Mexico is one of the richest countries in the globe, and that richness comes from the diversity of its people, culture and cuisine, but also, its languages. Not only does Mexico have a long list of them, it has dialects as well, and each of those varies depending on the area where they are spoken; these are called linguistic variants.
In 2003, a new law defending the rights of indigenous tongues declared that, given their historic value, 69 languages (including Spanish) would be recognized as Mexico's official languages. Overall, the languages, dialects, and their variants add up to over 300 systems of communication used in Mexican territory. Don't worry, we won't review them all one by one, they are actually divided by families.
These families are the most inclusive categories there could be. Every language will be placed in one of the eleven families according to its structure and historic origins.
I. Algica.
II. Yuto-nahua.
III. Cochimi-yumana.
IV. Seri.
V. Oto-mangue.
VI. Maya.
VII. Totonaco-tepehua.
VIII. Tarasca.
IX. Mixe-zoque.
X. Chontal de Oaxaca.
XI. Huave.
These are just the starting point of our lexical diversity.
In the given case that two groups share nomenclature, geographic aspects will be added; such is the case of Chontal of Oaxaca and Chontal of Tabasco.
The 68 linguistic groups we have been talking about have been trying to remain loyal to their traditions, including the way they communicate. Even when Spanish was spread in the country after Spain conquered the territory, the process of evangelism didn't reach every corner in Mexico. The INALI (National Institute of Indigenous Tongues in Spanish) has been working hard to keep it like that. For example, it wasn't until recently that these groups were able to submit official government documentation in their mother tongue, when before they had to have everything translated.
The educational system has also been trying to be more inclusive, allowing students in local schools to use their traditional clothes, hairstyles, and receive education in their native language. Some schools provide Spanish as a second language in their after-school programs. The goal is to help them communicate with the people outside of their communities.
When visiting a historic site in the wonderful Mexican land, we have to remember that there's a huge chance Spanish is not the first language of the person in front of us either. They are also making an effort to communicate in the language used the most in the country but, as we have just learned, is not the only one officially recognized as national.
In its richness of diversity, Mexico is constantly fighting to remain in the middle ground between tradition and modernity. So far, it has been doing a good job of keeping an eye on the thin line and crossing it only when it's strictly necessary.
Want to learn a bit more about how Mexicans communicate on a daily basis? Check out our post on the most common Mexican Slang.
All images: Pixabay
References: https://www.inali.gob.mx/
These families are the most inclusive categories there could be. Every language will be placed in one of the eleven families according to its structure and historic origins.
I. Algica.
II. Yuto-nahua.
III. Cochimi-yumana.
IV. Seri.
V. Oto-mangue.
VI. Maya.
VII. Totonaco-tepehua.
VIII. Tarasca.
IX. Mixe-zoque.
X. Chontal de Oaxaca.
XI. Huave.
These are just the starting point of our lexical diversity.
So, What is Mexico's official language?
Within those 11 families, we can find 68 linguistic groups, which are, along with Spanish, recognized as the country's national languages. While the first categories place together all the dialects with similar grammatical makeup, to be part of a linguistic group, the languages have to be related to a specific group of indigenous people. For example, Maya is known as the linguistic group related to the Mayan. The Tepehua language comes from the indigenous people historically known with the same name.
In the given case that two groups share nomenclature, geographic aspects will be added; such is the case of Chontal of Oaxaca and Chontal of Tabasco.
The 68 linguistic groups we have been talking about have been trying to remain loyal to their traditions, including the way they communicate. Even when Spanish was spread in the country after Spain conquered the territory, the process of evangelism didn't reach every corner in Mexico. The INALI (National Institute of Indigenous Tongues in Spanish) has been working hard to keep it like that. For example, it wasn't until recently that these groups were able to submit official government documentation in their mother tongue, when before they had to have everything translated.
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The educational system has also been trying to be more inclusive, allowing students in local schools to use their traditional clothes, hairstyles, and receive education in their native language. Some schools provide Spanish as a second language in their after-school programs. The goal is to help them communicate with the people outside of their communities.
When visiting a historic site in the wonderful Mexican land, we have to remember that there's a huge chance Spanish is not the first language of the person in front of us either. They are also making an effort to communicate in the language used the most in the country but, as we have just learned, is not the only one officially recognized as national.
In its richness of diversity, Mexico is constantly fighting to remain in the middle ground between tradition and modernity. So far, it has been doing a good job of keeping an eye on the thin line and crossing it only when it's strictly necessary.
Want to learn a bit more about how Mexicans communicate on a daily basis? Check out our post on the most common Mexican Slang.
All images: Pixabay
References: https://www.inali.gob.mx/
