Sierra Popoluca

JeɁm TzuɁukiny ‘The Caterpillar’
told by Eugenia Ramírez Gutiérrez

Lynda Boudreault
Sierra Popoluca is spoken in about 80 communities in the municipalities of Hueyapan de Ocampo, Soteapan, and Tatahuicapan in the southern part of the state of Veracruz. With some 28,000 speakers, children in remote communities are hearing and speaking the language in the home, although in more populous areas Sierra Popoluca has given way to Spanish as the home language. While referred to commonly as “Sierra Popoluca,” or simply “Popoluca,” in the region where it is spoken speakers self-identify as speakers of nɨntahɨy, meaning ‘true (nɨnta) word (hɨy)’.
The story JeɁm TzuɁukiny ‘The Caterpillar’ was narrated and translated by Eugenia Ramírez Gutiérrez in Santa Rosa Cintepec, Veracruz, in November 2005. It is the second version of the story recorded in the field. The story warns girls not to talk to strange men on the road.1

1)
speaker		 Winyyɨk winyyɨk winyyɨg ʔidyɨk jeʔm yoomo nɨkpa ʔidyɨk ʔipɨ́k nɨʔ.
wiñɨk wiñɨk wiñɨk ʔityʔɨk heʔm yoːmo Ø=nɨkː–pa ʔityʔɨk ʔi=pɨk–W nɨʔ
long.ago long.ago long.ago PAST DEM woman 3S=goAUX–INC PAST 3A=get–CMP water
‘Long ago, long ago, long ago, before, this woman went to get water.’
2)
speaker		 Fwej komo en ʔagoostoj, nɨkpa ʔipɨk nɨʔ.
fue como en agosto nɨkː–pa ʔi=pɨk–W nɨʔ
be:3SG:PAST like in August goAUX–INC 3A=get–DEP.TRNS water
‘It was like in August, she went to get water.’
3)
speaker		 Jeʔm nɨʔɨkutunhjoom ʔíty ʔidyɨk tum panatz tum paanatz.
heʔm nɨʔ•ku=tuŋ–hoːm Ø=ʔity–W ʔityʔɨk tuum panːa¢ tuum panːa¢
DEM water•SELF=road–onRN 3S=exist–CMP PAST one corkwood one corkwood
‘On the river road, there was a corkwood tree, a corkwood tree.’2
4)
speaker		 ʔi jeʔm panatz ʔagiʔidyɨk tzuʔukinyɨ́ʔy.
ʔi heʔm panːa¢ ʔagi=ʔityʔɨk Ø=¢uʔukiñ–ʔɨʔy–W
and DEM corkwood INTENS=PAST 3S=caterpillar–PROV–CMP
‘And this corkwood tree had caterpillars.’
5)
speaker		 ʔagitzuʔukinyɨ́ʔy.
ʔagi=Ø=¢uʔukiñ–ʔɨʔy–W
INTENS=3S=caterpillar–PROV–CMP
‘It had a lot of caterpillars.’
6)
speaker		 Peru ʔiriʔíty [ʔi]dyɨk tzuʔukiny.
pero ʔi=na=ʔity–W ʔityʔɨk ¢uʔukiñ
but 3A=ASSOC=have–CMP PAST caterpillar
‘But it had caterpillars.’
7)
speaker		 Mɨjanham.
Ø=mɨh•ʔaŋ=ʔam
3S=big•MOUTH=IAM
‘It’s big already.’
8)
speaker		 Jeʔm yoomo ʔagiʔiʔáʔm jeʔm tzuʔukiny.
heʔm yoːmo ʔagi=ʔi=ʔaʔm–W heʔm ¢uʔukiñ
DEM woman INTENS=3A=look–CMP DEM caterpillar
‘This woman looked at this caterpillar.’
9)
speaker		 Jeʔm tzuʔukiny ʔanhmɨʔnhpa ʔanhmɨʔnhpa.
heʔm ¢uʔukiñ Ø=ʔaŋ=mɨʔŋ–pa Ø=ʔaŋ=mɨʔŋ–pa
DEM caterpillar 3S=MOUTH=hop–INC 3S=MOUTH=hop–INC
‘It hopped and jumped.’
10)
speaker		 Jeʔm yoomo mój xik.
heʔm yoːmo moh–W Ø=sik–iʔ
DEM woman beginAUX–CMP 3S=laugh–DEP.INTRA
‘This woman began to laugh.’
