Páez

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A language of Colombia

ISO 639-3
pbb
Population

40,000 (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 119,000 (Crevels 2007).

Location

Cauca Department, central Andes range near Popayán.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Paezan, Paezan
Dialects

Paniquita (Panikita), Pitayo.

Typology

SOV

Language Use

Many pass the language on, but some prefer to have children use only Spanish [spa]. Religious services, commerce. Most also use Spanish [spa], the predominant language of instruction in schools.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 10%–30%. Literacy rate in L2: 75% (2005 DANE). Some attempts, mainly literacy courses, have been made to promote the language. Some private primary schools teach reading and writing in Páez along with Spanish [spa]. Taught in secondary schools. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1980–2011.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Páez
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian.