Normative: Gramática Descriptiva K'iche' (2004), Choltaqanem Tzij rech K'iche' Chi'. Gramática Normativa K'iche' (2004, 2007), Diccionario Monolingüe K'iche' (2006), Numeración Maya K'iche' (2005), K'ak' taq tzij re K'iche' tzij. Actulizacion lexical. Idioma Maya K'iche' (2004), all from Comunidad Lingüística Maya K'iche'-ALMG; Gramática del Idioma Maya K'iche' (Ixchajchal Batz, 1996); Ri Ukemiik ri K'ichee' Chii' / Gramática K'ichee' (1997), Ri Ukemiik ri Tz'ib'anik pa K'ichee' Ch'ab'al, Manual de Redacción K'ichee' (1994), Gramática Pedagógica K'ichee' (1993), all by Saqijix Candelaria Dominga López Ixcoy; Acuerdo Gubernativo No. 1046-87 (23 November 1987), Decreto Legislativo No. 19-2003 (7 May 2003), Decreto Legislativo No 65-90 (5 November 1990); Gramática del idioma K'iche' (Suy Tum, 1988); Gramática K'iche' (Baten Ajanel, 1987); K'ak' taq tzij K'iche'. Vocabulario de Neologismos Pedagógicos del Idoma K'iche' (DIGEBI, 2004).
Informative: K'ak' taq utzij ri kaxlan ch'o'jib'al tzij (Glosario de términos del derecho castellano - k'iche') (1998), Introducción a la Lingüística: Idiomas Mayas (England, 1996), Glosario bilingüe de términos jurídicos español - k'iche' / Choltaqanïk täq tzij pa ka'ib' ch'ab'äl kaxlan - k'iche' (2004), Palabras / Jujun taq tzijob'al (Diccionario ilustrado castellano / k'iche') (2004), Jujun taq tzijob'al / Palabras (Diccionario ilustrado k'iche' / castellano) (2001).
Written forms vary between authors from different sociolects. Standardization of K'iche' is still under discussion, especially the vowel system and dialectal variants.
Alphabetical order is not necessarily the sorting order.
Per Government Agreement No. 1046-87, dated November 23rd, 1987, the alphabet has 32 written symbols: 22 consonants and 10 vowels. Consonants are simple and glottalized; vowels are simple and relaxed. Per Gramática Normativa K'iche' and the pedagogical principles of the Academia de Lenguas Mayas de Guatemala, use only the 5 simple vowels; relaxed vowels are still being standardized for the written language.
Unicode codes, character: decimal, hex.
A: 65, 0041
a: 97, 0061
B': 66+39, 0042+0027
b': 98+39, 0062+0027
CH: 67+72, 0043+0048
ch: 99+104, 0063+0068
CH': 67+72+39, 0043+0048+0027
ch': 99+104+39, 0063+0068+0027
E: 69, 0045
e: 101, 0065
I: 73, 0049
i: 105, 0069
J: 74, 004A
j: 106, 006A
K: 75, 004B
k: 107, 006B
K': 75+39, 004B+0027
k': 107+39, 006B+0027
L: 76, 004C
l: 108, 006C
M: 77, 004D
m: 109, 006D
N: 78, 004E
n: 110, 006E
O: 79, 004F
o: 111, 006F
P: 80, 0050
p: 112, 0070
Q: 81, 0051
q: 113, 0071
Q': 81+39, 0051+0027
q': 113+39, 0071+0027
R: 82, 0052
r: 114, 0072
S: 83, 0053
s: 115, 0073
T: 84, 0054
t: 116, 0074
T': 84+39, 0054+0027
t': 116+39, 0074+0027
TZ: 84+90, 0054+005A
tz: 116+122, 0074+007A
TZ': 84+90+39, 0054+005A+0027
tz': 116+122+39, 0074+007A+0027
U: 85, 0055
u: 117, 0075
W: 87, 0057
w: 119, 0077
X: 88, 0058
x: 120, 0078
Y: 89, 0059
y: 121, 0079
': 39, 0027
The alphabet has small and capital letters; the same ANSI and UNICODE codes apply.
The alphabet includes compound consonants (two characters) and glottalized compound consonants. Codify each character, then add the (+) sign to show its structure.
The only sign specific to the language is the saltillo or glottal stop, code 39 in ANSI and 0027 in UNICODE. It affects the preceding phoneme and is used in these combinations: b', ch', k', q', t', tz'.
First day of the week: Nab'e q'ij (per ISO 8601, Monday is day 1).
First week of the year: first week in January.
Separator: slash /, hyphen -, or period .
Default short date format: dd/MM/yyyy. Example: 17/03/2011
Default long date formats: dddd, dd' rech 'MMMM' rech 'yyyy, dddd d' de 'MMMM' de 'yyyy, d' de 'MMMM' de 'yyyy
Examples: kajq'ij, 19 rech ulaj ik' rech 2011, kajq'ij 19 de ulaj ik' de 2011, 19 de ulaj ik' de 2011
Additional short date format 1: d-M-yy. Example: 17-3-11
Additional short date format 2: dd-MM-yyyy. Example: 17-03-2011
Additional long date format 1: d rech MM, junab' yyyy. Examples: Uwuqlaj q'ij, rech rox ik', junab' 2011 or 17 q'ij rech 3 ik', junab' 2011
Additional long date format 2: N/A.
Leading zero in day field for short date format: yes. Leading zero in month field for short date format: yes. Digits for year in short date format: 4.
Leading zero in day field for long date format: no. Leading zero in month field for long date format: no. Digits for year in long date format: 4.
