Huichol

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A language of Mexico

ISO 639-3
hch
Alternate Names
Vixaritari Vaniuqui, Vizaritari Vaniuki
Autonym
Wixárika
User Population

60,300 (2020 INEGI).

Location

Nayarit and Jalisco states: Cohamiata, Guadalupe Ocotán, Nayarit, San Andrés San Sebastián, Santa Catarina, and Tuxpan de Bolaños; smaller areas, Durango, southernmost tip, and western Zacatecas.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Uto-Aztecan, Southern Uto-Aztecan, Corachol-Aztecan, Cora-Huichol
Dialects

San Andrés Cohamiata (Huichol del Oeste, Western Huichol), San Sebastián-Santa Catarina (Eastern Huichol, Huichol del Este), Coyultita, Huichol del Sur, Huichol del Norte. Lexical similarity: 58% with El Nayar Cora [crn] (most similar) (Miller 1984).

Typology

SOV; long words, prefixes, suffixes, clitics; CV, CVV; tonal.

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Oral and written use in religious services, oral use in local commerce, administration, oral literature, songs. Letter writing. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use El Nayar Cora [crn]. Also use Spanish [spa], in schools and clinics.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 5%–10%. Literacy rate in L2: 5%–15%. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 2020.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Huichol
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Go to Pacific coast for temporary labor in the spring. Make their own violins and guitars. Their music is unique. Traditional religion, Christian.