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Languages of Guatemala

See language map.
[See also SIL publications on the languages of Guatemala.]

Republic of Guatemala, República de Guatemala. 12,710,000. Indian 55%, Mestizo 44% (1990 WA). National or official language: Spanish. Literacy rate: 48%–55%; Indian 0%–25%, Mestizo 75%–85%. Information mainly from M. Lewis 2001; M. Mayers 1966a, 1966b; SIL 1952–1999. Blind population: 6,000 (1982 WCE). Deaf population: 100,000 to 650,014 (1998). Deaf institutions: 5. The number of individual languages listed for Guatemala is 55. Of those, 53 are living languages and 2 have no known speakers.

Achi’, Cubulco	[acc] 48,300 (2000). Central area west of Rabinal, Baja Verapaz Department. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Quiche-Achi More information.
Achi’, Rabinal	[acr] 37,300 (1990 SIL). Central Rabinal area, Baja Verapaz Department. Alternate names: Rabinal K’iche’. Dialects: Most similar linguistically to Cubulco Achí [acc]. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Quiche-Achi More information.
Akateko	[knj] 48,500 in Guatemala (1998). Population total all countries: 58,600. San Miguel Acatán. Also in Mexico, United States. Alternate names: Acatec, Acateco, Conob, San Miguel Acatán Kanjobal, Western Kanjobal, Western Q’anjob’al. Classification: Mayan, Kanjobalan-Chujean, Kanjobalan, Kanjobal-Jacaltec More information.
Awakateko	[agu] 18,000 (1998 SIL). Western Huehuetenango Department. Alternate names: Aguacatec, Aguacateco. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Mamean, Ixilan More information.
Chicomuceltec	[cob] No known speakers. Ethnic population: 100 in Guatemala (1982 GR). Alternate names: Cakchiquel Mam. Classification: Mayan, Huastecan More information.
Ch’orti’	[caa] 30,000 in Guatemala (2000 J. Lubeck). Population total all countries: 30,010. Eastern border with Honduras. Also spoken in Honduras. Also in Honduras. Classification: Mayan, Cholan-Tzeltalan, Cholan, Chorti More information.
Chuj, Ixtatán	[cnm] 22,100 in Guatemala (1991 SIL). Population total all countries: 31,600. Western Huehuetenango Department. Also in Mexico. Alternate names: Chuh, Chuhe, Chuj de San Mateo Ixtatán, Chuje. Classification: Mayan, Kanjobalan-Chujean, Chujean More information.
Chuj, San Sebastián Coatán	[cac] 19,500 (1991 SIL). Central western Coatán River area, west Huehuetenango Department. Classification: Mayan, Kanjobalan-Chujean, Chujean More information.
Garifuna	[cab] 16,700 in Guatemala. 2 villages on the northeast coast: Livingston and Puerto Barrios. Alternate names: Black Carib, Caribe, Central American Carib, Garífuna. Classification: Arawakan, Maipuran, Northern Maipuran, Caribbean More information.
Guatemalan Sign Language	[gsm] Alternate names: Lensegua. Classification: Deaf sign language More information.
Itza’	[itz] 12 (1986 SIL). Ethnic population: 1,800 (2001). North central, north of Lake Petén Itzá in San José Petén, 15 minutes by auto from Flores. No remaining speakers in Belize. Alternate names: Icaiche Maya, Maya, Petén Itza’ Maya, Yucatec Maya. Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan, Mopan-Itza Nearly extinct. More information.
Ixil, Chajul	[ixj] 18,000 (1998 SIL). Municipality of Chajul, Quiché Department. Dialects: Ilom. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Mamean, Ixilan More information.
Ixil, Nebaj	[ixi] 35,000 (1991 SIL). Nebaj area, Quiché Department. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Mamean, Ixilan More information.
Ixil, San Juan Cotzal	[ixl] 16,000 (1998 SIL). Municipality of Cotzal, Quiché Department. Dialects: 70%–75% intelligibility among the 3 Ixil languages. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Mamean, Ixilan More information.