11)
speaker		 Mój xiki ʔigajeʔm tzuʔukiny ʔanhmɨʔnhpa.
moh–W Ø=šik–iʔ ʔiɡa=heʔm ¢uʔukiñ Ø=ʔaŋ=mɨʔŋ–pa
beginAUX–CMP 3S=laugh–DEP.INTRA COMP=DEM caterpillar 3S=MOUTH=hop–INC
‘She began to laugh because this caterpillar was jumping.’
12)
speaker		 Jeʔm yoomo ʔagiʔixikkaʔaba.
heʔm yoːmo ʔaɡi=ʔi=šik–kaʔ–pa
DEM woman INTENS=3A=laugh–INSTR–INC
‘That woman laughed at it a lot.’
13)
speaker		 Dejpuej nás nɨgipɨ́k ʔinyɨʔ,
después Ø=nas–W nɨkː–W ʔi=pɨk–W ʔi=nɨʔ
after 3S=pass–CMP goAUX–CMP 3A=get–DEP.TRNS 3PSR=water
‘After it happened, she went to get her water,’
14)
speaker		 Nɨgipɨk ʔi=nyíʔ.
nɨkː–W ʔi=pɨk–W ʔi=nɨʔ
goAUX–CMP 3A=get–DEP.TRNS 3PSR=water
‘She went to get her water.’
15)
speaker		 Jesɨk seetyim ʔeeybɨktyim mój ʔiʔáʔm.
hesɨk seːt–i=ʔam ʔeːypɨʔktyiʔam moh–W ʔi=ʔaʔm–W
when returning–PROG=IAM again beginAUX–CMP 3A=look–DEP.TRNS
‘When she was returning again, she began to look.’
16)
speaker		 ʔi jeʔm tzuʔukiny ʔagiʔanhmɨʔnhpa.
ʔi heʔm ¢uʔukiñ ʔaɡi=Ø=ʔaŋ=mɨʔŋ–pa
and DEM caterpillar INTENS=3S=MOUTH=hop–INC
‘And this caterpillar hopped a lot.’
17)
speaker		 ʔagiʔanhmɨʔnhpa.
ʔaɡi=Ø=ʔaŋ=mɨʔŋ–pa
INTENS=3S=MOUTH=hop–INC
‘It hopped a lot.’
18)
speaker		 Jeʔ, bweenuj, seetu=m jeʔm yoomo ʔagiʔiʔaʔm.
heʔ bueno Ø=seːt–W=ʔam heʔm yoːmo ʔaɡi=ʔi=ʔaʔm–W
3PRO good 3S=return–CMP=already DEM woman INTENS=3A=look–CMP
‘She, well, she returned, this woman, she looked at it.’
19)
speaker		 Seetum.
Ø=seːt–W=ʔam
3S=return–CMP=IAM
‘This woman returned already.’
20)
speaker		 Nɨkɨm itɨkkɨʔɨm.
Ø=nɨkː–W=ʔam ʔi=tɨk–kɨʔɨm
3S=goAUX–CMP=IAM 3PSR=house–inRN
‘She went into her house.’
21)
speaker		 Dejpuej jesɨk tzuʔutyim piʔichum jeʔe monhpam.
después hesɨk ¢uʔuy=tyi=ʔam piʔičɨ=ʔam heʔ Ø=moŋ–pa=ʔam
after when late=just=IAM dark=IAM 3PRO 3S=sleep–INC=IAM
‘After, when it’s late, it’s dark already, she goes to sleep.’
22)
speaker		 Dejpuej ki jeʔe monhpam nɨmpa ʔiganɨk ʔiʔáʔm tum pɨɨxiny.
después que heʔ Ø=moŋ–pa=ʔam Ø=nɨm–pa ʔiɡa=nɨkː–W ʔi=ʔaʔm–W tuːm pɨːšiñ
after that 3PRO 3S=sleep–INC=IAM 3S=say–INC COMP=goAUX–CMP 3A=look–DEP.TRNS one man
‘After she sleeps, she says, she’ll go to see a man.’
23)
speaker		 ʔi jeʔm pɨɨxiny dya ʔii ke de veras jeʔ pɨɨxiny.
y heʔm pɨːšiñ dya y ki de‿veras heʔ pɨːšiñ
and DEM man NEG and that truly 3PRO man
‘And this wasn’t a man and he wasn’t truly a man.’
24)
speaker		 Jeʔ dya ʔidyɨk jeʔ pɨɨxiny.
heʔ dya ʔityʔɨk heʔ pɨːšiñ
3PRO NEG PAST 3PRO man
‘This was not a man.’
