Q’eqchi’

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A language of Guatemala

ISO 639-3
kek
Alternate Names
Cacche’, Kekchi’, Kekchí, Ketchi’, Quecchi’
Population

800,000 in Guatemala (2009 SIL), increasing. Population total all countries: 823,500.

Location

Northern Alta Verapaz, southern Petén departments. Also in Belize (Kekchí), El Salvador (Kekchí).

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational). Statutory language of national identity (2003, National Languages Act, Decree No. 19).

Classification
Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, K’ichean
Dialects

Alta Verapaz Cobán. Only slight dialect differences.

Typology

SVO; verbal affixation marks person and gender, passives and voice; 19 consonant and 15 vowel phonemes; nontonal

Language Use

All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 10%–30%. Literacy rate in L2: 22%. Taught in primary and secondary schools. Poetry. Radio programs. Films. TV. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1988–2001.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Q’eqchi’
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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