Tarahumara, Central

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A language of Mexico

ISO 639-3
tar
Alternate Names
Alta Tarahumara, Ralámuli de la Tarahumara Alta, Samachique Tarahumara, Tarahumara de Cumbres, Tarahumara del Centro
Autonym
Ralámuli raicha
User Population

29,700 (2000 INALI). Total Tarahumara speakers: 91,600 (2020 INEGI). 10,000 monolinguals.

Location

Chihuahua state: Balleza north, Chinantu southeast, Cuautemoc southwest to Creel down Urique river, east up Sinforosa canyon.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Uto-Aztecan, Southern Uto-Aztecan, Taracahitic, Tarahumaran, Tarahumara
Language Use

Parents pass the language on to children in rural areas. Some older Spanish [spa] speakers who live there speak Tarahumara for work or trade. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. All also use Spanish [spa].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 20%. 5,000 readers, 1,000 can write. Radio. Dictionary. NT: 1972.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Tarahumara, Central
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Many migrated to Chihuahua city for jobs. Traditional religion, Christian.