25)
speaker		 Jeʔ ʔidyɨk tzuʔukiny, tzuʔukiny.
heʔ ʔityʔɨk Ø=¢uʔukiñ ¢uʔukiñ
3PRO PAST 3S=caterpillar caterpillar
‘He was a caterpillar, a caterpillar.’
26)
speaker		 Jeʔm yoomo nɨkum ʔiʔáʔm tzuʔukiny.
heʔm yoːmo nɨkː–W=ʔam ʔi=ʔaʔm–W ¢uʔukiñ
DEM woman goAUX–CMP=IAM 3A=look–DEP.TRNS caterpillar
‘This woman when to go see the caterpillar.’
27)
speaker		 Nɨkɨm ʔiʔáʔm tzuʔukiny.
nɨkː–W=ʔam ʔi=ʔaʔm–W ¢uʔukiñ
goAUX–CMP=IAM 3A=look–DEP.TRNS caterpillar
‘She went to see the caterpillar.’
28)
speaker		 Dejpwej jeʔm yoomo nɨmpa, mich miʔii?
después heʔm yoːmo Ø=nɨm–pa mič mi=ʔiH
after DEM woman 3S=say–INC 2PRO 2S=who
‘After, the woman says, “Who are you?” ’
29)
speaker		 ʔi jeʔm tzuʔukiny nɨmpa ʔidyɨk,
ʔi heʔm ¢uʔukiñ Ø=nɨm–pa ʔityʔɨk
and DEM caterpillar 3S=say–INC PAST
‘And the caterpillar said,’
30)
speaker		 Kej mich dya [ʔiny] ʔinyjɨɨspa ʔɨch ʔa=ʔii?
que mič dya ʔin=hɨːs–pa ʔɨč ʔa=ʔiH
that 2PRO NEG 2A=think–INC 1PRO 1S.EXC=who
‘ “You don’t remember who I am?” ’
31)
speaker		 Nɨmpa, dya, mich miʔii?
Ø=nɨm–pa dya mič mi=ʔiH
3S=say–INC NEG 2PRO 2S=who
‘She says, “No, who are you?” ’
32)
speaker		 Ke mich dya ʔinyʔaʔmpa juuty dya ʔaʔnyíx?
que mič dya ʔin=ʔaʔm–pa huːty dya ʔan=ʔiš–W
that 2PRO NEG 2A=look–INC where NEG 2A:1O=see–CMP
‘ “You don’t remember where you saw me?” ’
33)
speaker		 Dya ʔiʔnyaʔmpa juuty dya ʔaʔnyix.
dya ʔin=ʔaʔm–pa huːty dya ʔan=ʔiš–W
NEG 2A=look–INC where NEG 2A:1O=see–CMP
‘ “You don’t remember where you saw me.” ’
34)
speaker		 Nɨmpa, dya.
Ø=nɨm–pa dya
3S=say–INC NEG
‘She says, “No.” ’
35)
speaker		 Mmm [inaud] sɨʔɨp dice ʔamonhtaʔm[pa]. Tamonhpam.
mmm sɨʔɨp ʔa=moŋ–taʔm–pa ta=moŋ–pa=ʔam
mmm now 1S.EXC=sleep–12PL–INC 1S.INCL=sleep–INC=IAM
‘ “Mmm, now, let’s sleep. Let’s sleep already.’
36)
speaker		 Dya ʔinyjɨɨspa juudy ʔaʔnyíx?
dya ʔin=hɨːs–pa huːty ʔan=ʔiš–W
NEG 2A=think–INC where 2A:1O=see–CMP
‘ “You don’t remember where you saw me? ’
37)
speaker		 Mejor ʔatzenʔnáʔy ʔammɨjpak.
mejor ʔa=¢en–ʔaʔy–W ʔan=mɨh•pak
better 1PO.EXC=tie–IND–CMP 1PSR.EXC=big•bone
‘ “Better, tie my waist.’
38)
speaker		 ʔatzeʔnáʔy ʔammɨjpɨk.
ʔa=¢en–ʔaʔy–W ʔan=mɨh•pak
1PO.EXC=tie–IND–CMP 1PSR.EXC=big•bone
‘ “Tie my waist.” ’
39)
speaker		 ʔipɨ́k jeʔm yoomo.
ʔi=pɨk–W heʔm yoːmo
3A=take–CMP DEM woman
‘The woman took it.’
