Valency-changing devices in Metzontla Popoloc

Abstract

"The subject of this paper is the valency-changing effect of derivational processes in Metzontla Popoloc. Popoloc is a member of the Popolocan family and is a typical representative of the Otomanguean stock. The Popolocan languages are spoken in the southern part of the State of Puebla, the northeastern part of the State of Oaxaca and in an adjacent fringe in the State of Veracruz. The Popolocan languages are Popoloc (± 11,000 speakers), Chocho (± 1,000 speakers), Ixcatec (no more than 8 speakers) and more distantly related Mazatec (± 100,000 speakers). Since all or nearly all inhabitants of the Popolocan villages speak Spanish, the influence of that language on the vernacular languages is considerable"