Chapter 3: The Mystic Tongue

In my Q'eqchi outfit with my extended family

*Ma sa aach'ool? (Translated to: "Is there happiness in your heart?")*

Isn't that a beautiful greeting for an ancient, Mayan language? During the first week of Pre-Service Training, we had a host family placement interview with two of our program managers specifically to classify the volunteers into three different communities: Kriol, Mestizo, and Q'eqchi (least to most remote, respectively). As of all things with the Peace Corps, we were  told that we had a choice depending on our specifications for living conditions and language preference, but we're also forewarned that our "preferences weren't guaranteed". The questions mainly revolved around our comfortability to live in an unstructured environment with limited amenities and what are priorities were between running water, electricity, and amount of communication. 

Since the beginning of my application process, I expressed an extreme interest to carry out my service in a Latin American country in order to improve my proficiency in Spanish (a language that is practical in the medical field especially for someone who wants to work with  underdeveloped communities in Latin American countries). So then, my answers during my host family placement interview was simple and honest: I didn't care how remote I was living as long as I was able to learn Spanish. On our judgement day, to my disappointment, I was placed to live in Q'eqchi household with the expectation to learn a language that I was extremely unfamiliar with. After finding out where each trainee was placed and collecting information about their preferences, I believe that our ability to thrive in a remote community had a huge impact on our placement site, which eventually placed me in the "bush" of Valley of Peace. Since I had pledged to "serve where Peace Corps asks [me] to go, under conditions of hardships, if necessary, and with flexibility needed for effective service (core expectation #3)", I accepted my fate with an open mind and a happy heart and took this outcome as a learning opportunity to develop myself, personally and professionally.

Background:

The official language of Belize is English; however, most of the population are either bilingual or trilingual. The multitude of languages include Spanish (predominantly in the Northern districts), Creole (consummated by European slave owners and West African slaves), Garifuna (consummated by Caribbean Native-Indians and West African slave), Maya (predominantly in the Southern district), and a bit of German (surprisingly a decent amount of Mennonite communities exist throughout the country). 

Most of southern Belize locals of indigenous descent speak Q'eqchi Mayan, though some communities speak the Mopan language as well, which is more closely related to the Yukatek or Itza Maya. Although the different dialects of the indigenous natives have existed long before the Europeans colonized the Americas, the language has just recently begun to be standardized into written form. In the neighboring country of Guatemala, The Academy of Mayan Languages is developing a standard Maya alphabet. Due to the recent conformation of the language, most locals only know how to speak their native tongue and a handful recognize how to write or read it. Therefore, there are little-to-no reliable resources to learning the Mayan languages except through direct communication with native speakers.

(Reference: The Lonely Planet travel guide of Belize)

Insight:

My principal priority as a volunteer is to make even the smallest attempt to speak and learn the language of my Mayan hosts, an integral component to successfully immersing in my community, hence deepening my Peace Corps experience. Throughout my multiple interactions, I either receive blank stares or constant laughter at my funny accent; however, with persistence, I am aware that my noble attempts to learn such a language will be rewarded with the most humbling and empowering experiences that no one else can fathom. 

*Sa sa inch'ool. (Translated to: "I feel happiness in my heart.")*

Basic words and phrases:

Banuu [bah-noo] = hello (when going into someone's house)

Okan se kab'l [oh-kahn se kahb] = come into the house

Chank xawil? [chank sha-kweel] = how are you?

Q'aru yookat? [kih-aroo tyoo-kaht] = what are you doing?

Ani aakaba la'at? (ah-nee ah-kah-bah lah-aht] = what is your name?

Inkaba laain a/xGrace [in-kah-bah lah-in ish-Grace] = my name is Grace

**use "a" before a male's name and "x" before a female's name**

Bar wank li toilet/eswusaad? [bar kwank lee es-kwu-sahd] = where is the toilet/bathroom?

Xik we [sheek kwe] = I'm going (used to say "goodbye")

Taaqil aawib [tah-keul ah-kweeb] = take care (used to say "goodbye")

Hehej [heh-heh] = yes

Inq'a [in-kah] = no

Us [oo-s] = good

Ha [hah] = water

Kim wain [keem kwa-in] = come and eat

Banyox [ban-tyi-osh] - thank you

Note: If there is anything you want to learn how to say, please leave a comment below of what you want to know and I will try my best to translate it for you as much as I can.

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"Concern yourself more with accepting responsibility than with assigning blame. Let the possibilities inspire you more than the obstacles discourage you." 

- Ralph Marston

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