Kaqchikel

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A language of Guatemala

ISO 639-3
cak
Alternate Names
Cakchiquel, Kaqchiquel, Maya
Autonym
Kaqchikel
Population

445,000 (2003 census). Ethnic population: 833,000 (2003 census).

Location

Chimaltenango department: Akatenango, San Martín Jilotepeque and Yepocapa municipalities; Santa Ana Chimaltenango and San Martín municipalities, San Juan Sacatepéquez municipality; Escuintla and Quiché departments; Sacatepéquez department; Sololá department: north and east shores of Lake Atitlán; Guatemala department.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19).

Classification
Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, K’ichean, Poqom-K’ichean, Core K’ichean, Kaqchikel-Tz’utujil
Dialects

Acatenango Southwestern Cakchiquel, Eastern Cakchiquel, Northern Cakchiquel, Santa María de Jesús Cakchiquel (Kach’ab’al), Santo Domingo Xenacoj Cakchiquel, South Central Cakchiquel, Southern Cakchiquel, Western Cakchiquel, Yepocapa Southwestern Cakchiquel.

Typology

SVO.

Language Use

Vigorous. Nearly all parents pass Kaqchikel on to children. Used by all. Also use Spanish [spa]. Used as L2 by K’iche’ [quc].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 5%–10%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–39%. Taught in primary and secondary schools. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 2003. Agency: Academy of Mayan Languages.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kaqchikel
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

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