Chinantec, Sochiapam

A language of Mexico

ISO 639: cso
Alternate Names: Chinanteco del Oeste, Sochiapan Chinantec
Autonym: Jaú jm_, Jmiih kia’ dzä jii’
Population: 3,590 (2000 INALI). Total Chinantec speakers: 144,000 (2020 INEGI). 730 monolinguals (1990 census). Ethnic population: 6,300.
Location:: Oaxaca state: Cuicatlán, Retumbadero, San Juan Zapotitlán, San Juan Zautla, San Pedro Sochiapan and Santiago Quetzalapa.
Language Status: 5 (Developing).
Classification: Otomanguean, Western Otomanguean, Oto-Pame-Chinantecan, Chinantecan
Dialects: None known. 66% intelligibility of Tlacoatzintepec [ctl] (most similar), 56% of Chiltepec [csa], 45% of Usila [cuc], 11% of Tepetotutla [cnt].
Typology: VSO; short words, affixes, clitics; tonal.
Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. A few also use English [eng].
Language Development: 20% can read, 10% can write–all in San Pedro Sochiapam. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 1986.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Chinantec, Sochiapam
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Self-name is tsá2 há2lí13–people (where) wild flowers (grow). Transients go to Mexico City to work as maids, gardeners, or laborers, but the majority return and settle down in the villages. Christian, traditional religion.

Location: Oaxaca state: Cuicatlán, Retumbadero, San Juan Zapotitlán, San Juan Zautla, San Pedro Sochiapan and Santiago Quetzalapa.