Date format for correspondence: City, d rech MMMM, junab' yyyy. Examples: Tinamit K'iche', amaq' Paxil Kayala', uwuqlaj q'ij, rech rox ik', junab' 2011 or Tinamit K'iche', amaq' Paxil Kayala', 17 q'ijrech 3 ik', junab' 2011.
Write the first letter of days and months in small letters, except at the beginning of a sentence or paragraph.
Besides the Gregorian calendar, the population uses the Lunar Calendar (Cholq'ij) and the Solar Calendar (Cholab') for daily activities and ceremonies. The Solar Calendar has 18 months of 20 days each plus a 5-day period, 365 days in total. The first day of the Lunar Calendar is B'atz'.
For years in writing, apply the Spanish standard: no comma as thousand separator in a year.
Names of days and months are often written in words, but years only in numbers, since the current population does not use quantities over a hundred.
Format codes: d is day, the number of ds indicates the format (d = digits without leading zero, dd = digits with leading zero, ddd = abbreviated day name, dddd = full day name). M is month (M = digits without leading zero, MM = digits with leading zero, MMM = abbreviated name, MMMM = full name). y is year (yy = two digits, yyyy = four digits).
Mayan numerals use three symbols: zero (shell shape), one (a dot), five (a bar).
t'ot' (snail, caracol): value zero, placed in different vertical positions to represent quantities in the vigesimal system.
nak' (dot .): value 1, relative value from its vertical position in the vigesimal system.
juch' (line __): value 5, relative value from its vertical position in the vigesimal system.
Nineteen 19 is four dots in a horizontal row above three stacked horizontal lines.
To use Mayan numbers, install the font called Maya, created by Asociación Oxlajuj Keej Maya Ajtz'ib' (OKMA), Guatemala 2004, distributed free.
Reference: MAYAB' AJILAB'AL PA K'ICHE' TZ'IJ. NUMERACIÓN MAYA K'ICHE', K'iche' Mayab' Cholchi', Comunidad Lingüística Maya K'iche', Academia de Lenguas Mayas de Guatemala, 2005.
Guatemala: international dialing code 502, area codes used no, digits in area codes N/A, separator hyphen -, digits domestic 11, digit groupings domestic (###) ####-####.
Guatemala: digits local 8, groupings local ####-####, digits mobile 8, groupings mobile ########, digits international 11, groupings international (###) ########.
Phone numbers commonly use the Hindu-Arabic numeral system. Mayan numbers are very rarely used.
Numbers in phone numbers are usually said in single digits, rarely grouped in pairs: job', jun, job', kajib', job', keb', wuqub' wajxaqib' for 51545278.
Address format: 1. [Title] FirstName [SecondName] LastNames -> Lic. Matías Gutiérrez Tzunún; 2. [CompanyName] -> Asociación Ajb'atz' Enlace Quiché; 3. Address -> 1ª. Avenida 10-36, Zona 5; 4. City, Department -> Santa Cruz del Quiché, El Quiché; 5. Country -> Guatemala, C. A.
Local zip code format: 1401
Never use the information in this entry as fictitious information in examples.
One way to write addresses is to give the quantities in words: Nab'e uxo'l b'e, 10-36, Uro q'at tinamit, Q'u'ma'rkaj, K'iche' for 1ª. Avenida 10-36, Zona 5, Santa Cruz del Quiché, El Quiché.
Quantities use Hindu-Arabic numbers, except when representing Mayan numbers. Then use the Mayan symbology and vigesimal structure. Reference: MAYAB' AJILAB'AL PA K'ICHE' TZ'IJ. NUMERACIÓN MAYA K'ICHE', 2005.
Capital letters and lowercase letters are equal; no distinction is made between them.
Non-alphabetical characters (symbols such as @ ! #) sort before the letters of the alphabet.
Numbers sort after non-alphabetical characters and before letters.
The glottal stop sorts at the end of the alphabet, per Government Agreement No. 1046-87, dated November 23rd, 1987.
Character sorting order: A, B', CH, CH', E, I, J, K, K', L, M, N, O, P, Q, Q', R, S, T, T', TZ, TZ', U, W, X, Y, ', a, b', ch, ch', e, i, j, k, k', l, m, n, o, p, q, q', r, s, t, t', tz, tz', u, w, x, y, '.
The localized product responds to the particular situation in the target country or region.
Sensitive or potentially offensive issues can occur in maps, flags, country/region, city and language names, art and graphics, and cultural content such as encyclopedia content and other text with historical or political references.
Check maps and other graphic representations of countries and regions for accuracy and existing political restrictions. Country/region, city and language names change regularly; check them even if previously approved.
Checking cultural content, clip art, religious symbols, and body and hand gestures needs a thorough understanding of the target market culture.
Country and city names change. Use the most up-to-date K'iche' list for every product release.
Follow CHOLTAQANEM TZIJ RECH K'ICHE' CHI'. GRAMÁTICA NORMATIVA K'ICHE', K'iche' Mayab' Cholchi', Comunidad Lingüística Maya K'iche', Academia de Lenguas Mayas de Guatemala, 2007, or a more current update from the same institution.
Use the five-vowel system.
Use the specific pattern to form words belonging to the language.
Use appropriate punctuation per the standards.
Follow the basic syntactic sequence: verb, object, subject.
Avoid linguistic loan words whenever possible.
Avoid literal translations.
Use the original morphology. Avoid duplicating affixes that indicate grammatical persons. The original morphology uses nu- (before a consonant) or w- (before a vowel) for first person singular in transitive sentences, and in- for first person singular in intransitive sentences. Avoid the duplication inw- (before a vowel) for first person singular in transitive sentences.