Jakalteko, Eastern	[jac] 11,000 (1998 SIL). Huehuetenango Department near Mexico border, Concepción Huista area. Alternate names: Eastern Jacalteco. Classification: Mayan, Kanjobalan-Chujean, Kanjobalan, Kanjobal-Jacaltec More information.
Jakalteko, Western	[jai] 77,700 in Guatemala (1998). Population total all countries: 88,000. Huehuetenango Department, around Jakaltenango. Also in Mexico. Alternate names: Popti’, Western Jacaltec, Western Jacalteco. Dialects: Eastern [jac] and Western Jakalteko understand each other’s spoken languages, but not written text. Classification: Mayan, Kanjobalan-Chujean, Kanjobalan, Kanjobal-Jacaltec More information.
Kaqchikel, Akatenango Southwestern	[ckk] 500 (1997 SIL). Municipality of Akatenango. Alternate names: Acatenango Southwestern Cakchiquel. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Cakchiquel More information.
Kaqchikel, Central	[cak] 132,000 (1990 SIL). Southern Guatemala, Chimaltenango Department. Alternate names: Cakchiquel, Kaqchiquel. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Cakchiquel More information.
Kaqchikel, Eastern	[cke] 100,000 (1998 SIL). Northwest of and near Guatemala City, San Juan Sacatepéquez. Alternate names: Eastern Cakchiquel. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Cakchiquel More information.
Kaqchikel, Northern	[ckc] 24,000 (2000 SIL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 40,000. Central highlands, northeastern Chimaltenango Department, San Martín Jilotepeque Municipality in rural areas and towns of San Martín and Santa Ana Chimaltenango. Alternate names: Northern Cakchiquel. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Cakchiquel More information.
Kaqchikel, Santa María de Jesús	[cki] 18,000 (2000 SIL), increasing. Southeast of Antigua, Sacatepéquez Department, Santa María de Jesus Municipality. Alternate names: Kach’ab’al, Santa María de Jesús Cakchiquel. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Cakchiquel More information.
Kaqchikel, Santo Domingo Xenacoj	[ckj] 5,200 (1991 SIL). West of Guatemala City on the Pan American highway. Alternate names: Santo Domingo Xenacoj Cakchiquel, Xenacoj. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Cakchiquel More information.
Kaqchikel, South Central	[ckd] 43,000 (1998 SIL). West of Guatemala City on Pan American Highway. Alternate names: South Central Cakchiquel. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Cakchiquel More information.
Kaqchikel, Southern	[ckf] 43,000 (1993 SIL). South of Antigua. Alternate names: Southern Cakchiquel. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Cakchiquel More information.
Kaqchikel, Western	[ckw] 77,000 (1998 SIL). North and east shores of Lake Atitlán, Sololá Department. Alternate names: Western Cakchiquel. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Cakchiquel More information.
Kaqchikel, Yepocapa Southwestern	[cbm] 8,000 (1991 SIL). Ethnic population: 15,000 (1991 SIL). Yepocapa Municipality. Alternate names: Yepocapa Southwestern Cakchiquel. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Cakchiquel More information.
Kaqchikel-K’iche’ Mixed Language	[ckz] 2,000 (1998 SIL). Santiago, Sacatepéquez, Santa María Cauque village. Alternate names: Cauque Mixed Language. Dialects: Came from the K’iche’ area in the colonial period. Older speakers show a base of K’iche’. Classification: Mixed language, Cakchiquel-Quiché More information.
K’iche’, Central	[quc] 1,900,000 (2000 SIL). Central highlands, Totonicapán, southern El Quiché, eastern Sololá, eastern Quezaltenango departments. Alternate names: Cachabel, Central Quiché, Chiquel, Quiché. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Quiche-Achi More information.
