a place for learning and teaching these languages that will always represent who we are and pass it down to generations and keep them alive because it represents who we are. Being part of this project to me is very special and exciting and also necessary in the hopes of achieving just that.

I am a Court certified Interpreter ATA & CATI member Recipient of ATA & AFTI Membership Diversity Award for Indigenous Language Interpreters at #ATA64 Miami

Dr. Stephanie Wood, Ph.D

swood@uoregon.edu

Dr. Stephanie Wood directs the collaborative Wired Humanities Projects, founded at the University of Oregon but now independent. She helped design and still contributes daily to the searchable database behind the <a href ="https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/">Online Nahuatl Dictionary</a>, which has over 150,000 users annually. This dictionary enjoys contributions from John Sullivan and a large team of native speakers of the Zacatecas Institute for Teaching and Research in Ethnology (IDIEZ). She is also building the <a href="https://aztecglyphs.wired-humanities.org/">Visual Lexicon of Aztec Hieroglyphs</a>, with searchable detailed descriptions and analysis of over 5,000 Nahuatl glyphs (as of May 2024). Another searchable digital collection designed by Dr. Wood is called the <a href ="https://mapas.wired-humanities.org/"> Mapas Project(/a>, which comprises Indigenous-authored pictorial manuscripts with added transcriptions and translations. She has written one monograph, edited five anthologies, and published dozens of articles in print. She has been awarded all or parts of 14 grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and over 11 years of funding from the National Park Service for books and Indigenous-authored online curriculum, Honoring Tribal Legacies. She recently held the Kislak Chair at the Library of Congress (2022–23) in recognition of her work with Nahuatl.

Moderators

K'iche Moderator - Pedro Tambriz Och

ptambriz@mayanlanguages.wiki

I was born amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Guatemalan highlands, surrounded by the rich cultural tapestry of the K’iche’ people. My first language was K’iche’, a cornerstone of my identity. As I grew, I realized the significance of communication and pursued Spanish and English, which opened new possibilities and connections with the wider world.Fueled by a thirst for knowledge and the desire to make a difference, I embarked on my academic journey, majoring in Computer Information Technology at Brigham Young University – Idaho, online. In 2017, I took a leap of faith into the world of professional interpretation as an independent contractor. Using my knowledge of K’iche’, Spanish, English, Q’eqchi’, and even Achi, I started providing vital services in medical, educational, legal, and community settings. Over the years I have discovered the power of written language. My translation and interpretation diploma (awarded by La Academia de Lenguas Mayas de Guatemala (ALMG) for K’iche’ as further driven my commitment to my craft.My life’s journey reminds me of the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of language. From humble beginning in the Guatemala highlands to my present-day endeavors as a multilingual interpreter and computer information technology specialist, I’ve embraced new challenges and opportunities along the way. Connecting people through words has not only changed lives but also exemplified the profound impact one individual can have on the world by celebrating and preserving the rich tapestry of languages and cultures. As I continue in this effort of language preservation I am excited to work in this community effort and hope to inspire others who have the desire to celebrate our cultures and languages.

Kaqchikel Moderator - Henry Per

henryproducer4506@gmail.com

Hello to all. My name is Henry Per and I am 29 years old and I am part of the Mayan Languages Preservation Project. What MasterWord and the Mayan Languages Preservation Project is doing to preserve Mayan languages is something that we as native Guatemalans all have wanted to do at certain times, which is to preserve our languages. This is our heritage and the language, our identity. Because of this, I am very excited to be working on this project. Being an interpreter and a translator is hard work, it os not easy. But I feel the support of MasterWord and the Mayan Languages Preservation Project that is giving us a space and an opportunity to work on this amazing project. I am sure that this work will bless many people and families around the world, just as it has done with mine. Thank you so much for everyone's support and collaboration. I am very excited to see this project grow.