(–) Katintzukuj (I look for you) -> (+) katnutzukuj (I look for you)
(–) Katinwilo (I see you) -> (+) katwilo (I see you)
Use the full form of words in writing, not the contracted form, to avoid unnecessary variation. Demonstratives in phrases are often contracted, which is incorrect.
(–) la'b'ix (the corn field/el campo de maíz) -> (+) le ab'ix (the corn field/el campo de maíz)
(–) -ri'kaj (the ax/el hacha) -> (+) ri ikaj (the ax/el hacha)
(–) rwaj (my ear of corn/mi elote) -> (+) ri waj (my ear of corn/mi elote)
Adjectives are Descriptive or Positional. Descriptive adjectives refer to size, color, taste, smell, shape and quality of nouns. Positional adjectives refer to the position of nouns.
To form the plural of adjectives referring to sizes, shapes and positions, use the suffix –a'q: nima'q (nim+a'q) = big (plural); choma'q (chom+a'q) = big (plural); kotoka'q (kot+a'q) = twisted (plural).
Adjectives go before nouns: je'l ali = beautiful young lady (je'l = beautiful; ali = young lady).
Adjectives agree with the nouns they modify in number: nim che' = big tree; nima'q taq che' = big trees; pim wuj = big book; pima'q taq wuj = thick books.
For possessive adjectives, follow the normative reference.
The articles act as demonstratives (we = this; le = that) and indefinites (ri = a/an).
we ja = this house; le ja = that house; ri ja = a house.
Untranslated product names and non-translated feature names take no definite or indefinite article, as in English.
Windows Live Contacts -> (+) Ajch'ab'e'n rech Windows Live
powered by Windows Live -> (+) ruk' k'ak' taq chakub'al Windows Live
When a localized feature name can be treated as a proper noun, use no article. When it starts with a common name (tool, wizard), usually include the article ri or le.
A page that can be easily edited in the web browser using Web Edit.: es (–) Una página que se puede editar fácilmente en el explorador web con la Edición web. / (+) Una página que se puede editar fácilmente en el explorador web con Edición web.; quc (–) Jun kemam tzijob'elil ri man k'ax ta kab'an che k'exsuk'umanik pa le tzukk'utunel ruk' le Edición web. / (+)Jun kemam tzijob'elil ri man k'ax ta kab'an che k'exsuk'umanik pa le tzukk'utunel ruk' Edición web.
Create a new report project using Report Wizard.: es (–) Crear un nuevo proyecto de informes con Asistente para informes. / (+) Crear un nuevo proyecto de informes con el Asistente para informes.; quc (–) Uk'isaxik jun k'ak' wokchak rech wokutzijob'al chech Kemtob'anel wokutzijob'al. / (+) Uk'isaxik jun k'ak' wokchak rech wokutzijob'al chech le Kemtob'anel wokutzijob'al.
You cannot quit the Office Customization Tool because a dialog is active.: es (–) No se puede salir de Herramienta de personalización de Office porque hay un cuadro de diálogo activo. / (+) No se puede salir de la Herramienta de personalización de Office porque hay un cuadro de diálogo activo.; quc (–) Ma kuya' taj katel b'ik chi upam jeqk'utb'al chakub'al, rumal k'aslik jun utzijob'al kajuxkut. / (+) Ma kuya' taj katel b'ik chi upam ri jeqk'utb'al chakub'al, rumal k'aslik jun utzijob'al kajuxkut.
For an English loan word already used, consider motivation (does the English word have formally motivated features that integrate into the noun class system), analogy (is there an equivalent K'iche' term whose article could be used), and frequency (is the term used in other technical documentation, and with which article most often).
Some English terms have no translation, so they are used exactly as in English plus the article ri or le. Form the plural with the particle taq before the term. Gender is not identified.
bluetooth -> (–) bluetooth / (+) ri OR le bluetooth, article ri: (–) Rajawaxik katzij bluetooth che utaqik ri chak xb'anik. / (+) Rajawaxik katzij ri bluetooth che utaqik ri chak xb'anik.
web -> (–) web / (+) ri OR le web, article le: (–) E k'i taq chakub'al e k'o chi upam web. / (+) E k'i taq chakub'al e k'o chi upam le web.
codec -> (–) codec / (+) taq codec, plural particle taq: (–) Che uta'ik q'ojom e k'o k'i uwach codec, e ma ri sib'alaj kakojik are ri MP3. / (+) Che uta'ik q'ojom e k'o k'i uwach taq codec, e ma ri sib'alaj kakojik are ri MP3.
cookie -> (–) cookie / (+) taq cookie, plural particle taq: (–) Are chi' kak'is ri woktzukunik rajawaxik kachup le cookie. / (+) Are chi' kak'is ri woktzukunik rajawaxik kachup le taq cookie.
cache -> (–) caché / (+) caché. Gender is not identified: (+) Chi upam ri k'olib'al caché kak'ol jalajoj taq uwach tzijob'elil rech ke'riqitaj pa aninaqil.
K'iche' capitalization differs from English. Follow the normative rules. See Manual de redacción K'iche', Calendaria López, OKMA 1994, pages 44-47.
Use capital letters at the beginning of a segment, after periods, at the beginning of headings, in words that form headings, and to highlight proper nouns.
Use capital letters at the beginning of proper nouns, Mayan languages, place names, names of days and months in the Mayan Calendar, references to Mayan deities and altars, and names of festivities in the Mayan Calendar.
Write the word Mayan with a capital letter.
Proper noun: Log in as the user Kanek. -> (+) Umajik chak ruk ri b'i'aj Kanek.
