Felipe H. Lopez
I was born in San Lucas Quiaviní, Oaxaca. My first language was Zapotec. At the age of 16 I came to Los Angeles, California, speaking no English and little Spanish. There I began documenting my language and working on language valorization projects. In 1999 we published a trilingual Zapotec-Spanish-English dictionary on my language (Munro & Lopez, et al. 1999). Meanwhile I continued my education and in 2007 I completed my Ph.D. in Urban Planning at UCLA. Since then I have taught Valley Zapotec language classes at the University of California San Diego, UCLA, and Haverford College.
My Zapotec language poems have appeared in the Latin American Literary Review, The Acentos Review, and Latin American Literature Today. My short story Liaza chaa 'I am going home' won the 2017 Premios CaSa award for the creation of Zapotec literature. I am currently working on a book of Zapotec poems.
Below are examples of my work and contact information to arrange readings or presentations.
My Zapotec language poems have appeared in the Latin American Literary Review, The Acentos Review, and Latin American Literature Today. My short story Liaza chaa 'I am going home' won the 2017 Premios CaSa award for the creation of Zapotec literature. I am currently working on a book of Zapotec poems.
Below are examples of my work and contact information to arrange readings or presentations.
Zapotec poetry
original poetry in Zapotec with translations
I write in my language because my memories are in Zapotec. My soul speaks Zapotec.
I translate them because I want others to understand and see themselves in my words.
I write in my language because my memories are in Zapotec. My soul speaks Zapotec.
I translate them because I want others to understand and see themselves in my words.
Seven Poems |
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Mam and Guepy |
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Poetry as lyrics
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Two of my Zapotec poems have been used as lyrics for art songs composed by Kathryn Goldberg. To hear the music, visit her website at:
kathryngoldberg.weebly.com/projects.html |
Translation of poetry into ZapotecThe exercise of translating non-Zapotec language poetry into my language is not trivial. It's not only a matter of translating words, but translating culture and context. This process allows me to more deeply reflect on the nature and power of my language.
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translated from Shakespeare's Sonnet 29
When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featur'd like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
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