Mexico
Official Languages
There are 68 distinct indigenous Amerindian languages as national languages recognized by the Mexican government. In addition to all of those is Spanish. Spanish is the de facto language because it is spoken by the majority of Mexicans. Mexico is the world’s largest Spanish speaking community. There are more Spanish speakers in Mexico than there are in Spain. Other languages spoken include Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional indigenous languages. The most important of the indigenous languages is Nahuatl which is the primary language of around 1 million Mexicans. Right behind Nahuatl is Maya. This is spoken by about 14% of Native Americans. There are about 6 million people in Mexico who speak indigenous languages. This makes it the second largest group after Peru in the Americas. Some Mexicans that have immigrated to the United States and returned to Mexico are able to speak English and French at different levels. This being said, that makes English another language that is spoken a little throughout Mexico. Some of the non-indigenous languages spoken throughout Mexico include English, German, Arabic, Venetian, French, Chinese and Korean. Out of the people in Mexico who speak indigenous languages, 80% of them can also speak Spanish.
History
In the 16th century, the arrival of Spanish forces began the replacement of Mexico’s indigenous languages with Spanish. Both dialects of Castilian and Andalucían were brought over to America. The Castillian dialect was used in Mexico City, Mexico and there they kept in close contact with Madrid, Spain. After the Spanish conquest, many of the government leaders spoke Latin and in certain areas Latin was required to be taught in school. In 1696, Charles the second made a decree. This decree banned using any language other than Spanish throughout the Spanish Empire. In the 1917 constitution, the second article says that the country is multicultural. This also recognizes the rights of the indigenous peoples. They have the right to “preserve and enrich their languages” and this article also says they have a right to “bilingual and intercultural education.”
In the 16th century, the arrival of Spanish forces began the replacement of Mexico’s indigenous languages with Spanish. Both dialects of Castilian and Andalucían were brought over to America. The Castillian dialect was used in Mexico City, Mexico and there they kept in close contact with Madrid, Spain. After the Spanish conquest, many of the government leaders spoke Latin and in certain areas Latin was required to be taught in school. In 1696, Charles the second made a decree. This decree banned using any language other than Spanish throughout the Spanish Empire. In the 1917 constitution, the second article says that the country is multicultural. This also recognizes the rights of the indigenous peoples. They have the right to “preserve and enrich their languages” and this article also says they have a right to “bilingual and intercultural education.”
Interesting Facts
The General Law of Linguistic Rights of Indigenous Peoples makes is so that Mexico will recognize the indigenous languages as some of the national languages because of Mexico’s history. English is currently being taught to children in schools throughout Mexico. Spanish phonetics could affect names shown in the genealogical records. Due to this, ancestor’s names may vary depending on the records.
The General Law of Linguistic Rights of Indigenous Peoples makes is so that Mexico will recognize the indigenous languages as some of the national languages because of Mexico’s history. English is currently being taught to children in schools throughout Mexico. Spanish phonetics could affect names shown in the genealogical records. Due to this, ancestor’s names may vary depending on the records.
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