The word Mayab': The Mayan people have kept their culture since the fifteenth century BC. -> (+) Ojer chik ri uxe'al ri Mayab' amaq', wa' xmajtajik nab'e chi uwach ri upetem ri kajaw ri e k'o kuk' le patre.
Capital letter after a period: The file you are trying to import is too big. Try importing a file not bigger than 10 MB. -> (+) Ri kemk'olonik ri kawaj kaqasaj sib'alaj nim. Utz we kaqasaj jun ri ma nim taj jacha' ri 10 MB.
For software interface elements, capitalize only the first letter of the first word in commands, dialog box titles, dialog box options, menus, buttons, and names of panes, views or windows.
From the File menu, disable Save As Web Page Complete.: es (+) En el menú Archivo, deshabilite Guardar como página web completa.; quc (+) Kaq'at ub'e ri Uk'olik pa Ukemam Tzijob'elil pa ri cholchakub'al rech ri Kemk'olonik.
Capitalize only the initial letter of a key name (pitz'b'al Bloq Mayús). When the key name is abbreviated (CTRL, ALT), follow the character formatting of the source: all caps in the source stays all caps; initial caps only stays initial caps.
Mark all as read Ctrl+Shift+A: es (+) Marcar todos como leídos Ctrl+Mayús+A; quc (+) Kab'an ri sik'pitz'onik ruk' ri Ctrl+Mayús+A
Reply to group Ctrl+G: es (+) Responder al grupo Ctrl+G; quc (+) Katzalij uwach ri tzij chi kech ri wokaj Ctrl+G
In headings, captions, table and figure titles, use initial capitals only for the first word and for proper nouns and interface terms that require it.
Workings with Files: es (–) Trabajo con Archivos / (+) Trabajo con archivos; quc (–) Chak ruk' ri Kemk'olonik / (+) Chak ruk' ri kemk'olonik
Quick Reference Guide: es (–) Guía de Referencia Rápida / (+) Guía de referencia rápida; quc (–) Aninaqil Uk'utb'alil rech Chak / (+) Aninaqil uk'utb'alil rech chak
Keep compounds understandable and clear. Avoid overly long or complex compounds. Unintuitive compounds are an intelligibility and usability issue.
For compound words see Ri Ukemiik ri Tz'ib'anik pa K'ichee' Ch'ab'al, Manual de Redacción K'ichee' (1994), section on Nouns according to composition and possession.
Write translated compound words like auto-correct and bi-directional as one word with no space.
bi-directional: es (+) bidireccional; quc (+) keb'b'e'al
auto-correct: es (+) autocorrección; quc (+) utukelamsuk'umanik
auto-joining: es (+) unión automática; quc (+) utukelamunuk'ik
read-write: es (+) lectura y escritura; quc (+) usik'ixik utz'ib'axik
There are two kinds of nouns: according to possession and according to composition. See Nouns in Gramática Pedagógica K'ichee', Sis and López, Universidad Rafael Landivar 1993, pages 15-25.
Invariant nouns take no change when possessed: Laq: (–) nu laq -> (+) nulaq
Subtractive nouns lose the final part of the form when possessed: jolomaj: (–) qajolomaj -> (+) qajolom
Additive nouns add a small part at the end when possessed: ixoq: (–) wixoq -> (+) wixoqil
Noun plus noun: two words with one meaning. Nan (mom), tat (dad): our parents (+) qanan qatat
Complex nouns: two separate words. When possessed, the second word bears the possession. Kam'al b'e (guide): our guide (–) qak'amal qab'e -> (+) k'amal qab'e
For inflection see Inflection Categories in Gramática K'ichee', Saqijix, 1997, pages 76-84.
For plural formation see Plurals in Gramática K'ichee', Saqijix, 1997, page 101.
Suffix -ab' (person plural suffix): (+) achijab'
Suffix -ib' (person plural suffix): (+) ixoqib'
Particle Taq, plural particle for most nouns: (+) taq imul
Use the correct preposition. Do not omit prepositions or change the word order under English influence.
See Prepositions in Ri Ukemiik ri Tz'ib'anik pa K'ichee' Ch'ab'al, Manual de Redacción K'ichee', Candelaria López Ixcoy, 1994, pages 119-120.
There are two prepositions: chi and pa. Written language uses the full form; spoken language uses the contraction. Both can stand alone or combine with relational nouns to indicate grammatical and locative case.
under: es debajo de; quc (–) Chuxe' -> (+) Chi uxe'
inside: es dentro de; quc (–) Chupam -> (+) Chi upam
See Punctuation in Ri Ukemiik ri Tz'ib'anik pa K'ichee' Ch'ab'al, Manual de Redacción K'ichee', Candelaria López Ixcoy, 1994, pages 65-68.
Comma: for correct and incorrect use see the normative reference, pages 65-68.
Use the Language setting category to change the default language in menus and dialog boxes.: es Para cambiar el idioma predeterminado de los menús y cuadros de diálogo, use la categoría Configuración de idioma.; quc (+) Rech kak'ex ri ch'ab'al ri kojom pa ri jalajoj taq cholchakub'al xuquje' pa ri utzijob'al kajuxkut, rajawaxik kakoj ri cholb'ixikilpa ri wiqitajem rech ri ch'ab'al.
Colon: see the normative reference, page 67. Record initiated: [date] [time]: es Registro iniciado: [fecha] [tiempo]; quc (+) Xmajtaj ri k'olcholchak: [q'ij] [kajb'al]
Hyphen: divides words between syllables, links parts of a compound word, and connects the parts of an inverted or imperative verb form. See Use of hyphens in the normative reference, pages 42-43.
