About the Language:
Chuj is an Indigenous Mayan language with a long history among the Chuj people of Guatemala. For its speakers, the language represents an important connection to their heritage, community, and cultural traditions.

About the Interview:
In this interview, Cristobal reflects on their experience with Chuj and explains how speaking the language has shaped their connection to their culture and community.

Cristobal Morales Lucas – Chuj

Translation Note: This interview was originally conducted in Spanish and has been translated into English for this website. The translation is intended to preserve the interviewee’s original meaning and responses as accurately as possible.

VRS: What is your full name, and where were you born and where do you currently reside?

CM: Cristobal Morales Lucas. I was born in Guatemala, San Mateo Ixtatan and I live here in North Carolina.

VRS: What Indigenous or heritage language do you speak?

CM: My language is called Chuj San Mateo Ixtatan.

VRS: How did you learn this language?

CM: It was my first language and I learned it with my parents.

VRS: Do you regularly speak this language in your day-to-day life? If so, who do you speak it with?

CM: Yes, I speak it day-to-day with my brother.

VRS: What has your experience been speaking this language in North Carolina?

CM: I feel comfortable speaking it, I don’t really mind.

VRS: Have you noticed a decline or increase in the number of speakers? Why do you think that is?

CM: Yes, nowadays there’s a lot people who are speaking a lot of Spanish so now there’s not as many people that speak my language, although there are still a few couple who do.

VRS: How do you feel about speaking your language in public? Why?

CM: I feel good, I don’t feel any shame because it’s my first language.

VRS: Has your relationship with your language changed over time? If so, how?

CM: No, it has stayed the same.

VRS: How do younger generations in your community engage with the language?

CM: Unfortunately, I think there are many that haven’t learned the language because the kids are growing and learning more Spanish and there’s not many people teaching the language.

VRS: What advice would you give to someone interested in learning your language?

CM: I would tell them to put in a lot of effort to learn it and have the motivation to learn.

VRS: What do you wish more people knew about Indigenous and heritage languages?

CM: People sometimes ask me how I speak this language and so it would be good for more people to share their stories so it’s more common.

“I love my mom and I would like to see her again some day” in Chuj spoken by Cristobal