Tarahumara, Central

TAR

threatened

Alternate Names: Alta Tarahumara, Ralámuli de la Tarahumara Alta, Samachique Tarahumara, Tarahumara de Cumbres, Tarahumara del Centro

Genealogy:

Uto-Aztecan
Southern Uto-Aztecan
Taracahitic
Tarahumaran
Tarahumara

Demographics: 30,000 (2000 INALI). 10,000 monolinguals.

Language Use: Parents pass the language on to children in rural areas. Some older Spanish [spa] speakers who live there speak Tarahumara for work or trade. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. 45,000 also use Spanish [spa].

Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 1%. Literacy rate in L2: 20%. 5,000 readers, 1,000 can write. Taught in primary schools. Radio programs. Dictionary. NT: 1972.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Mexico

Other Comments: Many migrated to Chihuahua city for jobs. Traditional religion, Christian.