The Life of Our Language: Kaqchikel Maya Maintenance, Shift, and Revitalization - Softcover

Garzon, Susan; Brown, R. McKenna; Richards, Julia Becker

Softcover

ISBN 10: 029272814X ISBN 13: 9780292728141

Publisher: University of Texas Press, 1998

Synopsis

The native Maya peoples of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize have been remarkably successful in maintaining their cultural identity during centuries of contact with and domination by outside groups. Yet change is occurring in all Mayan communities as contact with Spanish-speaking Ladino society increases. This book explores change and continuity in one of the most vital areas of Mayan culture-language use.

The authors look specifically at Kaqchikel, one of the most commonly spoken Mayan languages. Following an examination of language contact situations among indigenous groups in the Americas, the authors proceed to a historical overview of the use of Kaqchikel in the Guatemalan Highlands. They then present case studies of three highland communities in which the balance is shifting between Kaqchikel and Spanish. Wuqu' Ajpub', a native Kaqchikel speaker, gives a personal account of growing up negotiating between the two languages and the different world views they encode. The authors conclude with a look at the Mayan language revitalization movement and offer a scenario in which Kaqchikel and other Mayan languages can continue to thrive.

About this title

About the Author

Susan Garzon is Associate Professor of English at Oklahoma State University. R. McKenna Brown is Associate Professor of Foreign Languages at Virginia Commonwealth University. Julia Becker Richards is Education Specialist for the Agency for International Development in Guatemala. Wuqu' Ajpub' (Arnulfo SimÓn) is Director of Bilingual Curriculum Design for the Guatemalan Ministry of Education.

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 029272814X
• ISBN 13: 9780292728141
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 255