(your) lady partner: quc (–) Rach'ali -> (+) Rach-'ali
When a hyphenated compound must not be divided between lines, for example MS-DOS, use a non-breaking hyphen (U002D or Ctrl+Shift+Hyphen).
En dash: used as a minus sign, usually with spaces before and after. Also used in number ranges such as page numbers, with no spaces. Example: – 18 C
Em dash: only to emphasize an isolated element or introduce an element that is not essential to the meaning.
Ellipses: see the normative reference, page 68. Remove all spaces before the ellipses sign, even when the source has one.
This choice is better than disabling all controls ... -> (+) Sib'alaj utz kataqex we jun b'eyal rech ma kaq'atex ta ri kib'e ri retal…
Command names in menus are followed by ellipses to show that a dialog window opens. In references to that command, in documentation or messages, the ellipses are not kept.
Period: see the normative reference, page 65. Convert the file to MP3 format.: es Convertir el archivo en formato MP3.; quc (+) Uq'axaxik ri kemk'olonik pa “MP3”.
Quotation marks: use at the beginning and end of literal quotations, with reference to the sayings of known people.
This is what Nik' te' and Saqijix wrote at the pedagogical grammar guide: “We, as Indigenous people, need to speak our language, K'iche', because we are Indigenous people and we do not belong to any other ethnic group.”: es Así escribieron Nik' te' y Saqijix en la gramática pedagógica “Es necesario que nosotros los indígenas hablemos en nuestro idioma K'iche'… porque somos indígenas y no de otra étnia.”; quc (+) Jewa' xkitz'ib'aj kan ri ali Nik' te' rachi'l ri ali Saqijix chi upam ri kiwuj “Chi rajawaxik ri oj oj K'iche' winaq kojtzijon pa qach'ab'al, pa K'iche' tzij… Rumal ri oj oj qawinaq, ma oj ta mu'sab'.”
Also use quotation marks to highlight a word or for a word that does not belong to the language: Convert the file to MP3 format.: es Convertir el archivo en formato MP3.; quc (+) Uq'axaxik ri kemk'olonik pa “MP3”.
The source may surround software references with English quotation marks.
Parentheses: no space between the parentheses and the text inside. K'iche' uses the same forms as Spanish, to enclose a sentence or explanatory phrase about date, place.
Version information (optional):: es Información de versión (opcional):; quc (+) Ib'ixikil ri q'ataj (kuya'o kakojik o wene' makakoj taj):
Glottal stop ’: see Gramática Pedagógica K'ichee', Sis and López, Universidad Rafael Landivar 1993, page 172.
See Ri Ukemiik ri Tz'ib'anik pa K'ichee' Ch'ab'al, Manual de Redacción K'ichee', Candelaria López Ixcoy, 1994, pages 50-62.
Possessive particles join before vowels and before consonants.
w-: Use the calculator from Windows tools.: es Usa la calculadora de las herramientas de Windows.; quc (–) Chakojo ri awajilanib'al ri k'o pa ri chakub'al rech ri Windows. -> (+) Chakojo ri awajilanib'al ri k'o pa ri chakub'al rech ri Windows.
a-: your computer: es su equipo; quc (–) a kematz'ib' -> (+) akematz'ib'
Joining verbs with time and aspect: Please refer to the Help documentation for more information: es Para obtener más información, consulte la documentación de la Ayuda; quc (–) Rech kariq nik'aj taq ub'ixikil, rajawaxik kawil uwach ri uwujil ri to'b'anem. -> (+) Rech kariq nik'aj taq ub'ixikil, rajawaxik kawil uwach ri uwujil ri to'b'anem.
Particle separation, Kanoq direction particle (the place where you are): Create a new user: es Crear un nuevo usuario; quc (–) Rajawaxik kawinaqirisajkan jun kak' rajaw. -> (+) Rajawaxik kawinaqirisajkan jun kak' rajaw.
Symbols are abbreviations of letters or non-alphabetical characters used in scientific and technical fields, for example for units of measurement or currency.
Cm: Centimeter -> Raqanlajulij
€: Euro -> Ch'aqapwaq
kB: Kilobyte -> Kilobyte
Degrees -> Grados
Always use a non-breaking space, not a normal space, between a unit of measure or currency and its number.
Make sure to include €1 as initial amount: es Asegúrese de incluir 1 € como cantidad inicial; quc (+) Rajawaxik kakoj le retal pwaq chi uwach ri ajilab'al,1 €
Key points: the order of items in a sentence (Gramática K'ichee', Saqijix, 1997, pages 341-349); verb arguments through Game A and Game B (pages 111-113); different voices, focusing on antipassive voice (pages 365-375).
Follow the normative rules on syntax. Do not transfer the English structure. Follow K'iche' word order and syntax so the text reads as if originally written in K'iche'.
A procedure is a series of steps the user must follow to complete a specific action.
There is no specific way to start a procedure, but it must always include a transitive or intransitive verb conjugated in the third person: Are wa' kab'anik rech kel jun tz'ajtz'ib'anik, To print a document. The phrase can be text or heading. As text it ends with a colon. As a heading it needs no punctuation mark. The following steps are full sentences, beginning with a capital letter and ending with a period.
To delete a frame border / Select the frame. / Choose Border from the Format menu.: es Para eliminar un borde del marco / Seleccione el marco. / Elija Borde en el menú Formato.; quc (+) Rech kachup uwach jun uchi' jun kajxkut / Rajawaxik kacha' ri uchi' pa ri cholchakub'al rech ri k'amwach.
When a step has two ways to perform it, separate the paragraphs and use the word – wene' utz–, then a verb conjugated in present tense and third person.
es En el menú Archivo, elija Guardar como. / O bien – / Presione F12.; quc (+) Pa ri cholchakub'al K'olchak, chacha'a ri Uk'olik pa. / Wene' utz – / Kapitz' ri F12.