K'iche Moderator - Natasha Hewitt

nhewitt@mayanlanguages.wiki

My husband and I enjoyed living in the mountainous region of Guatemala for 10 years. In that time, we learned the local language K'iche. As someone who believes all languages are beautiful and deserve to be respected. I enjoy not only interpreting but also continuing to learn more about the K'iche language and its native speakers. Currently I live in Mexico and have traveled to many places around the world and thus far I can say Guatemala is truly unique!

K'iche Moderator - Adriel Hewitt

We, the administrators, moderators, and contributors of The Mayan Languages Preservation Project wish to express our love, respect, and admiration for the life and legacy of Adriel Hewitt. On February 17, 2024, Adriel passed unexpectedly, leaving those who knew him in shock and sadness. Adriel was a positive person who left an indelible mark of kindness on all who he encountered. He lived a life of service and love for all peoples, striving always as an advocate for those in need of assistance and a champion of language access and rights. A dedicated husband, to his wonderful Natasha, Adriel was ever by her side on life’s journey where, together, they were able to experience life through a shared joy of living amongst friends throughout Guatemala and Mexico. Adriel’s life of service and love brought him to our project and he fulfilled a vital role in its earliest days in ensuring that every letter was precise, every glottal stop included, and every term true to the speakers of K’iche’ Maya with who he worked.

Originally from Canada, Adriel Hewitt had always shown a keen interest in others and was always looking out for those in need of spiritual, economic, or community support. He was an active member of his community and dedicated many hours each month to volunteer work. It was thanks to his generous and selfless attitude that he along with his wife, Natasha, set out to live in Guatemala where they enjoyed becoming part of the K’iche’ community in Chichicastenango, Guatemala. There they both learned K’iche’ and made lifelong friendships with families that to this day still refer to Adriel as “wachalal” ( my Brother). After his unexpected passing in February 2024 he has left behind a legacy that continues to encourage others to not only learn other languages but to show genuine interest in people themselves. His hard work is reflected in his contributions to this project. May his love for languages, cultures, and particularly the dedication and efforts that he poured into these pages represent a legacy of love for Mayan languages and the people he served in the communities of Guatemala and Mexico. We miss you, qachalal, your written words inspire us every day to give honor to all who are in need of a helping hand.

K'iche Moderator - Misael Itzep

mitzep@masterword.com

Languages spoken: K’iche, Achi, Spanish and English.

Occupation:Interpreter

Place of residence: I live in the beautiful state of California

I am very enthusiastic about being part of this project, I believe that it is important to preserve the Mayan languages, not only in the forms spoken locally, but also at the level of the needs of migrant groups that are beginning to develop in another country and in another language.

Q’eqchi’ Moderator - Claudia Pacay Col, Licenciada

cpacay@mayanlanguages.wiki

I’m an indigenous woman born in a unified family of Q’eqchi’ speakers in Guatemala with the will to succeed in life and the ability to be an agent of change and show pride in my roots. I learned my native language with my parents and siblings in the home and learned Spanish with my teachers in school. While I was in 8th grade, I applied for an English scholarship sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala for 4 years. Since childhood, my parents taught us the importance of education and hard work to accomplish our goals. Since then, and up to now, I understand that studying is the best way to invest in yourself! We were empowered to be successful in life! I currently work as an interpreter for Q’eqchi’ to English and vice versa since 2015 for social services, as well as in legal, health, and educational functions.

Being the first woman speaking three languages in my rural community is one great step in my life. I’m being an agent of change because I’m communicating that no matter the distance, language and social status, if you have the will to change yourself all is possible. Of this I am sure. Our country is beautiful and rich, therefore we are lucky to be born in this natural paradise. I’m proud of my roots and culture.

