Guatemala

Languages

Achi acr

Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, and El Progreso departments; Quiché department: Uspantan municipality. Users: 124,000 (2019 census). 5,000 monolinguals (2015 C. Barrera). Ethnic population: 161,000 (2019 census). Status: 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Autonym: Qach’a’teem Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, K’ichean, Poqom-K’ichean, Core K’ichean

Akateko knj

Huehuetenango department: San Miguel Acatán area. Users: 55,300 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 66,000 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 58,190. Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Acatec, Acateco, Conob, Kanjobal, Q’anjob’al, San Miguel Acatán Kanjobal, Western Kanjobal, Western Q’anjob’al Autonym: K’anjob’al Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, Q’anjob’alan-Chujean, Q’anjob’alan, Q’anjob’al-Akateko-Jakalteko

Awakateko agu

Huehuetenango department. Users: 10,100 (2019 census). Ethnic population: 12,500 (2019 census). Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Aguacatec, Aguacateco Autonym: Qa’yol Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, Mamean, Awakateko-Ixil

Ch’orti’ caa

Chiquimula and Zacapa departments; eastern border with Honduras. Users: 16,700 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 112,000 (2019 census). Status: 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Chortiꞌ Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, Core Mayan, Cholan-Tzeltalan, Cholan, Chorti-Cholti

Chicomuceltec cob

Huehuetenango and Petén departments. Users: No known L1 speakers in Guatemala. The last speaker probably died in the 1930s (Campbell and Canger 1978). Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Cakchiquel Mam Classification: Mayan, Huastecan

Chuj cac

Huehuetenango department: central western Coatán river area. Users: 58,600 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 91,400 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 62,120. Status: 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Chuh, Chuhe, Chuj de San Mateo Ixtatán, Chuje Autonym: Koti’ Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, Q’anjob’alan-Chujean, Chujean

Garifuna cab

Izabal department: Livingston and Puerto Barrios villages; northeast coast. Users: 2,860 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 19,500 (2019 census). Status: 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Black Carib, Caribe, Central American Carib, Garífuna, Garínagu Classification: Maipurean, Northern, Maritime, Ta-Maipurean, Iñeri

Guatemalan Sign Language gsm

Scattered. Users: 50,000 (2021). Estimated 33,000–66,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.2%–0.4% of the total population. Another estimate: 28,000–256,000 signing deaf (Parks and Parks 2008). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2020, Decreto no. 3-2020), Recognized officially for use by deaf and deaf-blind for communication and education at all levels. Alternate Names: GSM, LENSEGUA, Lensegua Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language

Itza’ itz

Petén department: north of Lake Petén Itzá. Users: 410 (2019 census). Ethnic population: 2,930 (2019 census). Status: 8a (Moribund). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Icaiche Maya, Itz, Itzaj, Itzaj Maya, Itzá Maya, Maya, Petén Itza’ Maya Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, Yucatecan, Mopan-Itzá

Ixil ixl

Quiché department: Chajul, Cotzal, and Nebaj municipalities. Users: 115,000 (2019 census). Ethnic population: 133,000 (2019 census). Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Ixhil, Ixhil Mayan, Ixil Maya Autonym: Ixil Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, Mamean, Awakateko-Ixil

Jakalteko jac

Huehuetenango department: Concepción Huista and Jacaltenango areas, near Mexico border. Users: 32,600 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 54,200 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 33,080. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Jabxubal, Jabʼ xubʼal, Jakalteko-Popti’, Popti’ Autonym: Abxubal, Abꞌxubꞌal Poptiꞌ Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, Q’anjob’alan-Chujean, Q’anjob’alan, Q’anjob’al-Akateko-Jakalteko

K’iche’ quc

Quiché department: Chichicastenango, Chiché, Cunén, Joyabaj, Sacapulas, San Andrés Sajcabajá, Uspantán, Zacualpa municipalities; Quetzaltenango, Retalhuleu, Sololá, Suchitepéquez, and Totonicapán departments; some communities in Huehuetenango and Baja Verapaz departments. Users: 1,050,000 (2019 census). 300,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,680,000 (2019 census). Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Central K’iche’, Central Quiché, Chiquel, Quiché Autonym: Qach’abel Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, K’ichean, Poqom-K’ichean, Core K’ichean

Kaqchikel cak

Baja Verapaz department: Granados municipality; Chimaltenango department: all municipalities; Escuintla department: Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa municipality; Guatemala department: Amatitlán, Chuarrancho, San Juan Sacatepéquez, San Pedro Ayampu, San Pedro Sacatepéquez, San Raymundo, and Villa Nueva municipalities; Sacatepéquez department: Alotenango, Jocotenango, Magdalena Milpas Altas, Pastores, San Antonio Aguas Calientes, San Bartolomé Milpas Altas, San Lucas Sacatepéquez, San Miguel Dueñas, Santa Catarina Barahona, Santa Lucía Milpas Altas, Santa María de Jesús, Santiago Sacatepéquea, Santo Domingo Xenacoj, and Sumpango municipalities; Sololá department: Concepción, Panajachel, San Andrés Semetab’äj, San Antonio Palopo, San José Chacaya’, San Juan La Laguna, San Lucas Tolimán, San Marcos La Laguna, Santa Catarina Palopo, and Santa Cruz La Laguna, and Sololá municipalities; Suchitepéquez department: Patulul, San Antonio Suchitepéquez, San Juan Bautista, and Santa Bárbara municipalities. Users: 411,000 (2019 census). Ethnic population: 1,070,000 (2019 census). Status: 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Cakchiquel, Kaqchiquel, Maya Autonym: Kaqchikel Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, K’ichean, Poqom-K’ichean, Core K’ichean, Kaqchikel-Tz’utujil

