Huichol

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A language of Mexico

ISO 639-3
hch
Alternate Names
Vixaritari Vaniuqui, Vizaritari Vaniuki
Population

17,800 (2000 INALI). Ethnic population: 20,000 to 50,000.

Location

Northeast Nayarit and northwest Jalisco. Main centers are Guadalupe Ocotán, Nayarit, San Andrés Cohamiata, San Sebastián, Santa Catarina, and Tuxpan de Bolaños.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Uto-Aztecan, Southern Uto-Aztecan, Corachol-Aztecan, Cora-Huichol
Dialects

Coyultita, Huichol del norte, Huichol del sur, San Andrés Cohamiata (Huichol del oeste, Western Huichol), San Sebastián-Santa Catarina (Eastern Huichol, Huichol del este). Lexical similarity: 58% with El Nayar Cora [crn], (most similar) (Miller 1984).

Typology

SOV; long words, prefixes, suffixes, clitics; CV, CVV; tonal

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Oral and written use in religious services, oral use in local commerce, administration, oral literature, songs. Letter writing. All ages. Positive attitudes. Some also use El Nayar Cora [crn] or Spanish [spa]. Spanish used in schools, clinics.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 5%–10%. Literacy rate in L2: 5%–15%. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1967–1988.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Huichol
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Go to Pacific coast for temporary labor in the spring. Make their own violins and guitars. Their music is unique. Traditional religion, Christian.