Tarahumara, Central

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A language of Mexico

ISO 639-3
tar
Alternate Names
Alta Tarahumara, Ralámuli de la Tarahumara Alta, Samachique Tarahumara, Tarahumara de Cumbres, Tarahumara del Centro
Population

30,000 (2000 INALI). 10,000 monolinguals.

Location

Southwest Chihuahua, from Cuautemoc, southwest to Creel down Urique river, east up Sinforosa canyon, southeast to Chinantu, north to Balleza.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Uto-Aztecan, Southern Uto-Aztecan, Taracahitic, Tarahumaran, Tarahumara
Language Use

Parents pass the language on to children in rural areas. Some older Spanish [spa] speakers who live there speak Tarahumara for work or trade. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. 45,000 also use some Spanish [spa].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 20%. 5,000 readers, 1,000 can write. Taught in primary schools. Radio programs. Dictionary. NT: 1972.
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Many migrated to Chihuahua city for jobs. Traditional religion, Christian.