Spanish is spoken in Mexico due to the Spanish conquest and colonization that began in the 16th century. The process that led to the Spanish Crown conquering the Indigenous peoples and imposing the Spanish language broadly consisted of the following:
- Arrival of the Spaniards: When the Spaniards arrived in Mexico in the 16th century, they brought their language, Spanish.
- Imposition of the language: Through conquest and colonization, Spanish was imposed as the dominant language in the region, displacing the indigenous languages that were spoken before their arrival, although many survive to this day.
- Evangelization: The Catholic Church played an important role in the spread of Spanish, as it used it for the evangelization of the indigenous population.
- Colonial Administration: Spanish became the language of colonial administration, commerce, and education.
How different is Mexican Spanish from other Spanish-speaking countries?
The Spanish spoken in Mexico has its own characteristics and regional variations, which distinguish it from the Spanish spoken in other parts of the world. These differences are mainly manifested in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
Pronunciation of Mexican Spanish
- Intonation: Mexican Spanish has a characteristic intonation, with a particular rhythm and melody that distinguishes it from other accents.
- Seseo: In Mexico, as in most of Latin America, there is no distinction between the sound of “c” (before “i” and “e”) and “z”, both are pronounced as “s”.
- Yeísmo: The “ll” is pronounced as “y”, as in most Spanish-speaking countries.
Vocabulary of Mexican Spanish
- Indigenous influence: Mexican Spanish has incorporated many words of indigenous origin, especially from Nahuatl. For example: “chocolate”, “jitomate” (tomato), “aguacate” (avocado).
- Regionalisms: There are words and expressions that are specific to certain regions of Mexico. For example, in the north “chafa” is used to say “bad”, while in the south “gacho” is used.
- Idioms: Mexican Spanish has a large number of idioms and colloquial expressions that give it a particular flavor. For example: “echarle ganas” (to give it your all), “ni modo” (no way/oh well), “a poco” (really?).
Grammar of Mexican Spanish
- Use of “ustedes”: In Mexico, “ustedes” is used for both formal and informal address, unlike in Spain, where “vosotros” is used for informal address.
- Diminutives: The use of diminutives is very common in Mexico, and they are used to express affection, closeness, or to soften an expression.
- Slang: Mexican Spanish has a rich and varied slang, especially among young people.
Comparison with other countries
- Spain: The Spanish of Spain differs from Mexican in pronunciation (distinction between “c/z” and “s”), the use of “vosotros” and some expressions.
- Caribbean: Caribbean Spanish is characterized by its fast rhythm, the aspiration of the “s” at the end of a syllable, and the use of its own vocabulary.
- South America: In South America, there are different accents and variants of Spanish, such as Argentine, Chilean, or Colombian, each with its own particularities.
How different is the Spanish of Mexicans depending on where they live in Mexico?
Due to the large size of Mexico, it is not surprising that there are differences between the way its inhabitants speak. These differences, known as dialects, are manifested in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
North:
- Pronunciation: Tendency to weaken vowels at the end of words and to close the vowels “e” and “o” (they are pronounced more like “i” and “u”).
- Vocabulary: Influence of English, due to the proximity to the United States. Use of words like “troca” (truck), “lonche” (lunch), and “parquear” (to park).
- Examples: In Sonora, “ora” is said instead of “ahora” (now). In Chihuahua, “apá” is used as an interjection.
Center:
- Pronunciation: Considered the most “neutral” variant of Mexican Spanish, with a soft and clear intonation.
- Vocabulary: Use of idioms such as “echarle ganas”, “ni modo” and “a poco”.
- Examples: In Mexico City, “chido” is used to say “good” or “great”.
South:
- Pronunciation: There may be influence from indigenous languages, such as Mayan and Zapotec, in the intonation and pronunciation of some words.
- Vocabulary: Use of words of indigenous origin, such as “guajolote” (turkey) and “chapulín” (grasshopper).
- Examples: In Yucatan, “chévere” is used to say “good” or “nice”. In Oaxaca, “istmeño” is used to refer to people from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.
Coasts:
- Pronunciation: On the coasts, there may be a tendency to aspirate the “s” at the end of a syllable, similar to Caribbean Spanish.
- Vocabulary: Use of words related to the sea and fishing.
- Examples: In Veracruz, “jarocho” is used to refer to people from the region. In Guerrero, “chilango” is used to refer to people from Mexico City.
Other aspects:
- Socioeconomic level: Socioeconomic level also influences the way of speaking. People with higher education levels tend to use more formal language.
- Age: Young people tend to use more informal language and more idioms than older people.
Indigenous Languages in Mexico
What happened to indigenous languages in Mexico during colonization?
During the Spanish colonization of Mexico, indigenous languages underwent a process of displacement and marginalization. Although initially there was a period of some tolerance and even strategic use of some languages, such as Nahuatl, the language policy of the Spanish Crown promoted Spanish as the dominant language.
Here are some of the effects of colonization on indigenous languages:
- Displacement: Spanish was imposed in administration, education, and public life, relegating indigenous languages to the domestic and community sphere.
- Loss of prestige: Indigenous languages were considered inferior and associated with a lack of “civilization,” which led many indigenous people to abandon their mother tongues.
- Prohibition: In some cases, the use of indigenous languages in schools and public spaces was prohibited, which accelerated their decline.
- Reduction in the number of speakers: Discrimination, migration, and lack of intergenerational transmission contributed to the decline in the number of speakers of indigenous languages.
However, despite colonization policies, indigenous languages in Mexico have managed to survive to this day. This is due to the resistance and persistence of indigenous communities that have kept their languages and cultures alive throughout the centuries.
What indigenous languages are spoken in Mexico?
A wide variety of indigenous languages are spoken in Mexico. The National Institute of Indigenous Languages (INALI) recognizes 68 linguistic groups that are distributed in 364 linguistic variants. This makes Mexico a country with great cultural and linguistic richness!
Some of the most widely spoken indigenous languages in Mexico are:
- Nahuatl: With more than a million and a half speakers, it is the indigenous language with the largest number of speakers in the country.
- Maya: Spoken mainly in the Yucatan Peninsula, it has more than 800,000 speakers.
- Tseltal: It is spoken in Chiapas and has more than 500,000 speakers.
- Tsotsil: It is also spoken in Chiapas and has more than 400,000 speakers.
- Mixteco: With more than 500,000 speakers, it is spoken in Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Puebla.
- Zapoteco: Spoken in Oaxaca, it has more than 400,000 speakers.
- Otomí: It is spoken in several states in the center of the country and has more than 300,000 speakers.
Are indigenous languages in Mexico recognized as official?
Yes, all these languages are recognized as national languages!
The General Law of Linguistic Rights of Indigenous Peoples recognizes that Mexico is a multilingual nation and establishes that indigenous languages have the same validity as Spanish throughout the national territory. This means that speakers of indigenous languages have the right to:
- Use their language in any area: In education, justice, health, and public administration.
- Receive education in their mother tongue: And to promote interculturalism.
- Access information in their language: Including media and public services.
- Preserve and develop their language: Through language revitalization programs.
Despite this legal recognition, indigenous languages in Mexico still face challenges such as discrimination, lack of resources for their promotion, and loss of speakers. It is important that public policies be implemented that guarantee the full exercise of the linguistic rights of indigenous peoples and that the cultural richness they represent is valued.