Achi language
Achi is a Mayan language very closely related to Kʼicheʼ. It is spoken by the Achi people, primarily in the department of Baja Verapaz in Guatemala.
There are two Achi dialects. Rabinal Achi is spoken in the Rabinal area, and Cubulco Achi is spoken in the Cubulco area west of Rabinal.
One of the masterpieces of precolumbian literature is the Rabinal Achí, a theatrical play written in the Achi language.
Phonology
The tables present the consonant and vowel phonemes of Achi. On the left is the spelling in use.Consonants
- Voiceless plosives can have aspirated allophones, either when preceding a consonant or in word-final position.
- A uvular consonant can also be heard as velar in some environments.
- when preceding a velar consonant can be heard as a velar nasal.
- Sonorants when preceding a voiceless consonant or in word-final position can occur sounding voiceless.
Vowels