Totonac, Tecpatlán
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A language of Mexico
Alternate Names
Tachaqawaxti, Totonaca, Totonaco Central del Norte
Autonym
Tachiwiin, Tutunakuj
User Population
540 (2000 census). 110 monolinguals.
Location
Puebla state: Tecpatlán village, 2 communities northwest on Necaxa river tributary.
Language Maps
Language Status
6b (Threatened).
Dialects
None known. Most similar to Upper Necaxa Totonac [tku]. The 600-member community of Tecpatlán has 540 who identify themselves as local-language speakers. High levels of bilingualism in Nahuatl. Many may be primarily Nahuatl speakers. Northern Totonac [too] materials are reportedly difficult to understand.
Language Use
Moderate use. Not all parents pass it on to children. Local administration, commerce, religion. Some young people, all adults. Neutral attitudes. Most also use Spanish [spa], especially in schools. A few may also speak Nahuatl.
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 5%. Literacy rate in L2: 30%. NT: 1999.
Young people must leave to find jobs.