Achi (Achi')

Achi is a Mayan language spoken in the deparments of Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, El Progreso and El Quiché in central Guatemala. In 2008 there were about 85,000 Achi speakers. There are two dialects of Achi: Rabinal Achi and Cubulco Achi, which are named after the areas where they are spoken.

Achi is closely related to Ki’che’, a Mayan language spoken in the same area of Guatemala.

Achi is taught in primary schools, and used on the radio and TV. There is an Achi dictionary and grammar, and parts of the Bible have been translated into Achi.

Achi alphabet and pronunciation

Download an Achi alphabet chart (Excel)

Notes

D is also used, but only in loanwords from Spanish.

Sample text (The Lord's Prayer - Luke 11: 2-4)

I Jesús xub'ij: —Yix, are kixlapan ru' i Dios, keje iri chib'ij: Qaqajaw chi at o chikaj, choksax u'ij i lo'laj ab'i. Chpet ni awajawinik pqawi; cha'ana ni urayijb'al ak'ux waral chwach i jyub' ta'aj xaqjun ru' pacha i k-ani chila chikaj.
Chaya ni lejom wa re trigo chqe man lik rajwaxik chqe.
Chakuyu ni qamak man xaq yoj kqakuy ni kimak ni'pa i je makunnaq chqij. Maya chqe kojtzaq chupam i tzaqsab'al.

Source: https://www.bible.com/bible/3247/LUK.11.ACHICUB

Translation (English)

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Source: https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.11.KJV

Sample video

Information about Achi | Numbers | Tower of Babel

Links

Information about Achi language
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achi_language
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idioma_achí
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achi
http://www.ethnologue.com/language/acr
http://archive.ethnologue.com/15/show_language.asp?code=acr
http://archive.ethnologue.com/15/show_language.asp?code=acc
http://www.native-languages.org/achi.htm

Mayan languages

Achi, Akatek, Awakatek, Chontal Maya, Ch’ol, Chorti, Chuj, Huasteco, Itzaʼ, Ixil, Jakaltek, Kaqchikel, Ki'che', Lacandon, Mam, Mocho’, Mopan, Poqomam, Poqomchiʼ, Q’anjob’al, Q'eqchi', Sakapultek, Sipakapense, Tektitek, Tojolabal, Tzeltal, Tzotzil, Tz'utujil, Uspantek, Yucatec Maya

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page last modified: 02.09.24

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