40)
speaker		 ʔicheʔnáʔy ʔimɨjpɨk kun tum piʔityi tzabatzpɨʔk.
ʔi=¢en–ʔaʔy–W ʔi=mɨh•pak con tuum piʔity–i Ø=¢apʔa¢=pɨʔk
3A=tie–IND–CMP 3PSR=big•bone with one spin–NOM 3S=red=REL
‘She tied his waist with a string that was red.’
41)
speaker		 Tuum piʔityi tzaʔbatzpɨʔk ʔicheʔnaʔyum.
tuum piʔity–i Ø=¢apʔa¢=pɨʔk ʔi=¢en–ʔaʔy–W=ʔam
one spin–NOM 3S=red=REL 3A=tie–IND–CMP=IAM
‘A string that was red, she tied on (his waist).’
42)
speaker		 Dejpwej kukejum, nɨkkum.
después Ø=ku=keh–W=ʔam Ø=nɨkː–W=ʔam
after 3S=SELF=appear–CMP=IAM 3S=go–CMP=IAM
‘After dawn came, he went already.’
43)
speaker		 Dejpuej ʔinyɨʔmaʔypa,
después ʔi=nɨm–ʔaʔy–pa
after 3A=say–IND–INC
‘After, she tells him,’
44)
speaker		 ke nɨmpa, dya ʔa ʔnix.
que Ø=nɨm–pa dya ʔan=ʔiš–W
that 3S=say–INC NEG 1A.EXC=see–CMP
‘that, she says, “I didn’t see him.” ’
45)
speaker		 ʔipɨkpa dya.
ʔi=pɨk–pa dya
3A=take–INC NEG
‘She didn’t take him.’
46)
speaker		 Jeʔ dya ʔiʔixpɨkpa.
heʔ dya ʔi=ʔiš•pɨk–pa
3PRO NEG 3A=see•take–INC
‘She didn’t recognize him.’
47)
speaker		 Pwej sɨʔɨp nɨmpa, raatuj nɨkpa ʔimpɨk ʔinyɨʔ.
pues sɨʔɨp Ø=nɨm–pa rato nɨk–pa ʔin=pɨk–W ʔi=nɨʔ
well now 3S=say–INC a.while goAUX–INC 2A=take–DEP.TRNS 3PSR=water
‘Well, now he says, “In a while, go get your water.’
48)
speaker		 ʔakuʔaʔamɨ tunhjoom.
ʔa=ku=ʔaʔm–ɨʔ tuŋ–hoːm
2PO=ELSE=look.for–IMP road–onRN
‘ “Look for me on the road.’
49)
speaker		 Ke jemum ʔaʔnyixpa.
que hemɨ=ʔam ʔan=ʔiš–pa
that there=IAM 2A:1O=see–INC
‘ “There you’ll see me.’
50)
speaker		 Jemum ʔaʔnyixpa.
hemɨ=ʔam ʔan=ʔiš–pa
there=IAM 2A:1O=see–INC
‘ “There you’ll see me.” ’
51)
speaker		 Aaa bweenuj.
‘ “Ah, okay.” ’
52)
speaker		 Dejpuej jeʔm yoomo, komo ʔa las ʔoocho, nɨkum ʔipɨk ʔinyɨʔ.
después heʔm yoːmo como a las ocho nɨkː–W=ʔam ʔi=pɨk–W nɨʔ
after DEM woman like at the eight goAUX–CMP=IAM 3A=take–DEP.TRNS water
‘Afterward, the woman, around eight (in the morning), went to get water.’
53)
speaker		 Jesɨk nuʔkgakpam juudy ʔiʔíx matɨk jeʔm tzuʔukiny ʔaʔmnɨggakpaʔam.
hesɨk Ø=nuʔk–ɡak–pa=ʔam huuty ʔi=ʔiš–W matɨʔk heʔm ¢uʔukiñ Ø=ʔaʔm•nɨkː–ɡak–pa=ʔam
when 3S=arrive–REPET–INC=IAM where 3A=see–CMP yesterday DEM caterpillar 3S=look•go–REPET–INC=IAM
‘When she arrived where she saw the caterpillar the day before, she looked ahead again.’
54)
speaker		 Jesɨk ʔiʔixɨm kuyyukmɨ ʔiganeʔksneʔyajum.
hesɨk ʔi=ʔiš–w=ʔam kuy–yuk‿mɨ
when 3A=see–CMP=IAM tree–on.topRN
‘When she looked at the tree, (the caterpillars) were stuck to the tree already.’
