Zoquean

Zoquean refers to the Zoquean branch of the Mixtecan group within the Oto-Manguean language family. The term covers several related languages and varieties spoken by the Zoque people of southeastern Mexico, principally in the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, with smaller communities in neighboring regions. Zoquean languages are distinct from other Mixtecan languages but share historical and genealogical ties within the broader Oto-Manguean family. Mutual intelligibility among Zoquean varieties varies, and many communities also use Spanish as a lingua franca.

Classification and study: Zoquean is recognized as a subgroup within Mixtecan, though internal subgrouping has varied among scholars. Comparative research relies on lexicon, morphology, and phonology to establish relationships among the languages and their dialects. Most Zoquean varieties are traditionally oral, and writing systems have been developed for several through Latin-based orthographies.

Endangerment and revitalization: Many Zoquean languages are endangered or have small speaker bases. Language vitality differs by community; some continue intergenerational transmission while others experience language shift to Spanish. There are ongoing documentation efforts and linguistic descriptions, along with educational materials and community-driven initiatives supported by universities, government programs, and local organizations.

Name and usage: The name "Zoquean" derives from the Zoque people and is used in linguistic contexts to refer to this group of related languages. In everyday usage, "Zoque" can denote the ethnic group or the language varieties themselves, depending on context.