The principal language of the town is K'iche'. Although a growing portion of the township is bilingual in Spanish or castellano, potentially 30% of adults do not speak this national language of Guatemala. Inability to speak Spanish does not always mean that residents are “monolingual.” Many local residents, particularly those engaged in trade and those living in the far west and in the far south of the township also speak the closely related Kaqchikel and Tz'utijil languages. In addition, a sizeable proportion of the township communicates in an indigenous natural sign language, though many deny linguistic competence. Locals consider the local sign language to be a variety of a widespread (and apparently ancient) language complex that they call "Meemul Ch'aab'al" or "Meemul Tziij," literally "mute language(s)." The incidence of congenital or early-onset deafness within the township is very high. The incidence within the cabecera is over 10 times higher than the average worldwide incidence.