<div dir="ltr"><div><div>All,<br><br></div>There was an article iin the NYTimes yesterday about residents of Oaxaca Mexico play a kind of game that helps preserve their language(s). I couldn't access<br></div>it today but here's the result of a search I did today:<br><br>
<h1 id="gmail-firstHeading" class="gmail-firstHeading" lang="en">Oaxaca Language and Languages</h1>
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</div><p><i><a href="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Oaxaca" title="Oaxaca" class="gmail-mw-redirect">Oaxaca</a> <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/File:Gotoarrow.png" class="gmail-image"><img alt="Gotoarrow.png" src="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/b/b1/Gotoarrow.png" width="24" height="8"></a> <strong class="gmail-selflink">Language and Languages</strong></i>
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<h2><span class="gmail-mw-headline" id="gmail-Indigenous_Languages_of_Oaxaca">Indigenous Languages of Oaxaca</span></h2>
<p>With one million indigenous speakers, or 35 percen,t of the
population speaking an indigenous language, Oaxaca is Mexico's "most
indigenous state."<sup id="gmail-cite_ref-1" class="gmail-reference"><a href="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Oaxaca_Language_and_Languages#cite_note-1">[1]</a></sup> How
is Oaxaca the home to so many groups of native people? Because of its
topography, explains Mexico expert John P. Schmal. In Oaxaca there are
many valleys, isolated from other people by imposing mountains. Because
of that isolation, groups who once spoke the same language are
separated; their languages evolve and adapt until they are no longer
recognizable as the same tongue.<sup id="gmail-cite_ref-2" class="gmail-reference"><a href="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Oaxaca_Language_and_Languages#cite_note-2">[2]</a></sup>
</p><p>The many and varied indigenous languages spoken in Oaxaca include:<br>
</p>
<ul><li>Mixtec. Seven percent of Mexico's indigenous speakers speak one
of 57 Mixtec languages. Mixtecs have migrated to every state in Mexico,
but they are indigenous to Oaxaca (where 57 percent reside) and Guerrero
(where 26 percent reside). Mixtec is part of the Oto-Manguean language
group.<sup id="gmail-cite_ref-3" class="gmail-reference"><a href="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Oaxaca_Language_and_Languages#cite_note-3">[3]</a></sup> </li>
<li>Zapotec. 6.84% of speakers of indigenous languages speak one of 64
Zapotec languages. Like Mixtecs, Zapotecs can be found in all parts of
Mexico. However, the vast majority--over 86 percent--live in Oaxaca.
Zapotec is part of the Oto-Manguean language group.<sup id="gmail-cite_ref-4" class="gmail-reference"><a href="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Oaxaca_Language_and_Languages#cite_note-4">[4]</a></sup> </li>
<li>Mazateco. Mazateco speakers account for about three percent of
Mexico's indigenous speakers. About eighty percent of Mazateco speakers
live in Oaxaca, with significant numbers also living in Puebla,
Veracruz, and the State of Mexico. Like Mixtec and Zapotec, Mazateco is
part of the Oto-Manguean language group.<sup id="gmail-cite_ref-5" class="gmail-reference"><a href="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Oaxaca_Language_and_Languages#cite_note-5">[5]</a></sup> </li>
<li>Chinanteca. Chinanteca is also an Oto-Manguean language, and like
Mixtec and Zapotec, its speakers are found in every part of Mexico. But
the vast majority (about 82 percent) of Chinanteca speakers live in
Oaxaca. Chinanteca speakers account for two percent of indigenous
speakers in all of Mexico.<sup id="gmail-cite_ref-6" class="gmail-reference"><a href="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Oaxaca_Language_and_Languages#cite_note-6">[6]</a></sup> </li>
<li>Mixe. The Mixe is an isolated language native spoken by about 115,000 Mexicans; Mixe speakers live in Oaxaca and Chiapas.<sup id="gmail-cite_ref-7" class="gmail-reference"><a href="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Oaxaca_Language_and_Languages#cite_note-7">[7]</a></sup> </li>
<li>Zoque. Zoque speakers are an even smaller minority group, within
barely 50,000 speakers. They are closely related to Mixe speakers; the
majority of Zoque live in Chiapas, with a smaller number living in
Oaxaca.<sup id="gmail-cite_ref-8" class="gmail-reference"><a href="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Oaxaca_Language_and_Languages#cite_note-8">[8]</a></sup> </li>
<li>Amuzgo. Speakers of Amuzgo, also an Oto-Manguean language, live primarily in Guerrero, and about 11 percent live in Oaxaca.<sup id="gmail-cite_ref-9" class="gmail-reference"><a href="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Oaxaca_Language_and_Languages#cite_note-9">[9]</a></sup><br></li></ul>
<h2><span class="gmail-mw-headline" id="gmail-Indigenous_Languages_of_Mexico">Indigenous Languages of Mexico</span></h2>
<p>The official language of Mexico is Spanish, which is spoken by 90
percent of the people. Indian languages of the Aztecs, Mayans, and other
tribes are still spoken throughout the country. Originally there may
have been more than 200 roots of native languages.
</p><p>In 1889, Antonio García Cubas estimated that 38% of Mexicans
spoke an indigenous language, down from 60% in 1820. By the end of the
20th century, this figure had fallen to 6%.
</p><p>In the early history of Mexico after the Spanish conquest, the
spiritual leaders knew Latin, and where schools were established, Latin
was a required subject, so you may find some Latin terms included in
church records.
</p><p>Hundreds of native languages and dialects existed although very
few written records survived the European conquest. Of these the Náuatl
language, spoken by the Aztecs of the Central Plateau region, is
predominant, followed by the Mayan of the Yucatan Peninsula and Northern
Central America. The Zapoteco, Mixteco, and Otomi languages follow in
importance.
