Languages of Mexico

The Constitution of Mexico does not name an official language, but Spanish is the main language spoken by over 90% of people in Mexico. This makes Mexico the largest Spanish speaking country in the world. Because of its close connection with the United States, many people in Mexico also understand American English, especially in areas near the border or where tourists visit. Sometimes, people mix Spanish and English, creating a special way of speaking called Spanglish.

Mexico respects its many indigenous languages, and the government recognizes 63 of them. Some of these languages include Nahuatl, Mayan, and Mixtec. Even though Spanish is used for official government work, these indigenous languages are still important to many communities. However, some of these languages are in danger of disappearing because fewer people are speaking them each year. According to groups like the Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples and the National Institute of Indigenous Languages, about 9% of Mexico’s population belongs to an indigenous group, but only around 5–6% actually speak an indigenous language.

Language history

See also: Academia Mexicana de la Lengua and Mexican Spanish

When Spanish missionaries first arrived in Mexico, they used Spanish, Latin, and local indigenous languages to teach people about their faith. Some church leaders studied these local languages to better communicate with native peoples. Over time, Spanish became more important.

In 1570, Philip II of Spain made Nahuatl an official language to help people communicate. But later, in 1696, the government said only Spanish could be used. As time went on, more rules pushed people to speak only Spanish, and many stopped learning the older languages.

After Mexico gained independence, the new government focused on teaching Spanish to help everyone feel connected as one nation. For many years, schools did not allow children to speak their native languages and sometimes punished them for doing so.

In 2002, Mexico changed its rules to better respect its many cultures. Laws were created to protect and support indigenous languages, although some say these laws are hard to enforce.

Indigenous languages

Spanish is the main language spoken by most people in Mexico, even though it is not officially named as the country's language in the rules. The country's rules say that the home languages of indigenous people should be kept and made better, and that people can learn in two languages.

In 2003, Mexico made a rule to say that the languages of indigenous people are also national languages. This means these languages are just as good as Spanish in their own places. People can talk to government workers in their own language and ask for papers in that language too. Mexico helps keep these languages alive through a special group for indigenous languages.

About six million people in Mexico speak indigenous languages, which is the second most in the Americas after Peru. The most spoken indigenous language is Nahuatl, and others with many speakers include Yucatec Maya, Tzeltal Maya, Tzotzil Maya, Mixtec, and Zapotec.

Language endangerment

Mexico recognizes sixty-two indigenous languages as important national languages, but many of these languages are in danger of disappearing. This is because fewer people are speaking them, and more people are using Spanish in all parts of life. Efforts are being made to help these languages survive, such as special projects with the Nahua people.

Main articles: Indigenous languages of the Americas and List of endangered languages in Mexico

The following is a classification of the 65 indigenous languages grouped by family:

Language families with members north of Mexico

• Algonquian languages: Kikapú
• Yuman–Cochimí languages: Paipai, Kiliwa, Cucapá, Cochimi and Kumiai
• Uto-Aztecan languages:
  • Tepiman branch: Pápago, Pima Bajo, Northern and Southern Tepehuán
  • Taracahita branch: Tarahumara, Guarijio language, Yaqui and Mayo
  • Corachol branch: Cora and Huichol
  • Nahuan branch: Nahuatl, Nahuan dialects
• Na-Dene languages: Lipan, Mescalero, Chiricahua, Western Apache

Language families with all known members in Mexico

• Totonacan languages:
  • Totonac (different varieties)
  • Tepehua (different varieties)
• Oto-Manguean languages:
  • Oto-pamean branch: Northern Pame, Southern Pame, Chichimeca Jonaz, Otomí, Mazahua, Matlatzinca and Ocuiltec.
  • Popolocan branch: Popoloca language, Chocho, Ixcatec language*, Mazatecan languages
  • Tlapanec–Subtiaban branch: Me'phaa
  • Amuzgoan branch: Amuzgo de Guerrero, Amuzgo de Oaxaca
  • Mixtecan branch: Mixtecan languages, Cuicatec and Trique language.
  • Zapotecan branch: Chatino languages, Zapotec languages.
  • Chinantec branch: Chinantec languages
  • Chiapaneca–Mangue branch: Chiapaneco*
• Mixe–Zoquean languages:
  • Zoque languages
  • Mixe languages
  • Popoluca (Texistepec Popoluca, Sierra Popoluca (Both Zoquean) and Sayula Popoluca Oluta Popoluca (Both Mixean))

Language family with members south of Mexico

• Mayan languages:
  • Huastecan branch: Wastek language,
  • Yucatecan branch: Yukatek Maya, Lacandón,
  • Cholan branch: Ch'ol language, Chontal Maya language, Tzeltal language, Tzotzil language,
  • Qanjobalan–Chujean branch: Chuj language, Tojolabal language, Q'anjob'al language, Jakaltek, Motozintlec, Akatek language
  • Quichean–Mamean branch: Mam language, Tektitek language, Ixil, Kʼicheʼ language, Kaqchikel and Q'eqchi'.

Language isolates:

• Seri
• Tequistlatecan languages: Lowland Chontal, Highland Chontal
• Purépecha
• Huave

In danger of extinction.