Introduction

 
The Xinka [xin] ethnic group of Guatemala has a population of 16,200, but no one speaks this language as their mother tongue. During the 1970s the last fluent speakers died. Some semi-speakers survived into the 2000s. The original homeland was in the Jutiapa and Santa Rosa departments.

The Xinka language is classified as a language isolate and has been termed as a reawakening. In 2003 it was decreed a recognized language by a Law of National Languages, Decree 19. Alternate names include: Ikomagi, Jinca, Shinkan, Shinkan Complex, Sinca, Szinca, and Xincan. The language may be related to Lenca [len]. Many in the region are learning Spanish.