Mam

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A language of Guatemala

ISO 639-3
mam
Alternate Names
Huehuetenango Mam, Kyol, Qyol, Qyol Mam, Qyool
Autonym
B’anax Mam, Qyool Mam
User Population

591,000 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 842,000 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 602,400.

Location

Huehuetenango department: San Sebastián and other towns; Quetzaltenango and Retalhuleu departments; San Marcos department: Ixchiguán, San Juan Ostuncalco, San Martín Sacatepéquez, Sibinal, Tectitán. Dialects in San Miguel Ixtahuacán (18,000) and Concepción Tutapa (30,000).

Language Maps
Language Status

5* (Developing). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19).

Classification
Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, Mamean, Teco-Mam
Dialects

Southern Mam (Mam Quetzalteco, Ostuncalco Mam, Quetzaltenango Mam, San Juan Ostuncalco Mam), Tajumulco Mam, Tacanec (Mamé, Tacaná Mam, Tiló, Western Mam), Central Mam (Comitancillo Mam, Mam Marquense, Mam Occidental, San Marcos Comitancillo Mam, Western Mam), Todos Santos Cuchumatán Mam (Todos Santos Mam). Tacanec is the most distinctive of all the Mam varieties. Lexical similarity: 77% between Tajumulco and Comitancillo dialects.

Typology

VSO.

Language Use

Positive attitudes. Also use Spanish [spa]. Used as L2 by K’iche’ [quc].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 5%–37%. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1993. Agency: Academy of Mayan Languages.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mam
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Also spoken in:

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