Zapotec, Xanaguía

Print

A language of Mexico

ISO 639-3
ztg
Alternate Names
Diidz Zë, Zapoteco de Santa Catarina Xanaguía
Population

2,500 (1990 census). 35% monolingual, mainly older women.

Location

Oaxaca, southeast Miahuatlán, Santa Catarina Xanaguía, San Francisco Ozolotepec, and San José Ozolotepec.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

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

A few phonological and lexical differences between San Francisco and San José areas.

Typology

VSO

Language Use

Vigorous. A few users of other languages have married into and speak it. Home, local administration, commerce, religion. All ages. Positive attitudes. 20% have some fluency in Spanish [spa]. San Francisco reportedly more monolingual than Santa Catarina, and San José the most bilingual. Some use other Zapotec varieties.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 10%. Bible portions: 1996.
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Many women over 40 and some men have no education. People leave the area for jobs. Christian, traditional religion.