K’iche’, Cunén	[cun] 9,000 (2000 L. Marhenke). Ethnic population: 9,000 including 7,000 and growing in the municipio plus 2,000 in Guatemala City (1993 Marhenke). Quiché Department. Alternate names: Chuil Quiché, Cunén Quiché, Cunenteco K’iche’, Cunenteco Quiché, Northern Quiché. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Quiche-Achi More information.
K’iche’, Eastern	[quu] 100,000 (1991 SIL). Chichicastenango and Chiché Municipalities. Alternate names: Chichicastenango Eastern Quiché, East Central Quiché, Eastern Quiché. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Quiche-Achi More information.
K’iche’, Joyabaj	[quj] 54,300 (1991 SIL). Quiché Department, Joyabaj Municipality. Alternate names: Joyabaj Quiché. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Quiche-Achi More information.
K’iche’, San Andrés	[qxi] 19,700 (1991 SIL). Quiché Department, San Andrés Sajcabajá Municipality. Alternate names: San Andrés Sajcabajá Quiché. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Quiche-Achi More information.
K’iche’, West Central	[qut] 250,000 (1994 SIL). Southwest of Lake Atitlán, Quezaltenango, and Totonicapán departments. Alternate names: Cantel Quiché, Southwestern Quiché. Dialects: Coastal K’iche’, Western K’iche’. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Quiche-Achi More information.
Mam, Central	[mvc] 100,000 (1992 SIL). San Marcos Department (10 towns). Alternate names: Comitancillo Mam, Mam Marquense, Mam Occidental, San Marcos Comitancillas Mam, Western Mam. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 77% between Tajumulco Mam [mpf] and the Comitancillo dialect. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Mamean, Mamean More information.
Mam, Northern	[mam] 200,000 in Guatemala (2000). Population total all countries: 201,000. Western Huehuetenango Department (San Sebastián and other towns) and San Marcos Department; 17 towns. Dialects spoken in San Miguel Ixtahuacán (18,000) and Concepción Tutapa (30,000) towns. Also in Mexico. Alternate names: Huehuetenango Mam. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Mamean, Mamean More information.
Mam, Southern	[mms] 125,000 (1991 SIL). Quetzaltenango Department (9 towns); Retalhuleu Department (1 town); Western Ostuncalco area (San Juan Ostuncalco, San Martín Sacatepéquez, and other towns). Alternate names: Mam Quetzalteco, Ostuncalco Mam, Quetzaltenango Mam, San Juan Ostuncalco Mam. Dialects: San Martín Sacatepéquez Mam (San Martín Chile Verde Mam). Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Mamean, Mamean More information.
Mam, Tajumulco	[mpf] 35,000 (1992 SIL). San Marcos Department, Tajumulco and Ixchiguán towns. Dialects: Very different from Central Mam [mvc], although close geographically. Lexical similarity: 77% with the Comitancillo dialect of Central Mam [mvc]. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Mamean, Mamean More information.
Mam, Todos Santos Cuchumatán	[mvj] 50,000 in Guatemala (1998 SIL). Population total all countries: 60,000. Huehuetenango Department, town of Todos Santos Cuchumatán. Also in Mexico. Alternate names: Mam, Todos Santos. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Mamean, Mamean More information.
Maya, Mopán	[mop] 2,600 in Guatemala (1990 SIL). Petén Department. Alternate names: Maya Mopán, Mopane. Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan, Mopan-Itza More information.
Poqomam, Central	[poc] 8,600 in Guatemala (1990 SIL). 9 km northwest of Guatemala City, Chinautla. Also in El Salvador. Alternate names: Central Pocomam, Central Pokomam, Pocomán, Pokomam. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Pocom More information.
Poqomam, Eastern	[poa] 12,500 (1990 SIL). Eastern Guatemala, Jalapa Department, San Luis Jilotepeque. Alternate names: Eastern Pokomam, Pocomam Oriental. Dialects: Possibly 50% intelligibility with Central Poqomam [poc]. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Pocom More information.
Poqomam, Southern	[pou] 27,900 (1991 SIL). 20 kilometers south of Guatemala City. Alternate names: Palín Pocomam, Southern Pokomam. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Pocom More information.
