Mixtec, Alacatlatzala
PrintPrimary tabs
A language of Mexico
30,000 (2011 SIL). 18,000 monolinguals.
Guerrero state: Alacatlatzala, Cahuatache, Cuautipa, Cuba Libre, Jilotepec, Ocuapa, and Potoichan, Quiahuitlatlatzala, San Isidro Labrador, Tenaztalcingo, Tepecocatlán, Tototepec, Xonacatlán, and Zacatipa towns; across western border, into Oaxaca state.
5 (Developing).
VSO; clitics; tonal.
Vigorous. Children of parents who have left the area understand Mixtec, but speak only Spanish [spa]. Very few other language speakers use this Mixtec language. Some use a Mixtec variety when communicating with Metlatónoc [mxv] and Xochapa [xta] speakers, though average comprehension is only around 70%, more for men, less for women. Less than 5% use a Tlapanec or Nahuatl variety due to intermarriage. Home, friends, religion, work. Used by all. Mixed attitudes. Pride in Mixtec growing slowly with interest in Mixtec literacy, but Spanish [spa] still often preferred for reading and writing.
Literacy rate in L1: 5%. Literacy rate in L2: 30%. Bilingual schools are increasing; sufficient materials are lacking and desire for literacy remains somewhat limited. Dialects are orally intelligible, but differences from town to town make it difficult to use the same written materials. Adaptation of materials needed for 3–4 subdialects. Literature. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1990–2010.
Latin script [Latn].
Not enough land to support everyone, so many leave to find jobs elsewhere. Traditional religion, Christian.