LIS Solutions and Maya Bridge are proud to announce the launch of the Indigenous Gateway Project (IGP), a first-of-its-kind indigenous language glossary.
A labor of love covering eight of the highest-demand indigenous Mayan languages from Guatemala, the IGP is a work of language conservation and continuity that serves as a living resource for language workers and laypeople alike.
“We hope that this project will further efforts to preserve and revitalize indigenous languages, promote literacy and education, and increase the quality and standard of indigenous language interpretation,” said Jace Norton, CEO and owner of Maya Bridge.
The glossary covers both Spanish and eight of the most-used indigenous languages: Q’eqchi’ (Kekchi), K’iche’ (Quiché), Mam, Q’anjob’al (Kanjobal), Akateko, Ixil, Chuj, and Kaqchikel (Cakchiquel). It features written and audio expressions of over 65 terms refugee resettlement workers rely upon while interpreting for unaccompanied children.
“The creators of the IGP believe the glossary will facilitate smoother transitions for indigenous populations as they integrate into new societies, many of them unaccompanied children originating from Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico,” said LIS Solutions CEO Alexandra Gerenburd.
In future project phases, the team plans to expand into other indigenous and lower-diffusion languages, including West African languages. They also aim to add recordings and translations of language variants that aren’t mutually intelligible with other variants — Ixil, Mam, and Chuj all have such examples. Future updates will expand the glossary to include terms relevant for other fields beyond refugee resettlement, including immigration review processes, medical and mental health terminology, and more.
“These efforts will also assist in indigenous language preservation and revitalization efforts,” said Gerenburd. “We look forward to seeing this project continue to grow!”