55)
speaker		 Neʔksneʔyajum.
Ø=neʔks–neʔ–yah–W=ʔam
3S=stick–ASSUM–3PL–CMP=IAM
‘They were stuck on.’
56)
speaker		 Kukmɨ jemum ʔidyɨk ʔíty jeʔm tzuʔukiny kun ʔijiiluj,
kukmɨ hemɨ=ʔam ʔityʔɨk Ø=ʔity–W heʔm ¢uʔukiñ con ʔi=hiːluh
amongRN there=IAM PAST 3S=exist–CMP DEM caterpillar with 3PSR=thread
‘There he was, the caterpillar with his thread,’
57)
speaker		 ʔigatzeʔnaʔytyáj ʔimɨjpak.
ʔiɡa=Ø=¢en–ʔaʔy–taH–W ʔi=mɨh•pak
COMP=3S=tie–IND–PASS–CMP 3PSR=big•bone
‘that had been tied on his waist.’
58)
speaker		 Dejpuej jeʔm yoomo ʔanhyaʔkum.
después heʔm yoːmo Ø=ʔaŋ=yaʔk–W=ʔam
after DEM woman 3S=MOUTH=sad–CMP=IAM
‘After, the woman was sad.’
59)
speaker		 ʔanhyaʔkum.
Ø=ʔaŋ=yaʔk–W=ʔam
3S=MOUTH=sad–CMP=IAM
‘She was sad already.’
60)
speaker		 Porkej dya jeʔ ʔidyɨk pɨɨxiny ʔóy ʔiʔáʔm, [sino] tzuʔukiny.
porque dya heʔ ʔityʔɨk pɨːšiñ ʔoy–W ʔi=ʔaʔm–W sino ¢uʔukiñ
because NEG 3PRO PAST man go.and.returnAUX–CMP 3A=look–DEP.TRNS but caterpillar
‘Because it wasn’t a man that she had gone back to see, but a caterpillar.’
61)
speaker		 Tzuʔukiny ʔidyɨk.
Ø=¢uʔukiñ ʔityʔɨk
3S=caterpillar PAST
‘Caterpillars, they were caterpillars.’
62)
speaker		 Dejpuej nás diyaj.
después Ø=nas–W días
after 3S=pass–CMP days
‘Afterward, days went by.’
63)
speaker		 Nás mees[es].
Ø=nas–W meses
3S=pass–CMP months
‘Months went by.’
64)
speaker		 Dejpuej nɨmpa jeʔm yoomo, ʔɨch kreu ʔamaanɨgɨʔyɨm.
después Ø=nɨm–pa heʔm yoːmo ʔɨč creo ʔa=maːnɨk–ʔɨʔy–W=ʔam
after 3S=say–INC DEM woman 1PRO believe:1SG:PRES 1S.EXC=child–PROV–CMP=IAM
‘After, the woman says, “I think I’m pregnant.’
65)
speaker		 ʔɨch nɨmpa kreu ʔamaanɨgɨ́ʔy.
ʔɨč Ø=nɨm–pa creo ʔa=maːnɨk–ʔɨʔy–W
1PRO 3S=say–INC believe.1S.PRES 1S.EXC=child–PROV–INC
‘ “I,” she says, “think I’m pregnant.” ’
66)
speaker		 Dejpuej núʔk ʔityeempuj.
después Ø=nuʔk–W ʔi=tiempo
after 3S=arrive–CMP 3PSR=time
‘Afterward, her time came.’
67)
speaker		 Toypam ʔipuʔu.
Ø=toy–pa=ʔam ʔi=puʔu
3S=hurt–INC=IAM 3PSR=stomach
‘Her belly hurt.’
68)
speaker		 Toypam ʔipuʔu.
Ø=toy–pa=ʔam ʔi=puʔu
3S=hurt–INC=IAM 3PSR=stomach
‘Her belly hurt.’
69)
speaker		 Nɨmpam ʔiganaypam ʔimaanɨk.
Ø=nɨm–pa=ʔam ʔiɡa=Ø=nay–pa=ʔam ʔi=maːnɨk
3S=say–INC=IAM COMP=3S=be.born–INC=IAM 3PSR=child
‘She said her child was going to be born.’
70)
speaker		 Peruj dya jeʔ ʔimaanɨk. Puruj tzuʔukiny.
pero dya heʔ ʔi=maːnɨk puro Ø=¢uʔukiñ
but NEG 3PRO 3PSR=child pure 3S=caterpillar
‘But it wasn’t her child. They were nothing but caterpillars.’
