Achi | Ethnologue

A language of Guatemala

ISO 639: acr
Autonym: Qach’a’teem
Population: 124,000 (2019 census). 5,000 monolinguals (2015 C. Barrera). Ethnic population: 161,000 (2019 census).
Location:: Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, and El Progreso departments; Quiché department: Uspantan municipality.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19).
Classification: Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, K’ichean, Poqom-K’ichean, Core K’ichean
Dialects: Cubulco Achi, Maya Achi (Rabinal Achi).
Typology: SVO; 23 consonants, 5 vowels, 3 diphthongs.
Language Use: Some young people, all adults. Fewer children learning it as L1. Also use Spanish [spa]. Up to 20% can use it to discuss more than common topics.
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 40%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75% in Spanish [spa]. Literacy rate for L2 in Cubulco Achi is 11%, in Rabinal Achi is 25%–40%; literacy rate for L1 in Cubulco Achi is 1%–5%, in Rabinal Achi is 15%–20%. Taught in primary schools. Radio. TV. Videos. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 2019. Agency: Academy of Mayan Languages.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Achi
Writing: Latin script [Latn].

Location: Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, and El Progreso departments; Quiché department: Uspantan municipality.