Tag: Mayan languages
University of Alicante Partners with MasterWord to Bridge Q’anjob’al Maya Digital Divide
In collaboration with Guatemala’s Fundación Proyecto Lingüístico Francisco Marroquín, this open-source initiative will help integrate the Q’anjob’al language into AI translation models, preserving cultural heritage through advanced technology.
Expanding Indigenous Interpreting at the U.N. with First‑Ever Mayan Language Pilot
The first‑of‑its‑kind Mayan Language Pilot has opened the door for Indigenous and endangered languages to be represented at an international level like the UN where they have long been absent.
Lessons From the Mayan Languages Preservation and Digitization Project
The Mayan Languages Preservation and Digitization Project is a wide-scope initiative that aims to provide resources for essential services to Mayan language speakers. This article describes the project’s efforts with the hope that it serves as a roadmap for all indigenous language communities.
Modern Mayans: A Hidden World Closer Than You Think
Jace Norton recounts his career journey from missionary to interpreter to company founder — and how he came to learn about indigenous languages and communities along the way. Now committed to providing language services to underserved populations, Norton encourages readers to look beyond their narrow surroundings to adopt broader perspectives on language access.
Collateral Damage
The Mayan civilization may have vanished, but its linguistic heritage endures. Today, up to 22 ancient Mayan languages are still spoken in Guatemala and beyond, though their survival remains precarious. Ewandro Magalhães describes the challenges facing native speakers and efforts to provide language services to those in need.
MasterWord and UNESCO Join Forces to Preserve and Digitize Mayan Languages
This partnership aims to preserve, revitalize, digitize, and promote Mayan languages by leveraging cutting-edge technology and fostering community-driven solutions — in support of UNESCO’s global mission to protect and promote multilingualism online and indigenous languages worldwide.