See Gramática K'ichee', Saqijix, Candelaria López, 1997, pages 171-204.
Read me from Windows Internet Explorer.: es Léame de Windows Internet Explorer.; quc (+) Kinasik'ij pa ri Windows Tzukunel Nimk'atz.
Save data from favorite websites.: es Conservar datos de sitios web favoritos.; quc (+) Kak'ol ri juq'attzij rech ri jalajoj taq k'olib'al ri kasolij.
The infinitive falls into the verb category. It only names a verb; it is not a verb itself, because it does not take the position of a verb in a sentence. The infinitive usually carries the suffix –ik. Deleting that suffix moves it into another category, which takes the inflection of affixes from JA/ergative and JB/absolutive and becomes a verb.
The infinitive is under discussion; see Gramática K'ichee', Saqijix, Candelaria López, 1997.
B'ixonik: to sing, deleting suffix –ik: Kab'ixon le ak'al
B'anik: to do, adding possession prefix for JA, third person: ¿Jas kab'an che ub'anik ri chak?
B'ixonik: to sing, adding derivational suffix: Je'l taq b'ix kub'an le b'ixonel"
The main constituents of a sentence (verb, subject, object) take a given position to specify function and semantic meaning. The basic word order is VOS, without topicalizing, focusing or emphasizing any item. Other combinations are allowed, each with a specific context of use. See Gramática K'ichee', Saqijix, 1997, pages 341-359.
VOS: Deleting browser history -> (+) Kachup ri utzijob'elil ri nik'onib'al.
The language has two forms of address: formal and informal. The formal form addresses people with authority, by age or prestige in the community. Use the informal form: at.
Now you have an Internet connection: es Ahora usted tiene conexión a Internet; quc (–) Lal tiqital la pa ri Nimk'atz. -> (+) At tiqitalik pa ri Nimk'atz.
Voice is the relationship between a verb and the main arguments of a sentence, subject and object. Voices are active, passive and antipassive. For translation use only the active voice.
See Ri Ukemiik ri Tz'ib'anik pa K'ichee' Ch'ab'al, Manual de Redacción K'ichee', Candelaria López Ixcoy, 1994, pages 156-158.
You are now connected to the Internet.: es Está ahora conectado a Internet.; quc (+) Wechanim at tiqitalik pa ri Nimk'atz.
Acronyms are words made of the initial letters of the major parts of a compound term: WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get), OLE (Object Linking and Embedding), RAM (Random Access Memory).
In general no acronyms are used in K'iche'. When a translation for the compound term exists and an acronym is required, form it from the first letter of each word in the term. When the compound term has no translation, use the source-language acronym.
Write localized acronyms in capital letters. Acronyms have no gender.
Use a widely used localized acronym as is, without the spelled-out term. When the acronym in the approved terminology database is not widely used or could be confused with another, spell out the term and put the acronym in brackets at its first appearance in the text.
Automatic union: es Unión automática; quc utukelamunuk'ik, acronym UM
Drop-down menu: es Menú desplegable; quc Lik'ital choloqib'al, acronym LCH
When a common acronym stays in English, adding the fully spelled-out form only confuses users, so use the acronym on its own. Never localize or spell out these: ANSI (American National Standards Institute), CD, DOS, DSL, DVD, ISDN, ISO (International Standards Organization), IP.
When an acronym is not widely used, at its first occurrence write its full name in K'iche' in normal font followed by the English acronym in parentheses. When the full English name is also needed for clarity, write the full name in K'iche' in normal font followed in parentheses by the acronym and its full English spelling in italics.
If the application to which it is exported accepts dynamic data exchange (DDE) or object linking and embedding (OLE): es Si la aplicación a la que se exporte acepta el intercambio dinámico de datos (DDE) o la vinculación e incrustación de objetos (OLE), también se puede pegar un documento de gráfico vinculado en la otra aplicación.; quc (+) We ri kojkemchak ri tajin kb'an uq'axexik kuk'am ri intercambio dinámico de datos (DDE) wene' ri vinculación e incrustación de objetos (OLE), utz we kanek' jun wachib'al pa ri kojkemchak.
If the source application accepts dynamic data exchange (DDE): es Si la aplicación de origen acepta el intercambio dinámico de datos (DDE, Dynamic Data Exchange), se puede vincular la copia de la imagen con el documento de origen para que la copia se actualice siempre que éste se actualice.; quc (+) We ri uche'al ri kojkemchak kuk'am ri intercambio dinámico de datos (DDE, Dynamic Data Exchange), loq' kanuk' riuwachib'al ruk' ri uche'al ri wuj, ruk' la' ri e kab' kakinuk' kib'..
Application and product names are rarely translated. Feature names are occasionally trademarked too, for example IntelliSense™. Before translating any application, product, or feature name, verify that it is translatable and not protected.
Do not use the formal form Lal or alaq to address people in instructions. Use the regular form: at, ix. It is the generalized form of address.
Do not use gender in nouns. Use no gender; use the articles ri or le before nouns. K'iche' has no gender inflection.
Do not use relaxed vowels or vowels with diaeresis ä, ë, ï, ö, ü. Use simple vowels only: a, e, i, o, u. Practical writing promoted by the ALMG (Academia de Lenguas Mayas).
Do not use double possession in nouns. Refer to the Help manual: (–) Urilik ri wuj rech tob'anem -> (+) Rilik ri wuj rech tob'anem
Do not use incomplete forms in written words. Majb'l Cholchakub'l -> (+) Majb'al Cholchakub'al. Use the full form.
