As the Achi people increasingly migrate to the United States for safety, economic opportunities, and a better quality of life, language access is one of their biggest obstacles. This is where Achi interpreters step in and help migrants integrate safely into their new surroundings.
For the Achi, whose cultural and linguistic heritage has stood the test of time, interpreters play a major role in bridging the gap between their traditional ways of life and the challenges of modern migration.
This blog explores the Achi language, why the Achi are migrating, and the support interpreters can provide them as they settle in the United States.
Who speaks Achi?
Achi is an Indigenous language predominantly spoken in Guatemala, particularly in the Baja Verapaz and El Quiché regions. It is estimated to have around 85,000 speakers.
Achi belongs to the Mayan language family and is most closely related to K’iche’. It has two primary variants: Rabinal Achi and Cubulco Achi. The pronunciation and vocabulary of these variants differ slightly from region to region, but they are overall mutually intelligible.
One of the most renowned cultural works of the Achi people is the ”Rabinal Achí” theatrical performance, a traditional play from the fifteenth century that combines song, dance, and drama to recount stories of conflict, heroism, and historical events between different Mayan communities.
This vibrant performance incorporates elaborate costumes, wooden masks, and instruments like slit drums and trumpets. Recognized as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Rabinal Achí is performed each year on the 25th of January to honor Rabinal's patron saint, Saint Paul.
Why are the Achi migrating?
In Guatemala, the development of megaprojects on Indigenous lands has led to social and environmental issues like mass displacement, human rights abuses, resource exploitation, and widespread corruption. These projects are often carried out with little regard for the rights of the Indigenous communities who have lived and depended on these lands for centuries.
One notable example is the construction of the Chixoy Dam in the 1970s in Rabinal, Baja Verapaz. Funded by the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, the project began without Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) from the Achi Maya people, who lived on and around the construction area. Authorities did not inform Achi families about the project, nor did they provide compensation for the flooding and illegal seizure of their lands. When the Achi resisted relocation, the military labeled them as “subversives” and responded with violence, massacring protestors and forcibly displacing nearly 3,000 people. By 2021, Guatemala had 64 hydroelectric projects underway, with 36 already operational, which contributes to the ongoing destruction of Indigenous lands and livelihoods.
The Achi also struggle with climate change-induced environmental conditions. Prolonged droughts and violent hurricanes have continuously hit their land over the last decade, destroying crops and causing widespread food shortages. These crop losses have also pushed many Achi families into deep poverty.
In January 2022, a Guatemalan court sentenced five former paramilitary members to 30 years in prison for violence against Achi women during the 1980s, a case initially dismissed but eventually reopened thanks to persistent advocacy efforts. This landmark case highlights the inequalities and social exclusion that affect Indigenous communities every day, particularly the lack of access to justice. Despite their success, the Achi women faced many barriers throughout the legal process, including economic barriers, discrimination, and long delays. Structural inequities like these continue to cause marginalization and exploitation, ultimately leading the Achi to migrate in search of safety and justice.
The Roles And Importance Of Achi Interpreters
Achi interpreters help migrants to express themselves and understand the information they are given, allowing them to better advocate for themselves and make more informed decisions.
Interpreters act as trusted guides for Achi migrants, guiding them through the complex U.S. immigration system, and helping them get access to medical, legal, and social services. In settings like doctor's appointments, immigration proceedings, and court hearings, qualified Achi interpreters are indispensable.
Besides providing language assistance, interpreters are also integral to intercultural communication. Having an interpreter who understands both American and Achi cultures can help make communication smoother and less stressful for both sides.
The limited number of Achi speakers consequently means that there are fewer interpreters available. Because of this shortage, professional language support is hard to find, particularly in specialized fields such as medicine and law, where specialized training and certification are required. While there are Achi interpreters available online or remotely, their services are currently in high demand, further limiting the number of clients they can support.
Achi speakers in the U.S. often struggle to access essential services because interpreters are not always available. This creates a major language barrier, especially in healthcare and the justice system, that can compromise the quality of medical care and legal representation they receive.
Work With An Achi Interpreter from Maya Bridge
At Maya Bridge, we offer language services for Achi and all of its variants to provide your organization with comprehensive linguistic support. Since 2021, we have provided Achi to English interpretation to countless government agencies, healthcare organizations, and courts. As a small, niche interpretation agency specializing in Latin American Indigenous languages, we are uniquely equipped to offer on-demand Achi interpretation, 24 hours a day.
We offer:
Video Remote Achi Interpretation
Over-the-phone Achi Interpretation
In-person Achi Interpretation
Court-certified Achi Interpretation
Medical-certified Achi Interpretation
Achi Translation
Achi Voiceover and Subtitles
Learn more about our Achi language services here.
Maya Bridge - A Leading Advocate For Latin American Indigenous Language Access In The U.S.
Since 2021, Maya Bridge Language Services has been advocating for increased access for speakers of Mayan and other Latin American and global Indigenous languages here in the United States. Maya Bridge is a mission-driven, niche interpretation agency offering 24/7 on-demand services for over 60 Indigenous languages from Latin America, as well as African, Asian, Pacific Island, Native American, and other Indigenous languages.
We have worked diligently to mobilize, train, and evaluate a network of hundreds of interpreters both in the U.S. and throughout the world to ensure that speakers of Indigenous languages can fully understand and be understood in important situations like healthcare, legal settings, in disaster and emergency response scenarios, and in receiving access to government programs.
Contact us to schedule a meeting or call us anytime, day or night, at (801) 753-8568.
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