Tsotsil (Bats'i k'op)

Tsotsil or Tzotzil is a Mayan language spoken in the Mexican state of Chiapas by about 330,000 people. It is closely related to Tzeltal and Ch'ol and is part of the Cholan-Tzeltalan branch of the Mayan language family.

Tsotsil has six dialects which are named after the dfferent regions of Chiapas in which they are spoken: Chamula, Zinacantán, San Andrés Larráinzar, Huixtán, Ch'enalho', and Venustiano Carranza. There is varying degrees of mutual intelligibility between them.

Tzotsil is used as a medium in instruction in some primary and secondary schools in central Chiapas.

Tsotsil pronunciation

Note

w d f and g are used only in Spanish loanwords, and h is silent when not combined with c.

Sample text

Skotol vinik o ants ta spejel balumile k´olem x-hayan i ko´ol ta sch´ulal i sderechoetik i, skotol k´ux-elan oyike oy srasonik y slekilalik, sventa skuxijik leknóo ta ju jun ju ju vo.

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Sample video in Tsotsil

Information about Tsotsil | Phrases | Tower of Babel | Books about Mayan languages | Learning materials

Links

Information about Tsotsil/Tzotzil language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tzotzil_language

An On-line Tzotzil Grammar (includes dialogues and recordings)
http://www.zapata.org/Tzotzil/

Survival phrases in Tzotzil
http://www.globalencounter.net/languages-tzotzil/

Mayan languages

Achi, Akatek, Awakatek, Chontal Maya, Ch’ol, Chorti, Chuj, Huasteco, Itzaʼ, Ixil, Jakaltek, Kaqchikel, Ki'che', Lacandon, Mam, Mocho’, Mopan, Poqomam, Poqomchiʼ, Q’anjob’al, Q'eqchi', Sakapultek, Sipakapense, Tektitek, Tojolabal, Tsotsil, Tzeltal, Tz'utujil, Uspantek, Yucatec Maya

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page last modified: 23.04.21

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