Mopan (Maya Mopán)

Mopan is a member of the Yucatecan branch of the Mayan language family. It is spoken in the Cayo, Stann Ceek and Toledo districs in southern Belize, particularly in San Antonio in Toledo. It is also spoken in the Petén Department of northern Guatemala, particularly in the towns of San Luis, Poptún, Melchor de Mencos, and Dolores. In 2014 there were about 10,600 speakers of Mopan in Belize, and there were about 2,010 in Guatemala in 2019. It is officially recognized in Guatemala.

Mopan is also known as Mopán Maya, Mopane or Maya Mopán.

Mopan is written with the Latin alphabet, and several different spelling systems have been used since colonial times (from the 17th century). The system shown below is the one used by the Academia de las Lenguas Mayas de Guatemala (ALMG), or Guatemalan Academy of Mayan Languages.

Mopan alphabet and pronunciation

Mopan alphabet and pronunciation

Download an alphabet chart for Mopan (Excel)

Sample text

  1. Le'ec ti ma'ax to betabüc a yoc'olcaba, yan jun tuul. T'an u c'aba'. Le'ec a T'an abe'e, te'i que'en etel a Dioso. Le'ec a T'an abe'e, le'ec a Dioso.
  2. Le'ec ilic abe'e, te'i que'en etel Dios le'ec ti ma'ax to betabüc a yoc'olcaba.
  3. Le'ec a Dioso, u tz'aj ti'i ala'i ca' u bete' tulacal a c'u' a yana. Ma' yan c'u' ulaac' a wa ma' u betaja. U laj betaj.
  4. Etel ala'i yan a cuxtala. Le'ec a cuxtal abe'e, walac u ye'ic a jaj ti'ijoo' a cristianojo. Tan u sasilcuntic u tucul a maca.
  5. Le'ec a sasil abe'e, tan u ye'ic a jaj ti'ijoo' a cristianojo. Tan u sasilcuntic u wich a ac'ü'ü. Le'ec a ac'ü' abe'e, ma' tu paatal u tupic u wich a sasili, le'ec a jaj a chiclaji ti'i a maca.

Source: Bible.com

Translation

  1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
  2. The same was in the beginning with God.
  3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
  4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
  5. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Source: https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-Chapter-1/#10

Sample video in and about Mopan

Links

Information about Mopan language
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mopan_language
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/mop
http://www.native-languages.org/mopan_guide.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: 23.04.21

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