Applies to all menus, menu items, commands, buttons, check boxes. Translate them consistently in the localized product.
Main menus appear at the top of the user interface and typically include File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, Tools, Table, Window, Help.
Localize main menu names with simple, compound or abstract nouns. Infinitive verbs are also possible when the context allows.
View: es Ver; quc (+) Ilik
Edit: es Edición; quc (+) K'exsuk'umanem
Insert: es Insertar; quc (+) Kemunimik
Format: es Formato; quc (+) K'amwach chak
Tools: es Herramientas; quc (+) Chakub'al
Localize commands and menu items with simple, compound, abstract or verbal nouns. Translate commands with verbs conjugated in the second person singular, present tense, indicative or imperative mood.
Save As…: es Guardar como; quc (+) Uk'olik pa…
Print…: es Imprimir; quc (+) Tz'ajtz'ib'anik
Select All: es Seleccionar todo; quc (+) Ucha'ik ronojel
Print more than one copy: es Imprimir más de una copia; quc (+) Chatz'aja' keb' oxib' uwach wuj
Select the following: es Seleccione los siguientes datos; quc (+) Chacha' we juq'attzij
In dialog boxes keep terminology and style coherent across all dialog boxes. Solutions chosen now will be reused for applications localized later and for dialog boxes identical in several applications.
Headings of dialog boxes must be simple and coherent with the menu elements or commands that refer to them. Use verbal nouns, compound nouns or infinitives, the same pattern as menus.
Menu element Split cells: es Dividir celdas; quc (+) Ujachik k'olq'etal
Heading of dialog box Split cells: es División de celdas; quc (+) Ujachik k'olq'etal
Headings of group boxes must be simple, compound, abstract or verbal nouns. They can also use infinitive verbs, when the context allows, and verbs conjugated in present tense, second person singular, indicative or imperative mood. Some phrases require a particle.
Include with document: es Incluir con documento; quc (+) Uya'ik ruk' riwokwujchak
Printing Options: es Opciones de impresión; quc (+) Jalajoj taq tz'ajtz'ib'
Checkboxes use infinitives or conjugated verbs, simple, verbal, abstract or compound nouns, or a combination of particles.
Enable reminder: es Habilitar recordatorio; quc (+) Chaya' q'ij una'tajisaxik
Don't show me this dialog again.: es No mostrar este cuadro de diálogo de nuevo.; quc (+) Ma kak'ut ta jumul chik we jun utzijob'al kajuxku chi nuwach.
Always ask me first.: es Preguntarme primero.; quc (+) Amaq'el kata'na n'ab'e chwe.
Buttons use conjugated verbs in present tense, second person singular, indicative or imperative mood, or simple, verbal, abstract or compound nouns.
Add: es Agregar; quc (+) Tiqnimarisanik
Cancel: es Cancelar; quc (+) Uq'atexik
Continue: es Continuar; quc (+) Utaqexik
Dialog box tabs use infinitives, conjugated verbs, or simple, verbal, abstract or compound nouns.
Print: es Imprimir; quc (+) Tz'ajtzib'anik
Changes: es Cambios; quc (+) K'exb'alil
Format: es Formato; quc (+) K'amwach chak
Tables and list tables require verbs, preferably conjugated in imperative mood. Simple, verbal, abstract or compound nouns may be used if necessary.
Print it: es Imprímalo; quc (+) Chatz'ajtz'ib'aj wuj
Add it: es Agréguelo; quc (+) Chatiqnimarisaj
Change it: es Cámbielo; quc (+) Chak'exa'
Delete it: es Elimínelo; quc (+) Chachupu
Instructions in dialog boxes use conjugated verbs in imperative mood, since an action or a response is expected.
Change settings for the files Outlook uses to store e-mail messages and documents.: es Cambiar laconfiguración de los archivos que Outlook usa para almacenar mensajes de correo electrónico y documentos.; quc (+) Chak'exa' ri wiqitajem rech ri k'olchak ri kukoj ri outlook rech kayak ri taqoqxa'n pa kematz'ib' xuquje' ri taq wujil.
Information about tools is short phrases or sentences describing what an element does or how to use it. Use short phrases or sentences and verbs conjugated in second person singular, imperative mood.
Analyze items with a spreadsheet application.: es Analice los elementos con una aplicación de hoja de cálculo.; quc (+) Chanik'oj ri taq uq'a'b' tzij ruk' jun kojkemchak uxaq wokaj.
Messages, warnings, instructions and descriptions tell users how the product works or warn them about aspects that need attention.
Translate messages consistently so the user recognizes the message type immediately: error message, status bar message, interactive message.
Follow the VOS sentence word order carefully. Write in active voice with verbs conjugated in present tense. In some cases use the imperative mood.
A status bar message is an informational message about the active document, a selected command, or any active or selected interface item. It appears in the status bar at the bottom of the window when the user chooses a menu, command or other item, or starts a function. Status bar messages refer to actions being performed or already complete.
Keep a near-standard form in status bar messages, since the language allows several interpretations that could change the meaning.
Copy to Folder...(Copiar a carpeta) -> (+) Chawesaj uwach chi upam ri k'olib'al chak, menu, Copies the selected items to a new location (Copia los elementos seleccionados a una nueva ubicación) -> (+) Chawesaj uwach ronojel ri juq'attzijri acha'om chik, ka te ri' chaya' pa jun k'ak' k'olib'al.
New (Nuevo) -> (+) K'ak', command, Creates a new document (Crea un nuevo documento) -> (+) Chab'ana' jun k'ak' wuj
Visibility (Visibilidad) -> (+) Uk'utik uwach, command, Make object visible? (¿Hacer un objeto visible?) -> (+) ¿kak'ut uwachjun jastaq?
