- Usual words in Tzotzil and Spanish translation
- Most common phrases in Tzotzil and their meaning in Spanish
- References
The Tzotzil words most used by speakers of this language are "tot", which means father; "Pepen", which means butterfly; "Vo", a word that defines water; "Vinik", which refers to man; and "'ants", which refers to the woman.
Tzotzil is an Amerindian language that is part of the Mayan languages. It is mainly spoken in Mexico. Where it is most used is in the central region of the state of Chiapas, in the northwest, near the border with the state of Tabasco.
Due to migratory movements, Tzotziles are also found in the Mexican municipalities of Cintalapa, Tecpatán and Las Margaritas.
There are also some Tzotziles in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. According to the 2010 census, there are about 418,000 people who speak this language.
The history of the Tzotziles is closely related to the Tzetzales. There is no documentation that records since when they occupy the territories they currently inhabit.
Archeologically, it has been possible to demonstrate that both groups come from Guatemala, and that they share territories and eras since the 1st century BC.
Most of the Tzotziles are bilingual and have Spanish as their second language, with a few exceptions.
There are six variants of this language: Chamula, Huixteco, Ch'enalhó, San Andrés de Larrainzar, Venustiano Carranza and Zinacanteco. Although they have their differences, they are intelligible to each other. It is an unofficial language, which coexists with Spanish in a situation of inferiority.
The descendants of the Tzotziles have schools in which they are taught classes of this language. Textbook translations are also included.
In addition, several cultural cooperatives promote educational and literary programs about their traditions and history. This contributes to the preservation of their historical heritage and the preservation of their native culture.
The Bible and the New Testament were also translated into the six variants of Tzotzil.
At present, the Latin alphabet is used to write the Tzotzil, but historians claim that, together with the Tzeltal, they shared hieroglyphic writing.
It can be assured that the Spanish spoken in the Highlands of Chiapas has some influences from this language derived from the Mayan languages.
Usual words in Tzotzil and Spanish translation
Tseb = girl
Kerem = child
Tot = father
Me ' = mother
Pepen = butterfly
Nichim = flower
Chon = animal
Te ' = tree
Tsk'uxubin = to love
Vo ' = water
Bek'et = meat
Yo'on = heart
Vinik = man
'Ants = woman
'Ak'ubal = night
Kaxlan-vaj = bread
Sjol = head
Mol = old man
Me'el = old woman
K'ak'al = sun
Most common phrases in Tzotzil and their meaning in Spanish
K'us a bí = what is your name?
Jk'anojot = I love you
Toj alak'a va = you are very beautiful
Jayim a vavilal = how old are you?
K'ush cha pas = what do you do?
K'ushi oyot = how are you?
Kus cha k'an = what do you want?
Taj k'an a vish = I love your sister
Fear sha kom = goodbye
Avokoluk = please
Mu'yuk vocol = there is no reason
Smakoj yajnil li krem e = the boy has already courted his fiancee
Iyul vayuk = came to sleep
Chak kak 'be poraso = I would like to hit you
Bu li vo'e = where is the water?
Much'u 'oy ta na = who is in the house?
Muk 'li na e = the house is big
Ikril li krem ti sman li 'ixim e = I saw the boy who bought corn
References
- «Phrases in Tzotzil» in El blog del salvador patishtan (September 2011). Recovered in September 2017 from El blog del salvador patishtan in: pasatiemposchava.obolog.es
- «Tzotzil Spanish online dictionary» in Glosbe. Recovered in September 2017 from Glosbe at: es.glosbe.com
- "Tsotsil: Some words" in Batsikop (February 2010). Recovered in September 2017 from Batsikop at: batsikop.blogspot.com.ar
- «Category: Tzotzil» in Wiktionary (July 2017). Retrieved in September 2017 from Wiktionary at: es.wiktionary.org
- "Dictionary Tzotzil-Spanish and Spanish-Tzotzil" in Sil. Recovered in September 2017 from Sil at: sil.org
- "Tzotzil, Tzotzil Language" in Waking up to a new consciousness (March 2009). Recovered in September 2017 from Awakening a new consciousness in: patriciagomezsilva.com