Amuzgo Interpreters and Translators: A Quick Guide

As the Amuzgo 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 Amuzgo interpreters and translators step in and help migrants integrate safely into their new surroundings.

For the Amuzgo, whose cultural and linguistic heritage has stood the test of time, language services play a major role in bridging the gap between their traditional ways of life and the challenges of modern migration.

This blog explores the Amuzgo language, why the Amuzgo are migrating, and the help interpreters can provide as they settle in the United States.

Who speaks Amuzgo?

Amuzgo is spoken by the Indigenous Amuzgo people of Mexico, primarily in the Costa Chica region of Guerrero and Oaxaca, near the Pacific Ocean. The Amuzgos refer to themselves as Tzjon non, meaning "People of the Textiles." Spoken by approximately 60,000 people, Amuzgo ranks as the thirteenth most common indigenous language in Oaxaca.

Belonging to the Oto-Manguean language family, Amuzgo shares similarities with Mixteco. Mexico’s Instituto Nacional de Lenguas Indígenas (National Indigenous Languages Institute) officially recognizes four variants: Northern, Southern, Upper Eastern Amuzgo, and Lower Eastern. While they are mostly mutually intelligible, there are major differences between Western (Northern and Southern) and Eastern (Upper and Lower Eastern) variants.

There is little information about the origins of the Amuzgo people. One theory suggests that they migrated from the Pánuco River area, traveling through the Mexican Plateau and Puebla before arriving and establishing themselves in Oaxaca and Guerrero. Another theory, based on their oral tradition, suggests that they migrated from the Pacific islands. It is also likely that their migration to the northern edge of the Mixtec territory arose from the need to flee ethnic conflict with Mixtec communities.

The Spanish conquest in 1522 dramatically impacted Amuzgo society, as they implemented forced labor and religious conversion, driving them away and displacing them from their lands. Along with violent conflicts, the Spanish also introduced European diseases, which caused a massive decline in their population. They also brought African slaves, who eventually began settling in Amuzgo territories, further displacing the Amuzgo from their lands.

Textile production is the Amuzgo people’s most important handicraft, which is primarily done by women. Amuzgo weaving is characterized by two-dimensional designs that are woven or embroidered onto cloth. Aside from being artistic works, these intricate designs serve as a form of graphic communication that helps preserve their cultural identity.

Why are the Amuzgo migrating?

Since the late 20th century, the Amuzgo have faced growing economic and social constraints. The Amuzgo community's economy relies on subsistence farming and handicrafts, sources of income that often aren't sufficient for families. Their migration, however, is not driven only by economic reasons. They also face other threats that force them to flee their ancestral lands.

For the Amuzgo, migration is a matter of survival rather than choice. The majority live in constant danger, regularly facing violent attacks, ethnic and gender-based violence, kidnappings, and land evictions. Organized crime recruitment and cartel violence are also ongoing concerns that threaten individuals' lives and have created severe instability in their communities. These factors combined have generated extremely dangerous and insecure environments, forcing many to seek safety and asylum abroad. 

Over the past decade, violent crime in Mexico has radically altered migration patterns and has contributed to widespread internal displacement. Since 2009, estimates suggest that more than 310,000 individuals have been forcibly displaced across Mexico. In 2017 alone, 20,000 people were displaced, with Indigenous communities being the most affected. Notably, Indigenous peoples accounted for 60% of those displaced, highlighting their greater vulnerability to structural instability.

The Roles And Importance Of Amuzgo Interpreters

Amuzgo 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 Amuzgo 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 Amuzgo interpreters are indispensable. 

Besides providing language assistance, interpreters are also integral to intercultural communication. Having an interpreter who understands both American and Amuzgo cultures can help make communication smoother and less stressful for both sides.

Amuzgo's geographic concentration and limited number of speakers make finding interpreters difficult. Most people often overlook Indigenous languages like Amuzgo, relying instead on Spanish interpreters, resulting in many having limited access in critical situations, such as in courts or hospitals.

This language disparity restricts Amuzgo speakers' access to healthcare, legal aid, and social services. Without language services, they are at risk of misdiagnoses, unfair legal decisions, and unjust deportations. Amuzgo speakers need access to qualified interpreters to have a clear understanding of their circumstances and exercise their fundamental right to language access in the U.S.

Work With An Amuzgo Interpreter from Maya Bridge 

We offer language services for Amuzgo and all of its variants. Our Amuzgo-to-English interpretation services are trusted by government agencies, healthcare providers, and courts across the country. As a small, niche agency specializing in Indigenous languages, we are uniquely equipped to deliver on-demand Amuzgo interpretation, 24 hours a day.

We offer:

• Video Remote Amuzgo Interpretation 

• Over-the-phone Amuzgo Interpretation 

• In-person Amuzgo Interpretation 

• Court-certified Amuzgo Interpretation

• Medical-certified Amuzgo Interpretation

• Amuzgo Translation

• Amuzgo Voiceover and Subtitles

Learn more about our language services here. 

Maya Bridge - A Leading Advocate For Indigenous and Lower-resource Language Access In The U.S.

At Maya Bridge Language Services, we’re a mission-driven interpretation agency offering 24/7 on-demand services. We proudly provide interpretation in over 230 languages, including more than 145 Indigenous and low-diffusion languages from Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Native American communities.

Since 2021, we have worked diligently to mobilize, train, and evaluate a network of hundreds of interpreters both in the U.S. and throughout the world. Our growing network of trained interpreters ensures that Indigenous language speakers are heard and understood in critical moments, from healthcare to legal settings and access to government services.

Contact us to schedule a meeting or call us anytime, day or night, at (801) 753-8568.

About the Author

Jace Norton is a Q'eqchi' interpreter and linguist with an extensive background in the Q'eqchi' language. Norton lived and worked among the Q'eqchi' people from 2010-2012, created a language learning guide for Q'eqchi' in 2014, and worked in Q'eqchi' translation and interpretation from 2017-2021. In 2021, Norton founded Maya Bridge Language Services and is now a leading advocate for Mayan language access in the US.