Kaqchikel-K’iche’ Mixed Language ckz

Sacatepéquez department: Santa María Cauqué and Santiago. Users: 2,000 (1998 SIL). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Cauque Mixed Language Classification: Mixed language, Cakchiquel-Quiché

Mam mam

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). Users: 591,000 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 842,000 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 602,400. Status: 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: B’anax Mam, Kyol, Qyol, Qyool, Qyool Mam, toj qyol Autonym: Qyol Mam, Yol Mam Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, Mamean, Teco-Mam

Maya, Mopán mop

Petén department: Lake Peten Itza road area, one enclave between Dolores and Poptun, the other near San Luis. Users: 2,010 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 3,360 (2019 census). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Maya Mopán, Mopane Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, Yucatecan, Mopan-Itzá

Poqomam poc

Chiquimula department; Jalapa department: San Luis Jilotepeque; Guatemala department: 1 enclave northeast of Guatemala City, Chinautla; the other 20 km southwest, mostly in Escuintla department. Users: 10,800 (2019 census). Ethnic population: 46,500 (2019 census). Status: 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Pocomán, Pokomam Autonym: Qaq’oral Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, K’ichean, Poqom-K’ichean, Poqom, Poqomam

Poqomchi’ poh

Alta Verapaz department: San Cristobal Verapaz area; Baja Verapaz department: notheast of Salama; Quiché department: eastward from Uspantan. Users: 133,000 (2019 census). 40,000 monolinguals (2017 B. Ramirez). Ethnic population: 177,000 (2019 census). Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Pocomchí, Poconchí, Pokomchí, Pokon, Pokonchi’, Pokonchí, Tactic Pokomchí Autonym: Poqon, Poqonchi Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, K’ichean, Poqom-K’ichean, Poqom, Poqomchi’

Q’anjob’al kjb

Huehuetenango department: Santa Eulalia; Quiché department: near Soloma. Users: 166,000 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 208,000 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 176,900. Status: 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2013, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Conob, Eastern Kanjobal, Eastern Qanjobal, K’anjobal, Kanhobal, Kanjobal, Qanjobal, Santa Eulalia Kanjobal Autonym: Q’anjob’al Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, Q’anjob’alan-Chujean, Q’anjob’alan, Q’anjob’al-Akateko-Jakalteko

Q’eqchi’ kek

Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, and Quiché departments; Izabal department: north from the lake; Petén department: south of Flores. Users: 1,130,000 in Guatemala (2019 census), increasing. Ethnic population: 1,370,000 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 1,147,600. Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Cacche’, Kekchi’, Kekchí, Ketchi’, Kʼekchiʼ, Kʼeqchi’, Quecchi’ Autonym: Q’eqchi’ Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, K’ichean

Sakapulteko quv

Quiché department: Sacapulas municipality; some in Guatemala City. Users: 6,530 (2019 census). Ethnic population: 12,900 (2019 census). Status: 7 (Shifting). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Sacapulas K’iche’, Sacapulteco, qač’ab’a:l Autonym: Tujaal tziij Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, K’ichean, Poqom-K’ichean, Core K’ichean

Sipakapense qum

San Marcos department. Users: 4,160 (2019 census), increasing. Ethnic population: 17,400 (2019 census). Status: 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Sipacapa, Sipacapa Quiché, Sipacapense, Sipacapeño Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, K’ichean, Poqom-K’ichean, Core K’ichean

Spanish spa

Users: 15,840,000 in Guatemala, all users. L1 users: 12,100,000 in Guatemala (2018 World Factbook). L2 users: 3,740,000 (2018). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1985, Constitution, Article 143). Alternate Names: Castellano, Español Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian

Tektiteko ttc

Huehuetenango department: Tectitán area, Cuilco. Users: 3,010 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 3,320 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 3,088. Status: 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: K’onti’l, Maya-Tekiteko, Qyool, Teco, Tectitec, Tectiteco, Tectitán Mam, Tujqyol, “Teko” (pej.) Autonym: B’a’aj Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, Mamean, Teco-Mam

Tz’utujil tzj

Sololá department: Lake Atitlán, south and southwest shore; Suchitepéquez department: Chicacao area north. Users: 72,400 (2019 census), increasing. 17,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 106,000 (2019 census). Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Eastern Tzutujil, Santiago Atitlán Tzutujil, Tzutuhil, Tzutujil, Tzutujil Oriental Autonym: Tz’utujil Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, K’ichean, Poqom-K’ichean, Core K’ichean, Kaqchikel-Tz’utujil

Uspanteko usp

Quiché department: Chicamán municipio, Las Pacayas village is center; San Miguel Uspantán municipio area. Users: 5,130 (2019 census). Ethnic population: 7,490 (2003 census). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Uspanteco Autonym: Uspanteko Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, K’ichean

Xinca xin

Jutiapa and Santa Rosa departments. Users: No known L1 speakers, but emerging L2 speakers. Last fluent speakers probably died by the 1970s; some semi-speakers survived into the 2000s. Ethnic population: 16,200 (2003 census). Status: 9 (Reawakening). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19). Alternate Names: Ikomagi, Jinca, Shinkan, Shinkan Complex, Sinca, Szinca, Xincan, Xinka, “Popoloco” (pej.) Classification: Language isolate