Huasteco (Teenek)

Huasteco is a Mayan language with about 150,000 speakers in
Mexico, mainly in the states of San Luis Potosi, Veracruz and
Tamaulipas. Huasteco is also known as Huastec or Wastek, and the native
name is Teenek or Tének.

The three main varieties of Husteco are Northwestern
Huastec (Huasteco de San Luis Potosi), which is spoken in parts of
San Luis Potosi and northern Veracruz; Central Huastec
(Huasteco de Veracruz), and Southeastern Huastec
(Huasteco de San Francisco Chontla). Some linguists consider
these dialects of one language, while other classify them
as separate languages.

Huasteco pronunciation

There are a number of other spelling systems for Huasteco. In
some, for example, the /θ/ sound is written with a d or dh,
as in the text below.

Sample text

Patal an inik ani an uxum u wa’tsinal walkadh abal jununúl kin
bats’uw an alwa’taláb ani ka pidhan in éy jant’ini’ in
tomnál; in kwa’al in tsalpádh ani in k’ayá’ abal
kin k’anidha’ in juntal.

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They
are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another
in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

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