Kaqchikel

Kaqchikel is a Mayan language of the Quichean subbranch, part of the larger Mayan language family. It is closely related to K’iche’ and Tz’utujil. The name refers to the Kaqchikel people who traditionally inhabit the central Guatemalan highlands. Today, it is spoken in Guatemala by communities in the central highlands, and by emigrant communities elsewhere, though Spanish is predominant in urban areas.

Geographic distribution and dialects: There are several dialects, usually grouped into Western and Eastern branches, with local varieties around Quetzaltenango, Sololá, Chimaltenango, and Sacatepéquez. Intergenerational transmission remains robust in many rural communities, but language use is often shifting toward Spanish among younger urban speakers.

Writing system: Kaqchikel uses a Latin-based alphabet. The orthography, standardized by the Academia de Lenguas Mayas de Guatemala (ALMG), encodes ejective consonants with an apostrophe, for example q’. Five vowel phonemes are present: a, e, i, o, u.

Linguistic features and status: Kaqchikel exhibits typical Mayan morphosyntax, including ergative–absolutive alignment and complex verbal morphology with person and aspect markers. Its use is supported by bilingual education programs, local media, and literature. Ongoing revitalization efforts seek to maintain intergenerational transmission and cultural heritage.