[TyAva]

We were told that our birthmom would like to receive pictures/updates from us and we have her address. We are happy to do this for her. Our only problem is that she speaks Ke chi. Does anyone have any experience with this? Will we be able to use a translator? Or should we just send stuff down in spanish and hope that someone else can help her. Also we are told she is unable to read or write...so would she even be able to understand if it was in her language? Thanks for any help!!!

[devildogwife]

Interesting dilemma. Hope you find some answers! Bumping up for you...

[Jessica007]

If she speaks Quiche she must live in or around the province of Qucihe. Which you probably know is a Mayan dilect. There are people who live there that speak spanish and would be able to translate it for her. If she had an employer or even your attorney could do it for her. I'm sure she would love to get a letter and pics if you wanted to do that. That's so thoughtful of you. Quiche is a LOVELY place lots of jungle and mountains. I'm sure if you send it in spanish someone will translate for her.

[chica_latina]

Jessica is right, she has a better chance if you send the letter in Spanish so she can find somebody that will translate..

And I was thinking, maybe you can let the pictures do all the talking..

(please forgive me if this sounds too simple.. I just thought of it and figured it might be helpful)

I'm guessing that what would be most important for the bmom is to know that her child is well cared for, loved, and surrounded by family who adore her/him..

So, if you send her pictures of the baby's birthday, make sure the cake and balloons are in the picture - so she can understand the occasion.. Pictures of family gatherings, Christmas, first steps, etc.. She will probably figure out what is going on in the picture.. Just make sure you give her lots of clues.

It's wonderful that you plan to keep in contact with your baby's first mom.. I'm sure it will bring her peace and comfort..

[TyAva]

Thanks! Anyone else?

[Guatemomtobe]

I would send it in Spanish and she should be able to find someone to translate for her. There are a lot of missionaries down there that learn both Spanish and the Indian dialects.

[Pick Me]

are apparently two different dialects!


If you do a google search for Quiche (or Kek Chi) translations, you should find a couple of services that appear to do such translations. Looks like about $85 for 250 words. I also found at least one dictionary which would at least allow you to identify certain things in pictures and such. My guess is, though, that the Birthmom would probably have an easier time finding someone who reads SPANISH than Quiche (or other Mayan languages). The written Mayan language is originally in pictograms and now they try to use a modified Roman alphabet as a written language, but from some internet research, it does not look very widely known.

Good luck!

[euphemie]

I agree that a letter in spanish would probably be the easiest for her to get translated. Maybe your agency or lawyer can recommend someone to translate in the future as they obviously know someone capable of doing so for the adoption, maybe the same is willing to do it post-adoption as well (for a fee of course). I think it's great that you will keep in touch, I hope to be able to do the same, I understand that some bmoms choose not to. Good luck

[KevinK]

Yes, send it in Spanish.

Even if she SPOKE Spanish it is quite likley she would not be able to READ in Spanish. This would be even more liley if you got it translated into the written form of a Mayan dialect.

Illiteracy is a "more often than not" situation for the impoverished people. If my memory serves, something like 70% of the population in Guatemala can't read or write. You will likely notice that instead of sigining their name on documents, many people use a thumb print. This is because they can't even write their name.

Please don't take the post as being critical of yours - not my intent. Just trying to shed some light on the sad realities of Guatemala.

Kevin
Guatadopt.com