Ch’ol language

Spoken in

• Mayan languages Chol - Tzeltal, Tzotzil Chol languages

Chol or Ch'ol is an indigenous language in Mexico with more than 100,000 speakers. The Speaker of the Ch'ol call their own language as lak t'an ( our language ). This name has not been successful in linguistics. In summary, it refers to the speaker of the Chol often called Chols, even though they are composed of different peoples ( Palencanos, Pochutlas, Topiltepeques ).

Dissemination

The language is particularly common in Mexico, especially in the state of Chiapas.

The Chol language belongs to the Maya languages ​​. The most closely related languages ​​are Tzeltal, Tzotzil and. In addition, next to the Maya of the Yucatan Than the language of the Lacandon is closely related to the Chol.

Origin

Although little is known about using the Chol at the time of the colonization of America, so it is now believed that the Chol is derived directly from a form of the classic Maya.

Phonology

As in Mayathan and in the uvular plosive Lacandon obtained in the Quiché language, eg [q ] or [ q ' ] in the Chol to a velar [k ] or [k '] has become. He is, however - unlike the above two languages ​​- not with [k ] or [k '] collapsed because original [k ] to [ ʧ ] (" ch" ) is moved.

Dialects

The language is divided into two major dialects.

Tila Chol de

There are approximately 45,000 speakers, of which about 10,000 monolingual. The dialect is particularly common in the area around Tila, Vicente Guerrero, Chivalito and Limar.

Chol de Tumbalá

There are approximately 90,000 speakers, of which about 30,000 monolingual. The dialect is particularly common in the area around Tumbalá, Sabanilla, Misija, Limar, Chivalita and Vicente Guerrero.