Chinantec, Lealao

CLE

developing

Alternate Names: Chinanteco de San Juan Lealao

Dialects: None known. Considered most divergent Chinantec language.

Genealogy:

Otomanguean
Western Otomanguean
Oto-Pame-Chinantecan
Chinantecan

Demographics: 2,000 (1990 census). 500 monolinguals.

Language Use: Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Negative attitudes. Consider it inferior to Spanish [spa], but continue to use it.

Language Development: 150 readers, 25 can write. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1980–2008.

Typology: VOS; short words, affixes; tonal.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Mexico

Other Comments: Christian, traditional religion.