Poqomchi’, Eastern	[poh] 42,200 (2000). Alta Verapaz Department. Alternate names: Eastern Pokomchí, Pocomchí, Poconchí, Pokonchí, Tactic Pokomchí. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Pocom More information.
Poqomchi’, Western	[pob] 50,000 (1998 SIL). Alta Verapaz Department, around San Cristobal. Alternate names: Pocomchí, Pokomchí, Poqomchi’, Western, Western Pocomchí. Dialects: Santa Cruz Verapaz Poqomchi’. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Pocom More information.
Q’anjob’al, Eastern	[kjb] 77,700 in Guatemala (1998). Huehuetenango Department, Santa Eulalia. Also in United States. Alternate names: Conob, Eastern Kanjobal, Kanhobal, Qanjobal, Santa Eulalia Kanjobal. Classification: Mayan, Kanjobalan-Chujean, Kanjobalan, Kanjobal-Jacaltec More information.
Q’eqchi’	[kek] 400,000 in Guatemala (1998 SIL). Population total all countries: 423,500. Northern Alta Verapaz, southern Petén departments in Guatemala. Also in Belize, El Salvador. Alternate names: Cacche’, Kekchí, Kekchi’, Ketchi’, Quecchi’. Dialects: Only slight dialect differences. Prestige dialect is Cobán, Alta Verapaz. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Kekchi More information.
Sakapulteko	[quv] 15,000 (2006 M. Schwartz). Quiché Department, Sacapulas municipality; some in Guatemala City. Alternate names: Sacapulas K’iche’, Sacapulteco. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Sacapulteco More information.
Sipakapense	[qum] 8,000 (2000 SIL), increasing. Ethnic population: 12,000 or more (2000 E. Kindberg). San Marcos Department. Alternate names: Sipacapa Quiché, Sipacapense, Sipacapeño. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Sipacapeno More information.
Spanish	[spa] 4,670,000 in Guatemala (1995). Alternate names: Castellano, Español. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian More information.
Tacanec	[mtz] 20,000 in Guatemala (1991 SIL). Population total all countries: 21,200. Western San Marcos Department; rural areas west of the town of Tacaná, western Guatemala border, and in Sibinal and Tectitán. Also in Mexico. Alternate names: Mamé, Tacaná Mam, Tiló, Western Mam. Dialects: The most distinctive of all the Mam varieties. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Mamean, Mamean More information.
Tektiteko	[ttc] 4,900 in Guatemala (2002). Population total all countries: 5,900. Area of Tectitán, Cuilco. Also in Mexico. Alternate names: Maya-Tekiteko, Teco, Tectitán Mam, Tectitec, Tectiteco, “Teko”. Dialects: Similar to Central Mam [mvc]. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Mamean, Mamean More information.
Tz’utujil, Eastern	[tzj] 50,000 (1998 SIL), increasing. 17,000 monolinguals. Southern shore of Lake Atitlán, Sololá Department. Alternate names: Santiago Atitlán Tzutujil, Tzutuhil, Tzutujil Oriental. Dialects: 99% of the people understand and speak Eastern Tz’utujil. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Tzutujil More information.
Tz’utujil, Western	[tzt] 33,800 (1990 SIL). Southern Sololá area, southwestern shore of Lake Atitlán. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Quichean, Tzutujil More information.
Uspanteko	[usp] 3,000 (1998 SIL). Quiché Department, San Miguel Uspantán. The center is Las Pacayas village. Alternate names: Uspanteco. Classification: Mayan, Quichean-Mamean, Greater Quichean, Uspantec More information.
Xinca	[xin] Extinct. Southeastern. Alternate names: Szinca. Dialects: Language may be related to Lenca [len]. Classification: Unclassified More information.

This web edition of the Ethnologue contains all the content of the print edition and may be cited as:
Lewis, M. Paul (ed.), 2009. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Sixteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com/.

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Languages of Guatemala