The Mayans were the only ancient American civilization with a recorded history of their own, the Mayans broadcasted on stone billboards (stellas), the loudest messages of all ancient Mesoamerican cultures. The ancient Mayan culture is known for their ceremonial centers like Chichen Itza and Uxmal, Mexico which included stepped pyramids, ball courts, and astronomical observatories. People living in Chichen Itza, Mexico and other archaeological sites used to record their lives on lithic monuments, pottery, papers, and leather. Thanks to the articles and hieroglyphs on the sculptures, paintings and towering temples found in archaeological sites which have been totally uncovered and deciphered, scientists suggest that the ancient Mayan culture was the most advanced in the American continent.
From AD 325 to 925 (Classical Period) the Mayan culture and Mayan Language dominated the region from Chichen Itza, Mexico to Honduras, after which it declined under pressure from the Toltec and, and then the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.
It is a fact that much of the Maya language is declining and endangered because of Spanish language domination in the area. Despite its endangerment, there is an estimated number of 8-9 millions Mayans spread throughout the Yucatan Peninsula in México, Guatemala, Belize, and western Honduras. Some of old age still speak “Yucatec” or “Maya Language” fluently.
Maya language has passed from generation to generation and has been blended with the modern Maya world, today.
In a hard try to rescue the ancient Maya roots, researchers have been rehearsing the use Maya language and nowadays is even taught in schools as a second language.
If you are planning to travel to ChichenItza or any other Mayan site in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico you´ll find groups of native Mayan people settled around these archaeological sites, you may want to practice some phrases with them.
Here is a list of some common phrases in Maya Language that can help you practice with the Mayans in your trip to the pre-Hispanic Mexico such as Chichen Itza.
B’ix a beel? How are you?
Ma’alob’, kux teech? Good, and you?
B’ey xan teen. Same with me
B’ix a k’àab’a'? What is your name?
In k’aab’a'e’ Dario. My name is Carlos
Jach ki’imak in wóol tin wilikech Pleased to meet you
Ba’ax ka wa’alik? What do you say
Mix b’á’al. Nothing.
B’ix a wilik? How does it look?
Jach Ma’alob’ Very good.
Kó’ox! Let’s go! (to one companion)
Kó’one’ex! Let’s go! (to a group)
B’a'ax a k’áat? What do you want?
Tak sáamal “aasta sáamah See you tomorrow
Jach Dyos b’o'otik. Thank you/
