Mixtec, Santa María Zacatepec

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A language of Mexico

ISO 639-3
mza
Alternate Names
Mixteco de Santa María Zacatepec, Southern Putla Mixtec, “Tacuate” (pej.), Tu’un Va’a, Zacatepec Mixtec
Population

2,570 (2005 census). Less than 20% monolingual.

Location

Oaxaca, south of Putla, Tapanco, Nejapa, Atotonilco, San Miguel, San Juan Viejo, Rancho de la Virgen, and Las Palmas towns.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Otomanguean, Eastern Otomanguean, Amuzgo-Mixtecan, Mixtecan, Mixtec
Dialects

64% intelligibility of Ixtayutla [vmj], 63% of Jicaltepec [mio] (Pinotepa Nacional Mixtec), 40%–50% of Metlatónoc [mxv], 25%–30% of Yoloxochitl [xty].

Language Use

Vigorous. Some Spanish-speaking merchants can understand Mixtec. All domains. Oral use in local administration, commerce. Some use in primary schools, churches. All ages. Negative attitudes but use continues. About 100 can also use some English [eng].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 30%. Poetry. Grammar. Bible portions: 1995–2008.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mixtec, Santa María Zacatepec
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

About 1,000 working in the United States. Called “Tacuates” by people in the area including Indians, which can be offensive depending on context and other signals. Christian.