Poqomam Interpreters and Translators: A Quick Guide
Maya Bridge Language Services
The nation's leading provider for indigenous language services with on-demand support in over 80 indigenous languages.
As the Poqomam people increasingly migrate to the United States for safety, economic opportunities, and a better quality of life, language access is one of their biggest obstacles. This is where Poqomam interpreters step in and help migrants integrate safely into their new surroundings.
For the Poqomam, whose cultural and linguistic heritage has stood the test of time, interpreters play a major role in bridging the gap between their traditional ways of life and the challenges of modern migration.
This blog explores the Poqomam language, why the Poqomam are migrating, and the support interpreters can provide them as they settle in the United States.
Who speaks Poqomam?
Poqomam is a Mayan language spoken by the Poqomam people, an Indigenous group found mainly in southeastern Guatemala. Communities are concentrated in the departments of Guatemala, Jalapa, and Escuintla.
Today, most fluent Poqomam speakers are adults. Intergenerational language transmission has declined sharply, with younger generations shifting increasingly toward Spanish.
Poqomam belongs to the Quichean-Mamean branch of the Mayan language family and shares close ties with Poqomchi’, both a part of the Poqom subgroup. It is written using the Latin alphabet and is used in both print and broadcast media.
The Guatemalan government officially recognizes Poqomam and supports its preservation through the Academia de Lenguas Mayas de Guatemala (Academy of Mayan Languages of Guatemala), a national institution responsible for promoting Mayan languages, standardizing orthographies, and providing educational and cultural resources in Guatemala’s Indigenous languages.
Poqomam has three mutually intelligible variants. Central Poqomam is spoken near Guatemala City, Eastern Poqomam in Jalapa, and Southern Poqomam in parts of Escuintla. While their core structures are the same, each one has its own unique vocabulary and pronunciation.
The Poqomam were originally part of a larger Poqom-speaking population that stretched from the Guatemalan highlands to the Pacific coast of what is now El Salvador. Over time, this group split into two main branches: the Poqomchi’ in the north and the Poqomam in the central and southeastern regions of Guatemala.
In the 11th century, the Pipil, an Indigenous group who lived primarily in what is now El Salvador, migrated into the region and displaced Poqomam communities into present-day Guatemala. By the 15th century, the expanding K'iche' Maya had conquered parts of Poqomam territory.
Although the Poqomam later regained some degree of political autonomy, the 16th-century Spanish conquest that followed had far more devastating and long-lasting effects. Disease, warfare, and forced relocation to missionary towns decimated the population.
Throughout the 20th century, attempts to reclaim traditional lands were frequently met with violence and resistance. In recent decades, however, there has been some progress. In places like Santa Cruz Chinautla, historic communal land titles dating back to the 18th century have been formally recognized and restored, marking important steps toward land recovery and cultural preservation.
Why are the Poqomam migrating?
Chronic poverty, limited job opportunities, and restricted access to quality education have driven an increasing amount of Poqomam individuals, especially youth, to migrate. Discrimination, exclusion from public services, and systemic marginalization continue to limit the social and economic opportunities available to Poqomam communities.
Environmental conditions are another push factor. In Santa Cruz Chinautla, large-scale waste dumping from Guatemala City has polluted local rivers, destroyed farmland, and degraded water quality, all of which has made traditional agriculture and daily life increasingly difficult to sustain.
At the same time, unregulated extraction of sand and clay has caused landslides, destroyed homes, and depleted raw materials essential for the local pottery trade, an economic activity led predominantly by Poqomam women. These disruptions have not only harmed local economies but also caused tensions in the area.
The environmental damage has led to even broader public health crises. Contaminated water and airborne dust have caused a rise in respiratory illnesses and chronic conditions.
Although courts have ruled in favor of community land and health rights, enforcement is weak and inconsistent. Poqomam activists and community leaders continue to face threats, harassment, and targeted violence for defending their rights.
The Roles And Importance Of Poqomam Interpreters
Poqomam interpreters help migrants to express themselves and understand the information they are given, allowing them to better advocate for themselves and make more informed decisions.
Interpreters act as trusted guides for Poqomam migrants, guiding them through the complex U.S. immigration system, and helping them get access to medical, legal, and social services. In settings like doctor's appointments, immigration proceedings, and court hearings, qualified Poqomam interpreters are indispensable.
Besides providing language assistance, interpreters are also integral to intercultural communication. Having an interpreter who understands both American and Poqomam cultures can help make communication smoother and less stressful for both sides.
Demand for Poqomam interpreters continues to grow, yet the number of qualified professionals remains low. A few offer online services, but their availability is limited.
Spoken by a relatively small population, Poqomam has a narrow base of potential interpreters. Specialized fields such as legal and medical interpreting often require advanced training and formal certification. These qualifications are often out of reach because of limited access to educational resources and professional development opportunities. Consequently, securing a professional Poqomam interpreter is challenging, even as demand rises in the United States.
This language disparity restricts Poqomam speakers' access to healthcare, legal aid, and social services. Without language services, they are at risk of misdiagnoses, unfair asylum decisions, and unjust deportations. Poqomam speakers need access to qualified interpreters to have a clear understanding of their circumstances and exercise their fundamental right to language access in the U.S.
Work With A Poqomam Interpreter from Maya Bridge
At Maya Bridge, we offer language services for Poqomam and all of its variants to provide your organization with comprehensive linguistic support. Since 2021, we have provided Poqomam to English interpretation to countless government agencies, healthcare organizations, and courts. As a small, niche interpretation agency specializing in Latin American Indigenous languages, we are uniquely equipped to offer on-demand Poqomam interpretation, 24 hours a day.
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Learn more about our language services here.
Maya Bridge - A Leading Advocate For Latin American Indigenous Language Access In The U.S.
Since 2021, Maya Bridge Language Services has been advocating for increased access for speakers of Mayan and other Latin American and global Indigenous languages here in the United States. Maya Bridge is a mission-driven, niche interpretation agency offering 24/7 on-demand services for over 100 Indigenous languages from Latin America, as well as African, Asian, Pacific Island, Native American, and other Indigenous languages.
We have worked diligently to mobilize, train, and evaluate a network of hundreds of interpreters both in the U.S. and throughout the world to ensure that speakers of Indigenous languages can fully understand and be understood in important situations like healthcare, legal settings, in disaster and emergency response scenarios, and in receiving access to government programs.
Contact us to schedule a meeting or call us anytime, day or night, at (801) 753-8568.