A dialectrometric approach to dialectal classification of Tseltal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24201/clecm.v12.347Keywords:
Tseltal, Mayan languages, Dialectology, Dialectometry, Language contactAbstract
This work contributes to our understanding of dialectal variation in Tsel-tal (Mayan) through an analysis of the extensive database compiled by the ALTO project (Linguistic Atlas of Occidental Tseltal, 2008-2024). Based on a discussion of previous works on this topic, points of agreement and controversies are highlighted, and a dialectometric study is developed to better justify the establishment of dialectal zones and resolve classification issues. At the same time, novel dialectal data are presented and contact effects with other Mayan languages are revealed, in particular in the southern zone, where Tseltal, Tsotsil and Tojol-Ab’al have come to share features within a linguistic area I propose to call the “Los Llanos corridor”. The complete synthesized data supporting these outcomes are attached in an appendix.
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