Chalchiteko Interpreters and Translators: A Quick Guide

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

For the Chalchiteko, 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 Chalchiteko language, why the Chalchiteko are migrating, and the help interpreters can provide as they settle in the United States.

Who speaks Chalchiteko?

Chalchiteko, also spelled Chalchiteco, Chalchitec, or Chalchitek, is primarily spoken in Aguacatán, a town located in the western highlands of Guatemala. Approximately 30,000 people speak Chalchiteko. 

Chalchiteko belongs to the Mayan language family and is most closely related to Awakateko. The similarities between the two languages have raised questions over whether they are variants of the same language or distinct languages. However, in 2003, Chalchiteko was officially recognized as a separate Mayan language, ending this assumption. It does not have any major or mutually unintelligible variants.

Oral traditions indicate the Chalchitek people once called themselves “B'ali'm Wunak”, meaning "tiger men." The term "Chalchiteko" derives from the name of the region where the language is primarily spoken, Chalchitán, and the name Chalchitán comes from the Nahuatl word for “green.” Chalchitán was later annexed to Aguacatán in 1881. Based on archaeological evidence, Chalchitán, which was originally known as Casa Jaguar (Jaguar House), was in existence for over 800 years before the Spanish arrived. 

Why are the Chalchiteko migrating?

Guatemala has a long history of migration owing to years of violence, economic instability, and systemic inequality. The Chalchiteko, like many other Indigenous communities, have been subject to discrimination and socio-economic exclusion for centuries, which has ultimately marginalized them in Guatemalan society. Most communities lack access to basic services like healthcare and education. These historical inequalities, combined with present-day challenges, continue to influence migration patterns.

Nearly half of Guatemala’s population lives in poverty, with millions experiencing food insecurity. The lack of employment opportunities makes finding stable employment extremely difficult, ultimately driving many Chalchiteko to migrate and look for work abroad.

Natural disasters add to their challenges, and government inaction makes recovering from them nearly impossible. Droughts and hurricanes throughout Central America have destroyed crops and resulted in lower yields. In turn, these communities lose both their primary source of income and food.

Though the homicide rate has decreased, violence, especially against Indigenous populations, remains widespread throughout Guatemala. The rise of transnational drug cartels and extortion, which mostly target small businesses, only worsens already unsafe conditions.

The Roles And Importance Of Chalchiteko Interpreters

Chalchiteko 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 Chalchiteko 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 Chalchiteko interpreters are indispensable.

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

Chalchiteko interpreters are in short supply in the U.S., with healthcare and the justice system being the most affected sectors. Many scenarios involving legal or immigration settings require the interpreter to be a US citizen or resident, which creates even further challenges for Chalchiteko speakers needing interpretation services. This shortage leaves many Chalchiteko speakers without the support they need to communicate in these systems.

Language barriers are not only difficult to deal with; they can cause irreparable damage to a person's life. Individuals risk misdiagnoses, miscommunication during asylum hearings, or even being sent back to the dangerous conditions they fled in their country of origin. Providing Chalchiteko speakers with language access is fundamental for their safety as well as their integration into U.S. society.

Work With A Chalchiteko Interpreter from Maya Bridge 

At Maya Bridge, we offer language services for Chalchiteko, including U.S.-based and authorized interpreters, to provide your organization with comprehensive linguistic support. Since 2021, we have provided Chalchiteko 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 Chalchiteko interpretation, 24 hours a day.

We offer:

• Video Remote Chalchiteko Interpretation 

• Over-the-phone Chalchiteko Interpretation 

• In-person Chalchiteko Interpretation 

• Court-certified Chalchiteko Interpretation

• Medical-certified Chalchiteko Interpretation

• Chalchiteko Translation

• Chalchiteko 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 100 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.

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.