Maya, a living language
While living in Carrillo, I often found myself stopping in my tracks when I heard the murmur of abuelitas speaking Maya amongst themselves while shopping, taking the bus, or going out to tomar fresco in the afternoon. Being able to dive into Maya with Na'atik's online classes was an incredible way to get familiar with the language and engage with its cultural context in a meaningful way.After taking Maya classes, I've been able to recognize a few words here and there--something I never thought I'd be able to do. My teacher, Paulino, has had a lot of patience with me and has done an excellent job of not only adapting to my learning style (I am very chatty and ask a LOT of questions), but he has taken on the challenge of teaching virtually without hesitation.The value of learning Maya might not seem apparent to many people, but to me it has been priceless. Learning a language is incredibly contextual, social, and uniquely meaningful to the individual. For me, learning Maya has helped me understand my surroundings here in México on a deeper level and has inspired me to continue learning about the culture and the people who make this region so special.Blog post shared by Emily, Na'atik's SAY Coordinator.
If you would like to read more about Mexican culture, history, cuisine and language, check out our blog page for our latest monthly articles. You can also sign up to our newsletter to receive these straight to your inbox along with the latest news about our non-profit school for local and Indigenous students in Felipe Carrillo Puerto.
The best way to experience the Mexican lifestyle is in person, with a Na’atik Immersion experience. Not only do you live with a local Mexican-Maya family, sharing home-cooked meals and free time, but also receive expert instruction in your chosen language at our school. Best of all, every immersion experience helps fund our subsidized and free local education program, helping local students to access opportunities and make their own futures.