Tektiteko

A language of Guatemala

K’onti’l, Maya-Tekiteko, Qyool, Teco, Tectitec, Tectiteco, Tectitán Mam, Tujqyol, “Teko” (pej.)

Autonym

B’a’aj

User Population

3,010 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 3,320 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 3,088.

Location

Huehuetenango department: Tectitán area, Cuilco.

Language Maps

Guatemala

Eastern Central Mexico

Language Status

6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19).

Classification

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

Dialects

None known. Reportedly similar to Mam [mam].

Typology

VSO; no adpositions; noun head initial; 3 noun classes (inherently possessed, never possessed, optionally possessed), content q-word initial; up to 2 prefixes, 2 suffixes; clause constituents indicated by word order; verbal affixation marks person and number; ergativity; tense and aspect; passives and voice; nontonal; 26 consonant and 10 vowel phonemes.

Language Use

In Tectitán municipality, language use increasing. Vitality stronger than 20 years ago (2000). Some young people, all adults. In the largest villages, commonly used by children. In some areas, parents desire their children to speak only Spanish [spa]. Neutral attitudes. Also use Spanish [spa].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 10%–20%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–20%. Some bilingual education in elementary schools. Literature. Radio. Grammar. Texts. NT: 2003. Agency: Academy of Mayan Languages.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Tektiteko

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian.