Xinca Language - Classification

Classification

There at least four Xincan languages, all of which are either moribund or extinct (Campbell 1997:166). Yupiltepeque was spoken in Jutiapa Department, while the rest are spoken in Santa Rosa Department. Campbell also claims that the Alagüilac language of San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán may have in fact been a Xincan language.

• Yupiltepeque: extinct before 1920. Once also spoken in Jutiapa.
• Jumaytepeque: discovered in the early 1970s by Lyle Campbell. It is spoken near the top of Volcán Jumaytepeque, and is morbund, or perhaps extinct. This is the most divergent variety, and is not mutually intelligible with that of Chiquimulilla.
• Chiquimulilla: moribund, perhaps extinct.
• Guazacapán: moribund.

However, Sachse (2010) considers all Xincan speakers today to be semi-speakers, with the completely fluent speakers having already died.