Zapotec, Mitla

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A language of Mexico

ISO 639-3
zaw
Alternate Names
Didxsaj, East Central Tlacolula Zapotec, East Valley Zapotec
Population

19,500 (1983 SIL). Less than 1% monolingual. 4,500 in Matatlán (1983 SIL).

Location

Oaxaca, Mitla valley.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Otomanguean, Eastern Otomanguean, Popolocan-Zapotecan, Zapotecan, Zapotec
Dialects

Santiago Matatlán Zapotec (Matatlán Zapotec). 75% intelligibility of San Juan Guelavía [zab] (most similar).

Typology

SVO or VSO; short and long words, clitics and affixes; tonal

Language Use

Vigorous in some families. All domains among most adults. Oral use in local administration, commerce, some in media, in religious services. All ages. Positive attitudes. Shifting to Spanish [spa]. 10% use some English [eng].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 40%. Literacy rate in L2: 80%–90%. 10% can write it. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 2009.
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.