Tzeltal Interpreters and Translators: A Quick Guide

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

For the Tzeltal, whose cultural and linguistic heritage has stood the test of time, interpreters play a major role in bridging the gap between their traditional ways of life and the challenges of modern migration.

This blog explores the Tzeltal language, why the Tzeltal are migrating, and the support interpreters can provide them as they settle in the United States.

Who speaks Tzeltal?

Tzeltal, also spelled Tseltal, is spoken in central Chiapas, Mexico. With over 200,000 speakers, it is considered one of the region's most spoken Indigenous languages. Its speakers call themselves Winik Atel, meaning "Working Men."

Tzeltal is closely related to Tzotzil, both of which belong to the Tzeltalan subgroup of the Mayan language family. Until around 1200 CE, Tzeltal and Tzotzil were not recognized as separate languages. They are believed to have diverged around this time. There are four primary variants of Tzeltal: Northern, Central, Southern, and Southeastern.?

Spanish colonial rule in the early 16th century brought major changes such as conflict, forced resettlement, and the relocation of towns and congregations to Tzeltal communities. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Tzeltal were subjected to enslavement and heavy taxation and were also forced to work on Spanish plantations.

From 1720 to 1850, they regained some autonomy as colonial control weakened. However, between 1850 to 1911, Ladino (non-Indigenous Mexicans) settlers invaded and seized Tzeltal lands through bribery and force. Despite voicing their concerns to authorities, their complaints were largely ignored.

In the late 20th century, Tzeltal communities were actively involved in the Zapatista movement. This movement, rooted in anti-colonial resistance, advocates for Indigenous land reclamation, autonomy, solidarity, and rights.

Tzeltal communities rely heavily on agriculture, with maize, beans, squash, and chilies as their staple crops. Some might also raise poultry, pigs, and cattle, but they do not usually consume them. Many women still weave using backstrap looms, and wear traditional clothing like long black skirts with huipils (embroidered blouses). Men typically wear more modern-style clothing.

When it comes to legal matters, the Tzeltal practice usos y costumbres ("customs and traditions"), an Indigenous legal system that is common throughout Latin America. This framework addresses water rights, civil and criminal disputes, and political representation according to Indigenous values and governance.

Why are the Tzeltal migrating?

The Tzeltal people have long experienced economic and political marginalization, beginning during the colonial era and continuing into today. This history of injustice is largely what sparked their participation in the 1994 Zapatista uprising. However, even with their efforts, they still face oppression and are excluded from society.?

Migration has been a consistent theme throughout Tzeltal history. In the 1930s, many moved to the Lacandón Jungle in Mexico to farm and raise livestock. Eventually, the area became unlivable, forcing them to find a new place to live. In the early 1980s, thousands migrated from their traditional highland communities to urban colonias near San Cristóbal de Las Casas, the region's administrative and commercial hub located on the edge of Tzeltal territory, while others moved to homesteader settlements in the northeast of the Lacandón Jungle.

Today, the lack of economic opportunities and deteriorating environmental conditions have led many Tzeltal individuals to migrate in search of a more stable life.

While subsistence agriculture is still practiced, it is becoming less viable and has resulted in a greater reliance on wage labor and small-scale commerce. This shift reflects the increase in their dependence on the currency system, which is making their traditional lifestyles progressively difficult to maintain.

Clean water is becoming less and less available as water sources become more polluted. With water sources becoming too contaminated to use, they have begun to depend on store-bought food and drinks. Consequently, their reliance on the cash economy is only increasing and is pushing many to look for paid work in cities or abroad to support their families.

The Roles And Importance Of Tzeltal Interpreters

Tzeltal 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 Tzeltal 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 Tzeltal interpreters are indispensable.?

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

The U.S. faces a major shortage of Tzeltal interpreters due to the lack of Tzeltal interpretation programs, strict certification requirements, and the small number of Tzeltal speakers who are bilingual in English.?

This language disparity restricts Tzeltal speakers' access to healthcare, legal aid, and social services. Without language services, they are at risk of misdiagnoses, unfair asylum decisions, and unjust deportations. Tzeltal speakers need access to qualified interpreters to have a clear understanding of their circumstances and exercise their fundamental right to language access in the U.S.

Work With A Tzeltal Interpreter from Maya Bridge?

At Maya Bridge, we offer language services for Tzeltal and all of its variants to provide your organization with comprehensive linguistic support. Since 2021, we have provided Tzeltal 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 Tzeltal interpretation, 24 hours a day.

We offer:

• Video Remote Tzeltal Interpretation?
• Over-the-phone Tzeltal Interpretation?
• In-person Tzeltal Interpretation?
• Court-certified Tzeltal Interpretation
• Medical-certified Tzeltal Interpretation
• Tzeltal Translation
• Tzeltal 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 80 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.?