Q'eqchi' Moderator - Arturo Antonio Chinchilla

I come from the beautiful hamlet of Seococ in the mountains above the Polochic Valley. I feel that language preservation, in particular our Mayan languages, and my Q'eqchi' language is a most necessary endeavor. Preservation will ensure its survival for all of our descendants that follow us in the years to come. There are some who reject their native languages and we must work together to remind them of its beauty and importance to the world. We are involved in this work so that our languages do not die and that they may remain strong just as we remain strong, our language, our communities, and our culture must also remain strong. For that reason our work and speaking our languages is very important.

Q'eqchi Moderator - Marlon Choc Maaz

mchocmaaz@mayanlanguages.wiki

My name is Marlon Choc, I was born and live in Cobán, a city in the central highlands of Guatemala, where I enjoy the natural beauty and cultural diversity of my region. I'm a native speaker of Q'eqchi, a Mayan language spoken in Guatemala and Belize. I speak English and Spanish fluently and work as a remote interpreter and translator. I am currently pursuing a degree in business management at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala. I am passionate about my Mayan language and identity and like to share my knowledge and experience with others. I collaborate with various entities and organizations to provide high-quality linguistic services and foster intercultural dialogue. I am always curious and willing to learn new things and challenge myself. I am a skillful and enthusiastic multilingual professional who respects his roots and embraces diversity. I am passionate about my Mayan heritage and love to share my knowledge and skills with others. I enjoy reading, traveling and learning new things.

Chuj Moderator - Maria Gaspar, CHI-Spanish, Core CHI-P (Chuj)

mgaspar@mayanlanguages.wiki

Q'anjob'al Moderator - Gaspar Tomas

gtomas@masterword.com

"Txajineq'teq' hemasanil, jun skawil hek'ul, k'al hewatx' jayub'al"   Greetings and a warm welcome to all. My name is Gaspar Tomas. Maya Interpreter (Q'anjob'al and Akateko), Graphic Designer of Maya Iconography, and founder of Neo-Q'anjob'al(Maya youth group). First Generation Maya American, born and raised in Laurens, South Carolina with roots from Jolom Konob' (Santa Eulalia) and Paiconop Grande (San Miguel Acatán) Huehuetenango, Guatemala. As a descendant and speaker of both linguistic groups, I've made it a personal goal to revive and replant as much of our ancestral knowledge within the borders of the U.S. so that the younger generation may be exposed to their ancestral identity. With this being said, I'm beyond excited to be part of this marvelous project and ready to overcome any challenges. So that this project may thrive and flourish with both ancient and modern knowledge, to provide a voice to the grandsons and granddaughters of all Maya nations in this ever-changing world.

Mam Moderator - Sindy Villagrez

svillagrez@mayanlanguages.wiki

Hola, mi nombre es Sindy Villagrez soy de guatemalteca nací en el Departamento de Quetzaltenango una ciudad típica de Guatemala llena de grandes patrimonios Mayas, arquitecturas coloniales y enormes volcanes. Actualmente vivo en el municipio de Concepción Chiquirichapa tierra de las papas, mi primer idioma es el mam , soy hablante mam por papá , mamá es decir desde los abuelos , un idioma hablado en los departamentos de San Marcos, Huehuetenango, Quetzaltenango y Retalhuleu en el altiplano de Guatemala. Hablo, leo y escribo Mam y español, trabajo en el Proyecto Lingüístico, Francisco Marroquín enseñando idioma Mam. Soy una persona muy orgullosa de sus raíces, idioma, culturas y tradiciones, me gusta hablar y compartir mis tradiciones y cultura también me gusta aprender y respetar otras culturas así mismo me siento orgullosa y muy feliz de formar parte de este proyecto y que cada persona que visite esta página se siente confiada e irse feliz con el resultado de su investigación.

Mayan Languages Preservation Project Coordinator- Dulce Maria Horn, Licenciada

dhorn@masterword.com

Dulce María Horn (she/ella) is a community activist and organizer who works primarily with immigrant rights. Her journey as an activist began at the tender age of two when she joined the anti-war movement with the encouragement of her father.