71)
speaker		 Puruj tzuʔukiny naynyéʔ.
puro ¢uʔukiñ Ø=nay–neʔ–W
pure caterpillars 3S=born–PERF–CMP
‘Nothing but caterpillars had been born.’
72)
speaker		 Dejpuej kóm jeʔm ʔityɨk naxyukmɨ, tɨganhkoobak juuty monhpa.
después Ø=kom–W heʔm ʔi=tɨk naš–yukmɨ tɨk–ʔaŋ•kopak huːty Ø=moŋ–pa
after 3S=fill–CMP DEM 3PSR=house ground–onRN house–MOUTHRN•aboveRN where 3S=sleep–INC
‘After, they filled up her house on the floor, on the part of the house above where they sleep.’
73)
speaker		 Peeruj ʔíty tzuʔukiny, peeruj jaʔyanh!
pero Ø=ʔity–W ¢uʔukiñ pero haʔyʔaŋ
but 3S=exist–CMP caterpillar but many
‘But there were caterpillars, but many!’
74)
speaker		 ʔasta ʔanhkɨʔɨm.
hasta ʔaŋ=kɨʔ–mɨ
until MOUTH=outside.LOC
‘As far as outside.’
75)
speaker		 Dejpuej míny ʔiʔáʔm ʔityɨwɨtam.
después miñ–W ʔi=ʔaʔm–W ʔi=tɨːwɨ=tam
after comeAUX–CMP 3A=look–DEP.TRNS 3PSR=brother=HPL
‘After, her brothers (the people) came to see.’
76)
speaker		 Dya wɨʔap ʔinyuʔkyáj.
dya wɨH‿ʔaH–pa ʔi=nuʔk–yah–W
NEG be.ableAUX–INC 3S=arrive–3PL–DEP.INTRB
‘They couldn’t get in.’
77)
speaker		 Porkej ʔagitzuʔukiny ʔagiʔíty.
porque ʔagi=¢uʔukiñ ʔagi=Ø=ʔity–W
because INTENS=caterpillar INTENS=3S=exist–CMP
‘There were so many caterpillars.’
78)
speaker		 Dejpuej jeʔm ʔityɨɨwɨtam ʔóy ʔiʔaʔmyáj paanij.
después heʔm ʔi=tɨːwɨ=tam ʔoy–W ʔi=ʔaʔm–yah–W paːnih
after DEM 3A=brother=HPL go.and.returnAUX–CMP 3A=look–3PL–DEP.TRNS priest
‘After, these brothers went to find the priest.’
79)
speaker		 ʔóy ʔiʔaʔmyáj paanij.
ʔoy–W ʔi=ʔaʔm–yah–W paːnih
go.and.returnAUX–CMP 3A=look–3PL–DEP.TRNS priest
‘They went to find the priest.’
80)
speaker		 Dejpuej jeʔm paanij míny.
después heʔm paːnih Ø=miñ–W
after DEM priest 3S=come–CMP
‘After, the priest came.’
81)
speaker		 Míny ʔiʔáʔm jeʔm yoomo.
miñ–W ʔi=ʔaʔm–W heʔm yoːmo
come–CMP 3A=look–CMP DEM woman
‘He came to see this woman.’
82)
speaker		 ʔii tumpɨy la jeentej minyyaju=m ʔi=ʔaʔmyáj.
y tumpɨy la gente Ø=miñ–yah–W=ʔam ʔi=ʔaʔm–yah–W
and all the people 3S=come–3PL–CMP=IAM 3A=look–3PL–CMP
‘And all the people went to see this woman.’
83)
speaker		 ʔekuʔaʔmtɨkyajum ʔi tyumpɨy jeʔm ʔijeentej.
ʔi=ku=ʔaʔm•tɨk–yah–W=ʔam ʔi=tumpɨy heʔm ʔi=gente
3A=ELSE=look•VPPD–3PL–CMP=IAM 3PSR=all DEM 3PSR=people
‘All the people came to look at her.’
84)
speaker		 Nɨmpa paanij dejpuej,
Ø=nɨm–pa paːnih después
3S=say–INC priest after
‘After, the priest says,’
85)
speaker		 Michtyam tyii minyɨmtaʔmpa?
mič=tam tyiH mi=nɨm–taʔm–pa
2PRO=HPL what 2S=say–HPL–INC
‘ “You all, what do you say?’
