Yo’onik Learning Center: Numbers in Tzotzil

Teaching is one of Yo'onik's objectives.

The children of Zinacantan all speak and write in their mother tongue, Tzotzil because it is very important for Yo'onik to preserve our language and that it be transmitted from generation to generation.

We encourage children to feel proud of their roots. 

As a second language, they also learn Spanish because most primary school teachers speak only Spanish and it is difficult for children to understand and learn at school, so in Yo'onik they are also taught Spanish so that they are not left behind with their education and learning. 

My name is Beatriz del Carmen González Gómez, I am nine years old, I have been attending Yo'onik for two years.  

In the first days it was very complicated to write, read, and speak Spanish. 

I felt that I couldn't do it because I was embarrassed about pronouncing the words and they made fun of me. 

My way of speaking is not very fluent but now I understand all the words, thanks to the support of the teachers and their patience with us. 

I will write some numbers and words in my mother tongue.

Lek chkijba k´alal chital ta yo´onik
(I feel great coming to yo'onik)

Mi lyoxuke!   ("Hello")

Numbers: 
Jun             1
Chib           2
Oxib           3   
Chanib       4
Vo´ob         5
Vakib          6
Vukub         7
Vaxakib       8
Baluneb      9
Lauuneb     10

Kolaval ti cha kolta´onike xchu´uk ti cha mala´ik ti k´un ta jchane cha vak´ik lek jchan ti vune, kolaval yo´onik.

(Thank you Yo’onik for supporting me and having the patience to teach me!)