Throughout her life, she has been involved in a wide range of movements, from anti-war to human/child rights to immigrant rights. For the past 10 years, Dulce has supported a non-profit organization, Camino Seguro, located in Guatemala City, Guatemala. From 2018 to 2021, she worked with Comunidades Undias, a non-profit organization in Utah, USA, taking on many roles, including Youth Leader and Voter Empowerment Organizer. From 2020 to 2023, she worked with Whittier College’s Center for Engaging with Communities to connect the college with the surrounding area.

As an international adoptee from San Marcos, Guatemala, Dulce feels a deep connection to Guatemala and Latin America as a whole. She maintains these vital connections through family, language, and culture. She reconnected with her birth family at the age of fifteen. Her families, birth and adoptive, guide and support her in reconnecting with her identity. As a bilingual adoptee (Spanish/English), Dulce feels relatively privileged, in comparison to many non-bilingual adoptees. Language unites people. Language connects people to their past and present. Dulce deeply understands how language and culture are interconnected. Using her language skills, the world opened up to her and allowed her to connect to different peoples and cultures. At present, Dulce is embarking on a new journey — learning Mam, an Indigenous language of Guatemala and Mexico. Before the genocide in Guatemala, her birth family spoke Mam but in the years since, the language has been lost to them. She hopes to reunite the past with the present through her study of Mam.

Dulce graduated cum laude class of 2023 from Whittier College (Los Angeles, CA) with a Bachelor of Arts in Global and Cultural Studies and Spanish, with a minor in Political Science.

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Centro Tecnológico Bilingüe, San Miguel, Tucuru. Alta Verapaz, Guatemala - Q'eqchi' and Spanish Collaborative Partner

Administrador@ctb.edu.gt

We are a technological, educational, comprehensive, bilingual, intercultural, evolutionary, organized, efficient, and opportunity-generating center for meaningful learning, with trained and committed professional staff in the constant formation of students; to improve their personal development based on principles, values, linguistic diversity, ecological awareness, and a culture of peace, in the municipality of San Miguel Tucurú, Department of Alta Verapaz.

The Bilingual Technological Center was authorized on January 18, 2021, under Departmental Resolution - AC No. 50-2021, issued by the Departmental Directorate of Education of Alta Verapaz. We are located in Barrio La Vega, Municipality of Tucurú, department of Alta Verapaz. In our country, one of the biggest barriers to individual and collective development is the inefficient education of a traditional system that is no longer applicable to the technological and pedagogical changes of today. Therefore, our fundamental objective is to provide quality education; which implies a sacrifice and greater effort for the benefit of children and young people. Our teachers are trained to provide effective education in the area of reading and writing from the early grades, fundamental bases for the following years of schooling. Most of our teachers work without receiving a monthly salary; however, they carry out efficient work worthy of admiration. Our motto is: Bilingual Technological Center "A different way of learning."

We are proud to collaborate with the Mayan Languages Preservation Project to ensure equal access to our languages in all manners of life and learning. We are also committed to the preservation of our Mayan languages through the National Base Curriculum and through institutions that support such projects, motivating students to become bilingual individuals and professionals by learning a Mayan language, Spanish, and English. Our regional Mayan languages are primarily Q'eqchi' and Poqomchi'.

The Mayan Languages Preservation Project is directed by Dr. Winston Scott, PhD

wscott@masterword.com

MASTERWORD and MASTERWORD INSTITUTE: OUR SUPPORT FOR THE MAYAN LANGUAGES PRESERVATION PROJECT

MasterWord Services, Inc. is more than a global leading language services provider. For over three decades, we've been there alongside public organizations, NGOs, healthcare systems, and educational institutions, providing language and communication access to ensure no language and no person is left behind. MasterWord has been actively involved with both the Unesco Year and Decade of Indigenous Languages and has been an advocate for language preservation and language access.

