Chachi

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A language of Ecuador

ISO 639-3
cbi
Alternate Names
Cayapa, Cha’ Palaachi, Cha’palaachi, Chachilla, Kayapa
Autonym
Cha’Palaa
User Population

5,870 (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 9,390 (2012 UNSD).

Location

Esmeraldas province: Cayapas river and tributaries (Canandé, Cojimíes, Onzole, Sucio, and others), north coastal jungle.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Classification
Barbacoan, Southern
Typology

SOV; 23 consonants and 4 vowels.

Language Use

Elders and preschool-aged children are mostly monolingual (Crevels 2007). Also use Spanish [spa], but women, older adults, and those living in the isolated headwaters of the river are less bilingual in it.

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 2008.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Chachi
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.