As the Chuj 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 Chuj interpreters step in and help migrants integrate safely into their new surroundings.
For the Chuj, 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 Chuj language, why the Chuj are migrating, and the support interpreters can provide them as they settle in the United States.
Who speaks Chuj?
Chuj (pronounced Choo) is a Mayan language primarily spoken in the northwestern part of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. With only about 50,000 speakers, Chuj is considered an endangered language. Large Chuj-speaking communities can also be found in the United States, especially in the Midwest.
A member of the Q’anjob’alan branch of the Mayan language family, Chuj belongs to the Chujean subgroup alongside Tojolab’al, the language it is most closely related to. Chuj has two variants, San Mateo Ixtatán and San Sebastián Coatán, which are often not mutually intelligible.
The Chuj lost most of their communal land in the late 19th century when the Guatemalan government transferred it to wealthy landowners, the result of which led many Chuj to fall into poverty. After fighting to keep their lands in the high mountains, they earned a reputation as rebels.
Chuj salt production, practiced for centuries in San Mateo Ixtatán, involves extracting salt from natural brine springs using evaporation techniques passed down through generations. Produced in small family-run businesses with clay basins and wood-fired ovens, San Mateo’s black salt is an important part of the local economy and is highly valued for its medicinal properties.
Chuj culture is also characterized by storytelling. The Chuj have preserved a rich oral tradition that records their ancestral knowledge and includes myths, legends, and accounts of local and current events like their salt production and the beginnings of Guatemala’s state-sponsored genocide (in which they were one of the four main Indigenous groups targeted). They will often incorporate elements from African and European cultures in their stories and also share them in communal settings.
Why are the Chuj migrating?
Indigenous communities in Guatemala including the Chuj have faced discrimination, human rights abuses, and violence for decades, with no improvement since the genocide in Guatemala ended. This discrimination and exclusion from society, alongside the lasting repercussions of settler colonialism, makes it harder for them to find work. Consequently, they are often limited to low-paying jobs, with many families relying on their children to work and help support the household.
Western development projects like the construction of hydropower plants have violently encroached on Chuj ancestral lands. These projects have led to deadly fights, displaced thousands of Chuj, and destroyed their lands.
Centuries of persecution, land dispossession, and systemic violence have devastated Chuj communities, leaving many with no choice but to leave their homes. It is noteworthy, however, that the Chuj, despite these hardships, have been able to preserve their cultural traditions and adapt to new surroundings.
The Roles And Importance Of Chuj Interpreters
Chuj 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 Chuj 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 Chuj interpreters are indispensable.
Besides providing language assistance, interpreters are also integral to intercultural communication. Having an interpreter who understands both American and Chuj cultures can help make communication smoother and less stressful for both sides.
As Chuj is an endangered language, its use is decreasing and fewer people are learning it. While many Chuj speakers are bilingual in Spanish, few are fluent in English. There are currently no established Chuj interpretation training or certification programs, which are required to practice in legal and medical settings. Although there are some interpreters available online, their demanding schedules and limited availability can make it difficult to get in touch with them.
Work With A Chuj Interpreter from Maya Bridge
At Maya Bridge, we offer language services for Chuj in both major variants to provide your organization with comprehensive linguistic support. Since 2021, we have provided Chuj 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 Chuj interpretation, 24 hours a day.
We offer:
Video Remote Chuj Interpretation
Over-the-phone Chuj Interpretation
In-person Chuj Interpretation
Court-certified Chuj Interpretation
Medical-certified Chuj Interpretation
Chuj Translation
Chuj Voiceover and Subtitles
Learn more about our 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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