The Life of Our Language
Kaqchikel Maya Maintenance, Shift, and Revitalization
Susan Garzon author R McKenna Brown author Julia Becker Richards author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:University of Texas Press
Published:1st Aug '98
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
"This is a very readable book, which, without sacrificing accuracy, will be understandable, useful, and interesting to the general reader; and it will be vital reading for students of Maya studies, both with linguistic and social interests." -- Brian Stross, Professor of Anthropology, University of Texas at Austin
How a Mayan language changes and is maintained within its culture.
The native Maya peoples of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize have been remarkably successful in maintaining their cultural identity during centuries of contact with and domination by outside groups. Yet change is occurring in all Mayan communities as contact with Spanish-speaking Ladino society increases. This book explores change and continuity in one of the most vital areas of Mayan culture—language use.
The authors look specifically at Kaqchikel, one of the most commonly spoken Mayan languages. Following an examination of language contact situations among indigenous groups in the Americas, the authors proceed to a historical overview of the use of Kaqchikel in the Guatemalan Highlands. They then present case studies of three highland communities in which the balance is shifting between Kaqchikel and Spanish. Wuqu' Ajpub', a native Kaqchikel speaker, gives a personal account of growing up negotiating between the two languages and the different world views they encode. The authors conclude with a look at the Mayan language revitalization movement and offer a scenario in which Kaqchikel and other Mayan languages can continue to thrive.
ISBN: 9780292728141
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 454g
255 pages