Tzotzil Interpreters and Translators: A Quick Guide
Maya Bridge Language Services
The nation's leading provider for indigenous language services with on-demand support in over 80 indigenous languages.
As the Tzotzil 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 Tzotzil interpreters step in and help migrants integrate safely into their new surroundings.
For the Tzotzil, 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 Tzotzil language, why the Tzotzil are migrating, and the support interpreters can provide them as they settle in the United States.
Who speaks Tzotzil?
Tzotzil, also spelled Tsotsil, is spoken by over half a million people, according to 2020 census data. The name “Tzotzil” comes from the ancient Mayan word for bat, tzotz or sotz’. It is thought that the Tzotzil people had deep and even spiritual connections with bats and the Mayan bat god, Camazotz. Many speakers of Tzotzil often refer to themselves as Sotz’leb’ or “bat people.”? Native speakers refer to their language as Bats'i k'op, which means "original language" or “true words.”. It is one of the most widely spoken languages in Mexico and is one of the largest of the 30 Mayan languages still spoken today.
From a linguistic and cultural perspective, Tzotzil is most closely related to Tzeltal, both of which form the Tzeltalan subgroup of the Mayan language family. A total of six variants exist, all named after the regions in Chiapas where they are spoken. The mutual intelligibility between these variants varies by region.
Before the Spanish conquest, the Tzotzil people were active traders, exporting and trading goods like quetzal feathers, amber, and salt. Their first contact with the Spanish was in 1522 when tax collectors arrived in Chiapas. The following year, Spanish forces attempted to conquer Chiapas but encountered strong resistance from the Tzotzil. Still, despite their best efforts, the Spanish eventually gained control by 1528. In more recent history, the Mexican Revolution of 1911 brought an end to the serfdom of the Tzotzil people. However, they continue to experience poor working conditions to this day.
The Tzotzil, or bats’il winik’otik ("true men"/”true people”) as they sometimes refer to themselves in their language, are largely subsistence farmers. They cultivate corn, beans, squash, and cash crops, often using traditional methods like slash-and-burn farming. Sheep are raised for wool and many also raise other livestock such as chickens, turkeys, and pigs. Houses are constructed using traditional building methods, such as wattle and daub, and usually have thatched roofs. They typically build their homes around a central village.
Why are the Tzotzil migrating?
Mexico has experienced a surge in forced displacement in recent years, disproportionately affecting Indigenous communities. In 2018 alone, approximately 11,500 people were displaced because of conflict, with over half belonging to Indigenous groups. Rural Chiapas was especially hard hit, with nearly all the displaced residents coming from Tzotzil communities.?
Tzotzil communities face life-threatening dangers in the fight against systemic oppression. In 2024, the assassination of Marcelo Pérez, a Tzotzil priest and peace activist, marked a tragic milestone as the seventh human rights activist killed in Mexico that year. Tragedies like these are common, as Indigenous activists rarely receive government protection. Pérez’s death illustrates how ongoing violence hinders advocacy efforts, creates an environment of fear, and ultimately drives individuals to migrate for safety.
Tzotzil communities in Chiapas have long advocated for their collective land rights and sovereignty, often at the expense of violence. Their efforts are frequently met with violence, including armed attacks that go unpunished. In light of the lack of repercussions, many families and individuals have fled the area to escape further attacks.
Land disputes are a long-standing issue in Chiapas. Despite some progress, violence, such as forced evictions at gunpoint, and the absence of government action, continue to drive the Tzotzil people from their homes and displace thousands.?
An increasing number of Tzotzil people have recently converted to the Islamic faith, particularly in the San Cristobal las Casas region, setting them apart from the 83% of Mexicans who are Catholic.?
The Roles And Importance Of Tzotzil Interpreters
Tzotzil 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 Tzotzil 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 Tzotzil interpreters are indispensable.?
Besides providing language assistance, interpreters are also integral to intercultural communication. Having an interpreter who understands both American and Tzotzil cultures can help make communication smoother and less stressful for both sides.
The limited number of Tzotzil interpreters creates a lot of challenges, especially in sensitive areas like healthcare and the justice system. This shortage heightens language barriers, making it difficult for Tzotzil speakers to go through the immigration process and adapt to life in the U.S.
Without language support, the consequences can be devastating. Individuals might receive the wrong medical treatment, may not express themselves properly at an asylum hearing, or may not fully comprehend their legal rights.??
Work With A Tzotzil Interpreter from Maya Bridge?
At Maya Bridge, we offer language services for Tzotzil and all of its variants to provide your organization with comprehensive linguistic support. Since 2021, we have provided Tzotzil 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 Tzotzil interpretation, 24 hours a day.
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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 90 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.