{"id":61777,"date":"2011-11-29T13:40:56","date_gmt":"2011-11-29T12:40:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sorosoro.org\/?p=61777"},"modified":"2025-10-21T22:12:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T20:12:22","slug":"daily-phrases-in-kaqchikel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sorosoro.org\/en\/2011\/11\/daily-phrases-in-kaqchikel\/","title":{"rendered":"Daily Phrases in Kaqchikel"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here we are in Guatemala <\/strong>among the Kaqchikel<\/strong>, one of the area\u2019s Maya communities. We\u2019re joined by Jos\u00e9 Alfredo Obdulio Per\u00e9n Gabino<\/strong>, who introduces us to common Kaqchikel expressions: the white man, I\u2019m hungry, I\u2019m sleepy, I want to walk, I want to dance, and as always, I love you…<\/p>\n

See all videos in Kaqchikel<\/a><\/p>\n

Read description sheet on Kaqchikel<\/a><\/p>\n

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Linguist<\/span>: Nikte Sis Iboy
\nImage and sound<\/span>: Jos\u00e9 Reyn\u00e8s
\nEditing<\/span>: Caroline Laurent<\/p>\n

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Kaqchikel is one of the 30 Mayan languages<\/a><\/strong> (21 are spoken in Guatemala, 9 in Mexico). It belongs to the K\u2019iche\u2019 branch, and is close to K\u2019ichee\u2019 and Tz\u2019utujiil.
\nMost speakers of Kaqchikel live in the volcanic region of Chimaltenango, in central-western Guatemala, near Lake Atitl\u00e1n. It\u2019s a poor area, essentially rural, where corn farming plays an extensive role. Kaqchikel is one of the most widely spoken Mayan languages, along with K\u2019ichee\u2019, Yukateko, Wasteko, Mam, and Q\u2019eqchi. The number of people who speak Kaqchikel is estimated around half a million, most of whom are Spanish bilinguals.
\nDespite accounts of a promising demography, Kaqchikel lacks diffusion among the young generations and faces a serious decline<\/strong>. Thus beyond the language itself, a whole part of the Maya culture and knowledge is threatened with extinction.<\/em>