Totonac, Tecpatlán

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A language of Mexico

ISO 639-3
tcw
Population

540 (2000 census). 20%–30% monolingual.

Location

Northeast Puebla, Tecpatlán village, 2 communities northwest on Necaxa river tributary.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Totonacan, Totonac
Dialects

Most similar to Upper Necaxa Totonac [tku]. The 600-member community of Tecpatlán has 540 who identify themselves as local-language speakers. High levels of bilingualism in Nahuatl. Many may be primarily Nahuatl speakers. Northern Totonac [too] materials are difficult to understand.

Language Use

Moderate use. Not all parents pass it on to children. Local administration, commerce, religion. Mainly adults. Neutral attitudes. 70%–80% use Spanish [spa] as L2. A few may also speak Nahuatl. Spanish used in schools.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 5%. Literacy rate in L2: 30%. NT: 1999.
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Young people must leave to find jobs.