Latin America

Judi Lynn

(163,804 posts) Thu Jul 24, 2025, 03:41 AM Jul 24

Children's songs translated into Maya Uspantek: Aury Us' project in Guatemala [View all]

She wants to record children's songs and adapt them to video with translation into Maya Uspanteko

Written (Español) by
María Alvarez Malvido

Written (Español) by
Aura Marina Ajcot Us

Translated (English) by
Teodora C. Hasegan

Original posted 21 May 2025
Translation posted 18 July 2025

Illustration created by Marco Martínez and the Rising Voices team, used with his permission.

Meet the participants in the Catalyst Program for Digital Activism for Indigenous Languages of Guatemala! The program, coordinated by Rising Voices, brings together participants from various regions who have projects related to the use, strengthening, revitalization, and/or promotion of an Indigenous language through digital media and tools, and through processes that involve and benefit their communities.

Each participant receives a stipend, peer support, and opportunities for dialogue with people from other regions, languages, and worldviews, as well as with participants in the Mayan Languages program from Mexico and Colombia.

Rising Voices (RV): How do you like to introduce yourself?

Aury Us: I'm Aury Us, and I speak Maya Uspanteko. I'm a social worker, and the training opportunities I've had with various social issues have motivated me to get involved and contribute to different spaces and processes. Since I was little, I've loved singing and have had several goals, which I've now set out to continue training in order to achieve. My Maya Uspanteko language is a legacy from my maternal grandparents, which I treasure and value. Since I was little, my mother and grandparents taught me to speak it.

RV: What would you like to share with the world about your language and territory?

Aury Us: According to some research, the Uspantek language dates back more than 500 years. However, it is currently considered one of the minority Mayan languages in Guatemala, with fewer than 5,000 speakers. There are few of us speakers left because Spanish now predominates in the territory, and for this reason, our language is no longer promoted among children and youth.

The municipality is known as Uspantán, which comes from the Nahuatl term Uzpantlán. Some of its speakers call it Tz'unun Kaab’ in the Uspantek language, which translates to ‘Sweet Sparrow’ in Spanish.

More:
https://globalvoices.org/2025/07/18/childrens-songs-translated-into-maya-uspantek-aury-us-project-in-guatemala/

21:15

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