Achi

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A language of Guatemala

Autonym
Qach’a’teem
User Population

124,000 (2019 census). 5,000 monolinguals (2015 C. Barrera). Ethnic population: 161,000 (2019 census).

Location

Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, and El Progreso departments; Quiché department: Uspantan municipality.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19).

Dialects

Cubulco Achi, Maya Achi (Rabinal Achi).

Typology

SVO; 23 consonants, 5 vowels, 3 diphthongs.

Language Use

Some young people, all adults. Fewer children learning it as L1. Also use Spanish [spa]. Up to 20% can use it to discuss more than common topics.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 40%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75% in Spanish [spa]. Literacy rate for L2 in Cubulco Achi is 11%, in Rabinal Achi is 25%–40%; literacy rate for L1 in Cubulco Achi is 1%–5%, in Rabinal Achi is 15%–20%. Radio. TV. Videos. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 2019. Agency: Academy of Mayan Languages.

Writing

Latin script [Latn].