Translating Oral Narratives from Mixe

to Spanish for Linguistic Purposes

Carmen JanyCalifornia State University, San

Bernardinocjany@csusb.edu

Introduction

This talk Mixe Language Fieldwork and Speakers Linguistic Fieldwork Transcription and Translation

Data and Process Challenges and Solutions

Conclusions

Mixe Language

Mixe Language Mixe-Zoque Language Family Spoken in Oaxaca & Veracruz, Mexico Limited documentation => unclear

how many languages, dialects, varieties (each village with different variety)

Ethnologue: 10 languages Chuxnabán Mixe: 900 speakers

Language Family Trees - Mixe-Zoque, Mixe Mixe (10)

Eastern Mixe (6) Mixe, Coatlán  [mco] (Mexico) Mixe, Isthmus  [mir] (Mexico) Mixe, Juquila  [mxq] (Mexico) Mixe, Mazatlán  [mzl] (Mexico) Mixe, North Central  [neq] (Mexico) Mixe, Quetzaltepec  [pxm] (Mexico)

Veracruz Mixe (2) Popoluca, Oluta  [plo] (Mexico) Popoluca, Sayula  [pos] (Mexico)

Western Mixe (2) Mixe, Totontepec  [mto] (Mexico) Mixe, Tlahuitoltepec  [mxp] (Mexico)

Mixe Language

Mixe Language

Fieldwork and Speakers

Preparation Readings on other languages Recording equipment Plan for data collection

In the village Ask for permission Identify speakers/consultants Find interpreters for monolinguals

San Juan Bosco Chuxnabán, 2008

San Juan Bosco Chuxnabán, 2008

Familia Canseco, 2008

My room, 2008

At work, 2008

Purpose of linguistic fieldwork Document the structure (=grammar) and

lexicon of the language Archive original data for future reference Examine and organize the data

Grammar Dictionary Scholarly articles (shape linguistic theory) Educational materials for language preservation

and/or revitalization

Conflicting interests Community and Academia

Linguistic Fieldwork

Data collection and Process Collect and record oral narratives Transcribe oral narratives (= write down

each word) Need for a transcription assistant

Translation Two types = two lines

Word by word Meaning of entire sentence (free translation)

Transcription and Translation

Transcription/Translation Example

Transcription and Translation

Challenges and Solutions False Starts Repetitions & Discourse Markers Vocabulary

Cultural/regional lexicon Same word-different meaning/translation Verbs with no Spanish equivalents Taboo words Placenames

Transcription and Translation

False Starts Could be linguistically significant

(so, they have to be noted) Consultant will notice error Example: Cuento del sol y la luna

Solution: Note as False Start; Edit out for community archive

Transcription and Translation

Repetitions and Discourse Markers Represent oral style/spoken language

Solution: Write narratives as heard; Do not alter/leave out words or repetitions (but may leave out words in free translation)

Transcription and Translation

Discourse Markers (pues, entonces, así) Do not contribute to the meaning of the

story, but may be relevant linguistically (nëntu’un = así; evidentials: ntiijmëch = así dicen)

Solution: Write discourse markers

Transcription and Translation

Vocabulary: Cultural/regional lexicon Spanish Dialects: Which one do you choose? Explanation of cultural/regional lexicon Examples

topil = policía del pueblo tlacuache = zarigüeya tenate = canasta guajolote = pavo

Solution: Write translation as noted by consultant

Transcription and Translation

Vocabulary: Same word-different translations ko = como, cuando jä’ä = el, ellos, estoy, era jamp = en, allí, a jap = en, allí

Solution: Need linguistic analysis to determine function/meaning; note translation provided by consultant

Transcription and Translation

Vocabulary: Verbs with no Spanish equivalent Mixe is a polysynthetic language (=a lot of

information encoded in verbs) Mixe has a rich system of compounding

(=combining words to form new ones)

Solution: Describe/summarize meaning

Transcription and Translation

Vocabulary: Verbs with no Spanish equivalent Different concepts found in Mixe verbs and

expressions encontrar la muerte = morirse encontrar el sueño = dormirse cansarse de la mano = cansarse de aguantar

Solution: Use literal translation

Transcription and Translation

Vocabulary: Taboo words Words that consultant does not feel

comfortable translating ixchaa = nalgas (donde se sentó) yaatë’ëny = cagar (desechar)

Solution: Be insistent/ask for explanation

Transcription and Translation

Vocabulary: Placenames Placenames with and without

Spanish equivalent Placename with special meaning

Solution: Note all information Example: Narrative (handout)

Transcription and Translation

Conclusions

Ongoing process Revisions and refinements

Two types of translations For the linguist For the community Third type? => Readers who are not linguists nor

community members General solution to translation challenges

Note everything consultant indicates Don’t leave anything untranslated Review & take note of inconsistencies Maintain oral narrative style and do not alter main

version to be archived

Dios kujuuyëp!

¡Gracias!