Sierra de Juárez Zapotec New Testament

Sierra de Juárez Zapotec New Testament (ZAATBL)

Overview

The Sierra de Juárez Zapotec New Testament, titled Ca Titsaʼ de Laʼlabani para Iyate ca Enneʼ, was published in 1970 by Wycliffe Bible Translators, making it one of the earliest New Testament translations in any Zapotec language. [1] The Zapotec languages comprise a family of over 50 distinct languages spoken primarily in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, by approximately 425,000 people in total. [2] Sierra de Juárez Zapotec is spoken in the Sierra Norte mountain region of Oaxaca, particularly in the districts of Ixtlán de Juárez and surrounding communities such as San Pablo Macuiltianguis. [2] The language is also known by alternate names including Ixtlán Zapotec, Macuiltianguis Zapotec, and Atepec Zapotec. [1] A later edition was published by Bible League International and is now available in digital and audio formats.

Language and People

Sierra de Juárez Zapotec (ISO 639-3: zaa) is spoken by approximately 4,000 people in Southern Central Mexico. [Glottolog: sier1250] The language belongs to the Zapotecan branch of the Oto-Manguean language family and features a three-level tonal system (low, mid, high) plus contour tones. [2] Colonial-era documents written in Sierra de Juárez Zapotec have been identified, indicating a long history of written use. [2] Like many Zapotec languages, it is considered endangered due to ongoing shift toward Spanish.

Publishing and Organizations

Created by Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc.. Published by Bible League International. Translation type: New.

References