86)
speaker		 Wɨɨ taʔnáʔm yɨʔp tzuʔukiny, ʔu dya wɨɨ?
wɨH tan=ʔaʔm–W yɨʔp ¢uʔukiñ o dya wɨH
good 1A.INCL=look–CMP this caterpillar or NEG good
‘ “Is it good to look at these caterpillars, or not good?” ’
87)
speaker		 Nɨmyajpa ʔityɨɨwɨtam, dya wɨɨ, taʔnáʔm.
Ø=nɨm–yah–pa ʔi=tɨːwɨ=tam dya wɨH tan=ʔaʔm–W
3S=say–3PL–INC 3A=brother=HPL NEG good 1A.INCL=look–CMP
‘His brothers (the people) say, “Not good, we see.’
88)
speaker		 Porkej yɨʔp ʔenkaantujyajam. Chanekejyaj.
porque yɨʔp Ø=ʔenkaːntuh–yah=ʔam Ø=chaneque=yah
because this 3S=enchanter–INC=IAM 3S=supernatural.being=3PL
‘ “Because they are enchanters. They’re chaneques.’3
89)
speaker		 Dya wɨɨ taʔnaʔmtá[ʔm].
dya wɨH tan=ʔaʔm–taʔm–W
NEG good 1A.INCL=look–12PL–CMP
‘ “It’s not good to look at them.” ’
90)
speaker		 Sɨʔɨp, nɨmpa paanij, sɨʔɨp tyij tanwatpa?
sɨʔɨp Ø=nɨm–pa paːnih sɨʔɨp tyiH tan=wat–pa
now 3S=say–INC priest now what 1A.INCL=do–INC
‘ “Now,” says the priest, “now what are we going to do?” ’
91)
speaker		 Nɨmpa ʔityɨɨwɨtam, peruj tyii tanwatpa?
Ø=nɨm–pa ʔi=tɨːwɨ=tam pero tyiH tan=wat–pa
3S=say–INC 3PSR=brother–HPL but what 1A.INCL=do–INC
‘The people say, “But what do we do?” ’
92)
speaker		 Yɨʔp yoomo tannoʔoba.
yɨʔp yoːmo tan=noʔ–pa
this woman 1A.INCL=burn–INC
‘ “We’re going to burn this woman.’
93)
speaker		 Tan=noʔket, nɨmpa paanij.
tan=noʔ•ket–W Ø=nɨm–pa paːnih
1A.INCL=burn•descend–CMP 3S=say–INC priest
‘ “We’re going to burn her all up,” ’ says the priest says.’
94)
speaker		 Sɨʔɨp tannoʔket pa. ʔityumpɨy yɨʔp ʔityɨk ʔityumpɨy.
sɨʔɨp tan=noʔ•ket–pa ʔi=tumpɨy yɨʔp ʔi=tɨk ʔi=tumpɨy
now 1A.INCL=burn•descend–INC 3PSR=all this 3PSR=house 3PSR=all
‘ “Now we’re going to burn her all up. The whole house, all of it.’
95)
speaker		 Mich matztaʔmɨʔ kuy.
mič ma¢–taʔm–ɨʔ kuy
2PRO grab–12PL–IMP tree
‘ “You go get wood.’
96)
speaker		 Jemɨkpɨʔk sɨʔɨyajpa tɨgɨskɨʔɨm jeʔm tzuʔukin,
hemɨk=pɨʔk Ø=sɨʔ–yah–pa tɨk–ʔɨskɨ–kɨʔɨm heʔm ¢uʔukiñ
there=REL 3S=walk–3PL–INC house–behindRN–LOC DEM caterpillar
‘ “Those that walk behind the house, the caterpillars,’
97)
speaker		 jipinytyaʔamɨ noʔokettaʔmɨ mientras [jipspa].
hipiñ–taʔm–ɨʔ noʔ•ket–taʔm–ɨʔ mientras Ø=hips–pa
push.with.stick–12PL–IMP burn•descend–12PL–IMP while 3S=burn–INC
‘ “push them with the stick. Burn them while she burns.” ’
98)
speaker		 Sɨʔɨp ʔijíps ʔityɨk.
sɨʔɨp ʔi=hips–W ʔi=tɨk
now 3A=burn–CMP 3PSR=house
‘Now they burned the house.’
99)
speaker		 ʔiwatyáj jeʔm tyɨɨwɨtam. ʔityumpuy ʔinyoʔoketyáj.
ʔi=wat–yah–W heʔm tɨːwɨ=tam ʔi=tumpɨy ʔi=noʔ•ket–yah–W
3A=do–3PL–CMP DEM brother=HPL 3PSR=all 3A=burn•descend–3PL–CMP
‘The townspeople did it. They burned it all up.’
