As the Popti' 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 Popti' interpreters step in and help migrants integrate safely into their new surroundings.
For the Popti', 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 Popti' language, why the Popti' are migrating, and the support interpreters can provide them as they settle in the United States.
Who speaks Popti'?
Approximately 90,000 people in Guatemala and about 400 in Mexico speak Popti’, also known as Jakalteko. It is primarily spoken in Huehuetenango, Guatemala and the eastern part of Chiapas, Mexico.
The word "Jakalteko" comes from the name of the town where Popti’ is primarily spoken, Jacaltenango, a name given to the town by the Nahuatl. It means "people of the jacal," a Spanish translation of the Nahuatl word, xacatli, meaning a small traditional adobe-style house traditionally found in Mexico and the Southwestern United States.
The Popti' language belongs to the Q'anjobalan branch of the Mayan language family and is closely related to Akateko and Q'anjob'al. It has two variants: Eastern and Western Popti'. Verbal communication is possible between speakers of the two variants, but written communication, as with nearly all Mayan languages, is not utilized much by the people.
Since pre-Columbian times, the Popti’ have lived near the foothills of the Cuchumatán Mountains. This region’s governmental, religious, and market hub is Jacaltenango, a plateau town 1,437 meters above sea level with neighboring villages at higher and lower elevations.
Living in a more remote region meant they were further away from Spanish colonial centers and lived in considerable isolation for many years. Thanks to this isolation, they managed to preserve most of their cultural practices, such as traditional agricultural techniques and, in some communities, the use of the blowgun for hunting small game.
Over the past few decades, large numbers of Popti' have migrated to the United States, especially South Florida. They have established communities in West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Indiantown, Homestead, and Lake Worth.
Why are the Popti' migrating?
Like many Indigenous communities, the Popti’ are often driven to migrate because of long-term marginalization, poverty, and social exclusion.
In terms of social development, Guatemala has some of the lowest social development indicators among Latin American countries because of its high levels of crime, insecurity, and social inequalities. The impact of this is particularly felt by Indigenous populations.
Aside from that, climate change has deteriorated living conditions for the Popti’. Natural disasters, such as droughts, have severely damaged crops, their most important source of income, and land in the region. With no government support, these communities cannot recover and find themselves trapped in perpetual poverty and food insecurity.
The rise of gang-based extortion is leaving communities in increasingly unstable environments. Small businesses are often targeted for extortion, further crippling economic prospects and worsening already challenging conditions.
For the Popti’, migration is rarely driven by a single reason. Instead, it results from a combination of challenges. Families and individuals seek a better, safer life and more economic opportunities, all of which their country does not provide. After years of societal neglect, an uncertain future, and an unstable reality, many see migration as their only chance for survival.
The Roles And Importance Of Popti' Interpreters
Popti' 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 Popti' 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 Popti' interpreters are indispensable.
Besides providing language assistance, interpreters are also integral to intercultural communication. Having an interpreter who understands both American and Popti' cultures can help make communication smoother and less stressful for both sides.
As Popti' speakers are comparatively few, there are fewer interpreters. This scarcity creates a language barrier that can compromise medical treatment and legal assistance, often leading to devastating consequences for individuals during their immigration process and as they adapt to living in the U.S.
Without access to reliable language services, Popti’ speakers will have difficulty getting medical attention, understanding their legal cases, and accurately expressing themselves during asylum hearings.
Work With A Popti' Interpreter from Maya Bridge
At Maya Bridge, we offer language services for Popti' and all of its variants to provide your organization with comprehensive linguistic support. Since 2021, we have provided Popti' 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 Popti' interpretation, 24 hours a day.
We offer:
Video Remote Popti' Interpretation
Over-the-phone Popti' Interpretation
In-person Popti' Interpretation
Court-certified Popti' Interpretation
Medical-certified Popti' Interpretation
Popti' Translation
Popti' 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 80 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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