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2006-10-04 15:46:12 · 13 answers · asked by Chad3526894754958641234561273974 1 in Travel Latin America Guatemala

13 answers

Although the official language is Spanish, it is not universally spoken among the indigenous population, or is often spoken as a second language; 21 distinct Mayan languages are still spoken, especially in rural areas, and Garifuna is spoken by a small number of people on the Caribbean coast.

Quichean-Mamean branch

In the Highlands of Guatemala are the Quichéan-Mamean Maya languages and dialects, including K'iche', Kaqchikel, Q'eqchi', Tz'utujil, and Mam.

In the Guatemalan highlands the Mayan language with the largest population, K'iche' (earlier spelled Quiché), is spoken by more than two million speakers (Ethnologue 2004). The famous Maya mythological document the Popol Wuj is written in an antiquated K'iche' often called Classical Quiché. The K'iche' language is centered around the towns Chichicastenango and Quetzaltenango, and in the Cuchumatán Highlands. The K'iche' culture was at its pinnacle at the time of the Spanish conquest with its economic and ceremonial center at the Utatlán archeological site outside of Chichicastenango.

The language Tz'utujil is spoken by ca. 90,000 speakers in the vicinities of the Lake Atitlán. And Kaqchikel with more than 300,000) is spoken near Guatemala City as well as north of lake Atitlan.

The Uspantek language is native only in municipio Uspantán, in the department El Quiché, but it is notable for being the native language of Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú.

Achi is spoken in Cubulco and Rabinal, two municipios of Baja Verapaz. In some early classifications Achi is counted as K'iche' because of the close affiliation between those two languages. Linguist Raymond G. Gordon, Jr., considers the dialects spoken in Cubulco and Rabinal to be distinct languages, two of the eight languages of the Quiche-Achi family.[2].

Two other languages closely related to K'ich'e and Achi are the Sipakapense language is spoken in Sipacapa, San Marcos (department), and Sakapultek which is spoken by somewhat fewer than 40,000 people in El Quiché department and in Guatemala City.

The last Quichean language Q'eq'chi is spoken by some 400,000 speakers in the southern Petén and Alta Verapaz Departments of Guatemala as well as in Belize and El Salvador.

2006-10-08 14:21:52 · answer #1 · answered by Les 2 · 0 0

After the peace agreements signed in 1996, there are 21 official mayan languages recognized as transmitters of the Mayan culture and cosmovision. Plus the Xinca and Garifuna languages that are spoken by non-mayan people like other indians and caribbeans people from Guatemala's atlantic coast.
There is a bill recognizing the official use of indigenous languages in Guatemala, the bill number 19-2003 published on may 2003. The most important languages are Quiché, Mam, Kaqchiquel and Kekchi. The others are Poqoman, Ch'orti', Awacateko, Uspanteko, Mopan, Sipakapense, Sakapulteko, Achi, Akateko, Chuj, Itza', Ixil, Jalateko, Q'anjob'al, Tekiteko, Poqomchi y Tz'utijil.
English is also spoken by many people

2006-10-04 22:50:36 · answer #2 · answered by Jose 2 · 0 0

Guatemala Language

2016-09-29 12:54:17 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

República de Guatemala. 14,280,596. Indian 55%, Mestizo 44% (1990 WA). National or official language: Spanish. (ask.com)
and
Languages spoken
Approximately 22 Indian languages are widely spoken throughout the highlands, including Quiché, Cakchiquel, Mam and Kekchi. About 40 per cent of all Guatemalan children enter school with no knowledge of Spanish.

English is spoken in almost all tourist areas.

2006-10-04 15:50:48 · answer #4 · answered by brattybard 3 · 1 0

Guatemala is a land of many dialects and languages Quiche is probably the most spoken after Spanish.but there are other languages that are also well known.
The most important languages are Quiché, Mam, Kaqchiquel and Kekchi. The others are Poqoman, Ch'orti', Awacateko, Uspanteko, Mopan, Sipakapense, Sakapulteko, Achi, Akateko, Chuj, Itza', Ixil, Jalateko, Q'anjob'al, Tekiteko, Poqomchi y Tz'utijil.

2006-10-05 10:43:55 · answer #5 · answered by nigthslayer 3 · 1 0

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
what other language is spoken in Guatemala expect Spanish?

2015-08-07 23:43:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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There is a lot of immigration from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, etc, in California, Arizona, and especially Texas. I used to live in LA, and there are many cities where everything is Spanish, Spanish signs, Spanish language. People would always talk to me in Spanish because they don't expect white people to be in that area. So, for the south-west, yes Spanish is probably the second most common language, next to English of course.

2016-03-27 00:37:47 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

Interesting question!!! If America is the USA or if America is America, the New World as opposted to the Old World. Isn't South America America? LOL, it's like Polish people are not European and just German people are. LOL I'm kidding! But it's still a question........................

2016-03-22 13:40:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

There are 38 but they are dwindling. I encountered Quiche and Ixil, both indigenous languages.

2006-10-04 15:54:32 · answer #9 · answered by J G 4 · 0 0

um im not sure but there are alot because of all the mixes of people there. During the time when the conquistadors took over they brought over people from africa and other places. it makes south america soo different because everyone is a mix

2006-10-05 15:01:49 · answer #10 · answered by mickey_ds 2 · 0 0

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