Pronunciation guide to Spanish and Cakchiquel
words in the book:
Accented syllables are capitalized. The"a's" all have
the sound of the "a" in "father." Just as
in English, all the syllables in a word should be pronounced rapidly
with no pauses between them.
Kakchiquel cock-chee-KEL
Tzunún Chumil tsoo-NOON choo-MEEL
Ixil ee-SHEEL
Nebaj Nay-BAH
Mam MOM
Quetzal ket-ZAL (Guaemalan currency and the national bird)
Matiox ma-TYOSH
Kirik a keer-EEK-AH
Huipil wee-PEEL (handwoven Mayan blouse)
Huipiles wee-PEE-lace
Jerónimo Sic Hay-ROW-knee-mow SEEK
Martín Chai Mar-TEEN CHAI (like the tea, to rhyme with
"bye")
Ahau ah-HOW
Señora Tuc Say-NYO-ra TOOK (rhymes with "kook"
Imox ee-MOSH
La Hortensia ore-TEN-see-ah
Mundo MOON-dough
Raimundo rye-MOON-dough
Doña Celestina DOAN-ya say-lace-TEE-nah
Doña Amalia DOAN-ya ah-MAH-leeah
Ja'al Ha-ALL (like "hall" slightly drawled)
Q'anil Ka-NEEL
Flaco FLAH-ko (skinny)
San Juan Sacatepequez sahn huan sa-kah-tay-PEK-ase
Celular say-loo-LAR (cell phone)
Celulares say-loo-LAR-ace
Tamales de chipilin tah-MAH-lace day chee-pee-LEEN
Corte CORE-tay (Mayan handwoven wrap-around skirt)
Calle de Calvario Kai-Yay day cahl-VAR-yo
Sacapulas Sah-kah-POO-lahs
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