| The Life of Our Language: Kaqchikel Maya Maintenance, Shift, and Revitalization Contributor(s): Garzon, Susan (Author), Brown, R. McKenna (Author), Richards, Julia Becker (Author) |
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ISBN: 029272814X ISBN-13: 9780292728141 Publisher: University of Texas Press OUR PRICE: $24.75 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: August 1998 Annotation: "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 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. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Social Science | Anthropology - Cultural & Social - Language Arts & Disciplines | Linguistics - General - Social Science | Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies |
| Dewey: 497.415 |
| LCCN: 97-45751 |
| Physical Information: 0.61" H x 6.11" W x 9.05" (0.70 lbs) 255 pages |
| Themes: - Cultural Region - Latin America - Cultural Region - Mexican - Ethnic Orientation - Hispanic - Ethnic Orientation - Latino - Ethnic Orientation - Native American |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: 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, with case studies of three highland communities in which the balance is shifting between Kaqchikel and Spanish. |