Nahuatl, Isthmus-Pajapan

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A language of Mexico

ISO 639-3
nhp
Alternate Names
Nahuatl del Istmo bajo, Náhuat de Pajapan, Náhuatl, Náhuatl del Istmo, Pajapan Nahuatl
User Population

6,800 (2000 INALI). Total Nahuatl speakers: 1,650,000 (2020 INEGI). 500 monolinguals.

Location

Veracruz state: Pajapan municipality on Gulf of Mexico, Jicacal, San Juan Volador, Santanón, and Sayultepec towns.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Uto-Aztecan, Southern Uto-Aztecan, Corachol-Aztecan, Core Nahua, Nahuatl
Dialects

None known. 83% intelligibility of Mecayapan (Isthmus Nahuatl) [nhx], 94% of Oteapan (Cosoleacaque) [nhk].

Language Use

Some young families use Nahuatl, others do not teach it to their children. All domains for older speakers. Some young people, all adults. Negative attitudes. Some also use Spanish [spa]. ; a few also speak a Popoluca language.

Language Development

Grammar. Bible portions: 1990–2009.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nahuatl, Isthmus-Pajapan
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

People leave the area for better jobs or trade.