100)
speaker		 Noʔokettaapa jeʔm yoomo.
Ø=noʔ•ket–taH–pa heʔm yoːmo
3S=burn•descend–PASS–INC DEM woman
‘The woman was burned up.’
101)
speaker		 Kon todo jeʔm ʔichuʔukiny.
con todo heʔm ʔi=¢uʔukiñ
with all DEM 3PSR=caterpillars
‘With all the caterpillars.’
102)
speaker		 ʔinyoʔoketyáj nɨ́m paanij jesɨk ʔinɨʔmaʔyyáj jeʔm ʔi tyɨɨwɨtam,
ʔi=noʔ•ket–yah–W Ø=nɨm–W paːnih hesɨk ʔi=nɨm–ʔaʔy–yah–W heʔm ʔi=tɨːwɨ=tam
3A=burn•descend–3PL–CMP 3S=say–CMP priest when 3A=say–IND–3PL–CMP DEM 3PSR=brother=HPL
‘They burned them up, the priest said, then he told his brothers,’
103)
speaker		 Mich ʔoy ʔaʔmtáʔm jeʔm tzuʔukiny porkej dya wɨɨ.
mič ʔotʔoy ʔaʔm–taʔm–W heʔm ¢uʔukiñ porque dya wɨH
2PRO NEG look–12PL–IMP DEM caterpillar because NEG good
‘ “Don’t you look at these caterpillars because it’s not good (to look).” ’
104)
speaker		 Sɨʔɨp la jeentej ninguunuj dya ʔiʔaʔmpa jeʔm tzuʔu[kiny].
sɨʔɨp la gente ninguno dya ʔi=ʔaʔm–pa heʔm ¢uʔukiñ
now the people none NEG 3A=look–INC DEM caterpillar
‘Since then, no one looks at those caterpillars.’
105)
speaker		 ʔikɨɨnhyajpa.
ʔi=kɨːŋ–yah–pa
3A=fear–3PL–INC
‘They fear them.’
106)
speaker		 ʔikɨɨnhyajpa.
ʔi=kɨːŋ–yah–pa
3A=fear–3PL–INC
‘They fear them.’
107)
speaker		 Porkej dya wɨɨ tan=ʔáʔm.
porque dya wɨH tan=ʔaʔm–W
because NEG good 1A.INCL=look–CMP
‘Because it is not good to look.’
108)
speaker		 Juuty nuʔkpa, ta=tzukspa.
huːty Ø=nuʔk–pa ta=¢uks–pa
where 3S=arrive–INC 1PO.INCL=scratch–INC
‘Where they arrive, they scratch us.’
109)
speaker		 ʔi dya kɨʔtzʔaʔypa.
ʔiː dya Ø=kɨ¢–ʔaʔy–pa
and NEG 3S=detach–ANTIP–INC
‘They don’t come off.’
110)
speaker		 Nuʔkpa, tawaspa, tawaspa.
ta=nuʔk–pa ta=was–pa ta=was–pa
1S.INCL=arrive–INC 1PO.INCL=bite–INC 1PO.INCL=bite–INC
‘We arrive, they bite us.’
111)
speaker		 Maaluj jeʔm tzuʔukiny, maaluj.
Ø=malo heʔm ¢uʔukiñ Ø=malo
3S=bad DEM caterpillar 3S=bad
‘They’re bad, those caterpillars. They’re bad.’
112)
speaker		 ʔii dya wɨɨ jeʔm tzuʔukiny ʔi ʔagi=chikiny.
ʔiː dya wɨH heʔm ¢uʔukiñ ʔiː ʔagi=Ø=čikiñ
and NEG good DEM caterpillar and INTENS=3S=striped
‘They’re ugly, those caterpillars, and they are very striped.’
Notes
  1. The caterpillar in this tale is thought to be the Arsenura arianae, a green, yellow and red striped caterpillar that eats en masse the leaves of a limited number of trees, including Heliocarpus species. In some indigenous communities throughout Mexico, Arsenura arianae is considered a delicacy. [back]
  2. Panaatz is translated as jonote in Spanish. The tree in this story is thought to be a species of the Heliocarpus family. It is translated here as “corkwood,” a common name for a number of plant species. [back]
  3. Chaneques are mythological creatures in Mexican folklore. Small and mischievous, they are of the natural world and seen as protectors of nature. [back]