Although this platform and initial funding for the project were provided by MasterWord, the project success is ensured by the Mayan language communities who are actively participating to bring their languages into a wide-ranging digital format. It is a site led by Indigenous Mayan language speakers and for Mayan language speakers. We believe that the sucess of this project can become a roadmap for language preservation and eventually full digital presense for other communities.

MasterWord’s founder and CEO, Ludmila Golovine, developed an interest in Mayan languages, both past and present, by way of ancestry. The great grandniece of an accomplished epigrapher and ethnographer, Yuri Knorozov, Ludmila has a personal connection to language revitalization and preservation. Yuri’s documentation and analysis of Mayan writing systems is widely credited as a major step in the eventual decipherment of ancient Mayan script. Ludmila is following in her great-uncle’s footsteps by providing support for contemporary Mayan language speakers as the wage into the waters of tomorrow. “I would like to see Mayan languages and culture thriving and fully digitally present as an equitable member of the global community fully engaging in educational and economic opportunities available on the digital crossroads of tomorrow.”

Alex Chulzhanov

achulzhanov@masterword.com

Alexander Chulzhanov specializes in digital marketing, web development, and site administration at MasterWord Services, Inc. With a self-taught background in graphic design and front-end web development, he is proficient in various PHP-based content management systems, including WordPress, Drupal, and MediaWiki. Alex has a deep-seated passion for technology that extends beyond software and development; he is also fascinated by robotics, machinery, and mechanical systems.

Alex enjoys using his skills to contribute to the Mayan Languages Preservation Project and its many components, such as the open-source glossary, where he helps facilitate the preservation and promotion of indigenous languages through technology.

When he’s not immersed in web development, Alex enjoys a diverse range of hobbies. He’s an avid motorsports enthusiast and enjoys photography and aerial videography in multiple disciplines from karting to motorcycles to racecars. Additionally, he explores the world of 3D printing, continually seeking new creative outlets and technological challenges.

Abigail Blatter

ablatter@masterword.com

I am Abigail Blatter from Salt Lake City Utah. I am studying Computer Science and Chinese at the University of Utah. I am an intern working with the Mayan Language Preservation Project. I have been passionate about preserving languages, and cultures for years. I am excited to be apart of this Project.

Wyatt Bruchhauser

wbruchauser@masterword.com

I am from Wyatt Bruchhauser from Eagle Mountain, Utah. I am studying Software Development at the University of Utah with a minor in Anthropology and a certificate in Computational Linguistics. I am a Coding Intern with The Mayan Language Preservation Project. The Mayan Language Preservation Project has been the perfect internship for me because not only do I combine my passions of understanding people and building technology, but I contribute to a project that is having a real positive impact into people’s lives while preserving the cultural beauty of the world.

Alice McVicker

amcvicker@masterword.com

Hi! I’m Alice McVicker. I’m a senior at the University of Utah double majored in Computer Science and Linguistics, with a minor in Chinese. As a linguistics student and Chinese-American, preserving minority languages in the face of adversity is close to my heart. I’m super excited to be working on this project!

Chris Marston

Chris is an aspiring software engineer with degrees in computer science and anthropology who enjoys using technology to solve problems that make a positive impact on people's lives. Outside of work, you'll find Chris running, hiking, reading, drawing, and playing D&D.

Cameron Kato

Cameron is a software intern working on the Mayan Language preservation project. He is pursuing a degree in Data Science with a Minor in Fintech and Applied Mathematics at the University of Utah. Their skills in debugging, developing, and designing code aims to help preserve the Mayan language and culture.

Jack Revoy

I’m Jack, a senior at Rowland Hall. I’m interested in computer science and computer engineering and have been a part of my school’s robotics team for the past three years. I also like volunteering and making a difference, so I am excited to be part of this project that combines these two interests.

Elena Vega

My name is Elena and I’m a student at the University of Utah. I enjoy technology and linguistics and especially the intersection between the two. I like working with local communities as a means to explore my surroundings and am always excited to meet new people!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Language Services for Mayan Languages