Page Type: languageMam | Ethnologue

MAM ISO 639-3

Mam

B’anax Mam, Qyool Mam Autonym

A language of Guatemala

ISO 639
mam
Alternate Names
Huehuetenango Mam, Kyol, Qyol, Qyol Mam, Qyool
Autonym
B’anax Mam, Qyool Mam
Population
591,000 in Guatemala (2019 census). Ethnic population: 842,000 (2019 census). Total users in all countries: 602,400.
Location:
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).
Language Status
5* (Developing). Recognized language (2003, Law of National Languages, Decree 19).
Classification
Mayan, Yucatecan-Core Mayan, K’ichean-Mamean, Mamean, Teco-Mam
Dialects
Southern Mam (Mam Quetzalteco, Ostuncalco Mam, Quetzaltenango Mam, San Juan Ostuncalco Mam), Tajumulco Mam, Tacanec (Mamé, Tacaná Mam, Tiló, Western Mam), Central Mam (Comitancillo Mam, Mam Marquense, Mam Occidental, San Marcos Comitancillo Mam, Western Mam), Todos Santos Cuchumatán Mam (Todos Santos Mam). Tacanec is the most distinctive of all the Mam varieties. Lexical similarity: 77% between Tajumulco and Comitancillo dialects.
Typology
VSO.
Language Use
Positive attitudes. Also use Spanish [spa]. Used as L2 by K’iche’ [quc].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 5%–37%. Standardized form of language taught in schools. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1993. Agency: Academy of Mayan Languages.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mam
Writing
Latin script [Latn].

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Mam
User Population
11,400 in Mexico (2020 INEGI).
Location
Chiapas state: Buenos Aires hills above Motozintla, Cacahuatán, Mazapa, Ojo de Agua near Guadalupe, outside Pacayal near La Mesilla border, and Tapachula.
Dialects
Tacanec (Mame, Tacana Mam, Tacaneco), Todos Santos Mam, Mam de la Frontera, Mam del Norte, Mam del Sur, Mam de la Sierra, Mam del Soconusco.
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
2 colonies of Northern Mam Indians from Guatemala. Most are native of either Cuilco or San Ildefonso Ixtahuacan; widespread seasonal migration to the Pacific coast for labor.
View other languages of Mexico

Map

Location: 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).