Page Type: languageK’iche’ | Ethnologue

QUC ISO 639-3

K’iche’

Qach’abel Autonym

A language of Guatemala

ISO 639
quc
Alternate Names
Central K’iche’, Central Quiché, Chiquel, Quiché
Autonym
Qach’abel
Population
1,050,000 (2019 census). 300,000 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,680,000 (2019 census).
Location:
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.
Language Status
4 (Educational). 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
Cunén Kiché, Joyabaj Kiché, West Central Kiché, Eastern Kiché, San Andrés Kiché.
Typology
VOS; ergativity; passives (active, passive, antipassive); aspect; 24 consonant and 10 vowel phonemes; non-tonal; stress on penultimate or final syllable.
Language Use
Vigorous. All domains, interpreters required in courts, some bilingual schools, oral use in religious services. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Many also use Spanish [spa]. Some also use Kaqchikel [cak]. A few also use Mam [mam]. A few also use Q’eqchi’ [kek]. A few also use Tz’utujil [tzj].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 5%–10%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–35%. 40,000 readers, 20,000 can write in K’iche’. Taught in primary schools. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1995. Agency: Academy of Mayan Languages.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about K’iche’
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Traditional religion, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: 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.