Over one million Mayan Indians live and work in Southern Mexico, and six Mayan languages continue to thrive there—languages more than 3,000 years old. In the 1950s, anthropologist Robert Laughlin and his wife Mimi arrived in Chiapas, where Laughlin planned to conduct his linguistic research. At that time, he expected to learn the Tzotzil language without too much trouble, and be welcomed into the indigenous culture. As he soon found out, Tzotzil is a fantastically detailed language full of metaphors, word play, and poetic description that require the speaker to fully understand the Mayan culture and worldview in order to effectively communicate. Vocabulary and grammar were only the tip of the iceberg. Producer Katie Davis tells the story of the decades Laughlin spent learning the relationship between Mayan culture, the Tzotzil language, and the evolution of the Mayan relationship to the modern world.

The Soundprint documentary series features the best work of top radio producers. The award winning documentaries are renowned for drawing the listener into the story with compelling interviews, authentic voices and rich sound. From memoirs to science, health and popular culture, Soundprint creates a powerful experience the listener will not soon forget.

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Curanderismo: Folk Healing in the Southwest Produced by Maria Martin

The Day of the Dead Produced by: Marco Vinicio Gonzalez and Maria Hinojosa

In the Long Run: The Tarahumara Indians of Mexico Produced by: John Burnett

Mending the Hoop: Native American Culture and Spirit Rituals Produced by: Alex Van Oss, Dick Brooks and Dale Looks Twice

Soundprint Executive Producer: Moira Rankin

Technical Director: Anna Maria de Freitas

Editor: Jude Doherty

Audio Engineer: Robin Wise

Field Recordings: Leo del Aguila

Production Assistant: Francesca Raimand