Chʼol language

Chʼol
Lakty'añ
Native toMexico
RegionNorth Central Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche
EthnicityCh'ol people
Native speakers
250,000 (2020 census)
Mayan
  • Cholan–Tzeltalan
Early form
Dialects
  • Tila
  • Tumbalá
Latin
Language codes
ISO 639-3ctu
Glottologchol1282
ELPChol

The Ch'ol (Chol) language is a member of the western branch of the Mayan language family used by the Ch'ol people in the states of Chiapas, Tabasco, and Campeche in Mexico. This language, together with Chontal, Ch'orti', and Ch'olti', constitute the Cholan language group.

The Cholan branch of the Mayan languages is considered to be particularly conservative and Ch'ol along with its two closest relatives the Ch'orti' language of Guatemala and Honduras, and the Chontal Maya language of Tabasco are believed to be the modern languages that best reflect their relationship with the Classic Maya language.

Ch'ol-language programming is carried by the CDI's radio station XEXPUJ-AM, broadcasting from Xpujil, Campeche.