Q’eqchi’

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A language of Guatemala

ISO 639-3
kek
Alternate Names
Cacche’, Kekchi’, Kekchí, Ketchi’, Kʼekchiʼ, Quecchi’
Autonym
Q’eqchi’
User Population

1,130,000 in Guatemala (2019 census), increasing. Ethnic population: 1,370,000 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 1,147,600.

Location

Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, and Quiché departments; Izabal department: north from the lake; Petén department: south of Flores.

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
Dialects

Alta Verapaz Cobán. Only slight dialect differences.

Typology

VOS; negatives before verb; verbal affixation marks person and gender, passives and voice; 19 consonant and 15 vowel phonemes; nontonal.

Language Use

All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Spanish [spa]. Used as L2 by K’iche’ [quc], Poqomchi’ [poh].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 10%–30%. Literacy rate in L2: 22%. Literature. Radio. TV. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1988–2019. Agency: Academy of Mayan Languages.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Q’eqchi’
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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