Press Esc to -> (+) Chapitz'a' Esc, command, Word is converting the document. Press Esc to stop. (Word está convirtiendo el document. Oprimir Esc para detener el proceso) -> (+) Ri Word tajin kuk'ex ri wujil. Chapitz'a' Esc rech katak'ab'a' ri chak.
The US product often phrases messages differently for the same meaning. Avoid this. Use one standard translation.
Press F1 to get Help (Oprima F1 para la Ayuda), If you want Help press F1 (SI necesita ayuda oprima F1), To get Help press F1 (para obtener ayuda oprima F1) -> (+) Chapitz'a' F1 rech katto'ik
Not enough memory (Memoria no suficiente), Insufficient memory (Memoria insuficiente), There is not enough memory (No hay suficiente memoria) -> (+) Ma kub'ana ta chi ri memk'olib'al
Save changes to %1? (¿Guardar cambios en %1?), Do you want to save changes to %1? (¿Desea guarder los cambios en %1?) -> (+) ¿La kawaj kab'an uk'olik ri k'exb'alil pa ri %1?
Error messages tell the user of an error that must be corrected for the program to keep running. They can prompt an action or tell the user that the computer needs rebooting.
Use consistent terminology and language style. Do not just translate error messages as they appear in the US product. Use standard terminology per the other sections of this guide.
When writing error messages, use the negative particles Man/ma + ta or taj, depending on the context.
Standardize standard phrases. The US sometimes uses different forms for the same thing. Use only one form to avoid extending the meaning of the message.
Cannot … (No se puede), Could not … (No se pudo) -> Man loq' taj: Man loq'ta kutor ri wuj. Negative particles coordinate with any type of verb.
Failed to … (Falló el), Failure of … (Falla al) -> K'o k'axk'olil: K'o k'axk'olil che umajik ri… This form is completed with an action like Chak, uchupik, uk'olik.
Cannot find … (no se puede encontrar), Could not find … (no se pudo encontrar), Unable to find … (imposible encontrar), Unable to locate … -> Ma kariqitaj ta ri …: Ma kariqitaj ta ri… (k'olib'al, wuj, ubixik…) This form is completed with an action or noun.
Not enough memory (no suficiente memoria), Insufficient memory (memoria insuficiente), There is not enough memory (no hay memoria suficiente), There is not enough memory available -> Ma kub'ana' ta chi ri kemk'olib'al: Ma kub'ana' ta chi ri kemk'olib'al rech uk'olik ri wuj.
... is not available (no está disponible), ... is unavailable -> Ma jamal taj: Ma jamal ta ri rajaw. Negative particles coordinate with any type of verb.
For messages with placeholders, find out what replaces the placeholder so the sentence stays grammatically correct.
%d, %ld, %u, %lu mean <number>; %c means <letter>; %s means <string>.
"Checking Web %1!d! of %2!d!" means "Checking Web <number> of <number>".
"INI file "%1!-.200s!" section" means "INI file "<string>" section".
The keyboard is the primary input device for text input. For accessibility and efficiency, most actions can also be performed with the keyboard. You use keys, key combinations and key sequences.
References to key names, like arrow keys, function keys and numeric keys, appear in normal text, not small caps. Same formatting in K'iche'.
Keyboards are not localized into K'iche'; the ones commonly used are in Spanish. Keys with a label on ordinary Spanish keyboards stay in Spanish. Keys without a label are localized into K'iche' for clarity.
Put the term pitz'b'al before all key labels when it is not already in the list below.
Underlined or highlighted letters in menu options, commands or dialog boxes are access keys, also called hot keys. They run commands or perform tasks more quickly.
Slim characters such as I, l, t, r, f: allowed, yes. In K'iche' the f is not used, except when really necessary (the term has no translation from Spanish to K'iche' and the character cannot be replaced).
Characters with downstrokes such as g, j, y, p, q: allowed, yes. In K'iche' the g is not used, except when really necessary (the term has no translation from Spanish to K'iche' and the character cannot be replaced).
Extended characters: not allowed.
An additional letter between brackets after the item name: not allowed.
A number between brackets after the item name: not allowed.
A punctuation sign between brackets after the item name: not allowed.
Duplicate hotkeys when no other character is available: N/A, engineering decision. Contact the product team representative.
No hotkey assigned when no more characters are available, minor options only: N/A, engineering decision. Contact the product team representative.
English chapter titles usually begin with How to …, Working with … or Using …. Follow the guidelines below.
Question phrases or sentences: use an interrogative particle per the context, then a verbal noun (similar to the Spanish infinitive) possessed in third person singular, then the noun needed.
How can I save a document?: es ¿Cómo guardar un documento?; quc (+) ¿Jas uk'olik jun wokwujchak?
For headings, prefer a verbal noun (similar to the Spanish infinitive) possessed in third person singular, followed by the noun needed.
Working with Word tools: es Trabajar con las herramientas de Word; quc (+) Ri ukojik ri uchakub'al ri Word
For headings of procedures, start with the verbal noun Rech, then the verbal noun (similar to the Spanish infinitive) possessed in third person singular, then the noun needed.
To print a document: es Para imprimir un documento; quc (+) Rech katz'ajtz'ib'aj jun wuj
Copyright protection is granted to any original work of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression from which it can be perceived, reproduced, or communicated.
Copyright: es Copyright; quc (+) Retal ri yatal che ri b'anal chak
All rights reserved: es Todos los derechos reservados; quc (+) Ri yatal che ri b'anal chak