</p><p>In the early records a great many Indian words, especially names
and localities, found their way into the Spanish language. Many of them
were modified to make them more pronounceable to the Spanish conquerors.
</p><p>Spanish phonetics may affect the way names appear in genealogical
records. For example, the names of your ancestor may vary from record
to record in Spanish. For help in understanding name variations, see <a href="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Mexico_Names,_Personal" title="Mexico Names, Personal">Mexico Names, Personal</a>.
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<h2><span class="gmail-mw-headline" id="gmail-Language_Aids">Language Aids</span></h2>
<p>The Family History Library provides the following aids:
</p>
<ul><li><a href="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Spanish_Letter_Writing_Guide" title="Spanish Letter Writing Guide">Spanish Letter Writing Guide</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Spanish_Genealogical_Word_List" title="Spanish Genealogical Word List">Spanish Genealogical Word List</a></li></ul>
<p>The following English-Spanish dictionaries can also aid you in your
research. You can find these publications listed below and similar
material at many research libraries:
</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external gmail-text" href="https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/497306"><i>Cassell’s Spanish-English, English-Spanish Dictionary</i></a> New York: Macmillan, 1978. (FHL book 743.21 C272c 1978.)
</p><p>Velázquez de la Cadena, Mariano. <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external gmail-text" href="https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/238835"><i>A New Pronouncing Dictionary of the Spanish and English Languages</i></a> New York: Appleton- Century-Crofts, 1942. (FHL book 463.21 V541n.) y también <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external gmail-text" href="https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/240751">volumen 2</a> del mismo.
</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external gmail-text" href="https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/330060"><i>Diccionario de Autoridades</i></a> (Dictionary of Authorities). 3 vols. Madrid: Edit. Gredos, 1963. (FHL book 463 D56ld.)
</p><p>Additional language aids, including dictionaries of various
dialects and time periods, are listed in the "Place Search" section of
the FamilySearch Catalog under:
</p>
<dl><dd>MEXICO- LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGES</dd></dl>
<p>They are also listed in the "Subject" section of the FamilySearch Catalog under:
</p>
<dl><dd>SPANISH LANGUAGE- DICTIONARIES</dd></dl>
<p>And remember that a great free resource is always <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external gmail-text" href="http://translate.google.com">Google Translate</a>.
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<div class="gmail-references-small"><ol class="gmail-references">
<li id="gmail-cite_note-1"></li></ol></div><li id="gmail-cite_note-1"> <span class="gmail-reference-text">Tony Burton, "Did you know? Oaxaca is the most culturally diverse state in Mexico" (Mexconnect Mexico Culture and Arts, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external gmail-free" href="http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/1165-did-you-know-oaxaca-is-the-most-culturally-diverse-state-in-mexico">http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/1165-did-you-know-oaxaca-is-the-most-culturally-diverse-state-in-mexico</a>).</span>
</li>
<li id="gmail-cite_note-2"></li><li id="gmail-cite_note-2"> <span class="gmail-reference-text">John P. Schaml, "Indigenous Languages of Mexico" (Mexconnect Mexico Culture and Arts, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external gmail-free" href="http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico">http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico</a>).</span>
</li>
<li id="gmail-cite_note-3"></li><li id="gmail-cite_note-3"> <span class="gmail-reference-text">John P. Schmal, "Indigenous Languages of Mexico," (Mexconnect Mexico Culture and Arts, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external gmail-free" href="http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico">http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico</a>), point 3</span>
</li>
<li id="gmail-cite_note-4"></li><li id="gmail-cite_note-4"> <span class="gmail-reference-text">John P. Schmal, "Indigenous Languages of Mexico," (Mexconnect Mexico Culture and Arts, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external gmail-free" href="http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico">http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico</a>), point 4</span>
</li>
<li id="gmail-cite_note-5"></li><li id="gmail-cite_note-5"> <span class="gmail-reference-text">John P. Schmal, "Indigenous Languages of Mexico," (Mexconnect Mexico Culture and Arts, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external gmail-free" href="http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico">http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico</a>), point 9</span>
</li>
<li id="gmail-cite_note-6"></li><li id="gmail-cite_note-6"> <span class="gmail-reference-text">John P. Schmal, "Indigenous Languages of Mexico," (Mexconnect Mexico Culture and Arts, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external gmail-free" href="http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico">http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico</a>), point 12</span>
</li>
<li id="gmail-cite_note-7"></li><li id="gmail-cite_note-7"> <span class="gmail-reference-text">John P. Schmal, "Indigenous Languages of Mexico," (Mexconnect Mexico Culture and Arts, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external gmail-free" href="http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico">http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico</a>), point 13</span>
</li>
<li id="gmail-cite_note-8"></li><li id="gmail-cite_note-8"> <span class="gmail-reference-text">John P. Schmal, "Indigenous Languages of Mexico," (Mexconnect Mexico Culture and Arts, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external gmail-free" href="http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico">http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico</a>), point 18</span>
</li>
<li id="gmail-cite_note-9"></li> <span class="gmail-reference-text">John P. Schmal, "Indigenous Languages of Mexico," (Mexconnect Mexico Culture and Arts, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external gmail-free" href="http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico">http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3689-indigenous-languages-in-mexico</a>), point 19</span>
<br clear="all"><div><div><div><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+<br><br> Harold F. Schiffman<br><br>Professor Emeritus of <br> Dravidian Linguistics and Culture <br>Dept. of South Asia Studies <br>University of Pennsylvania<br>Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305<br><br>Phone: (215) 898-7475<br>Fax: (215) 573-2138 <br><br>Email: <a href="mailto:haroldfs@gmail.com" target="_blank">haroldfs@gmail.com</a><br><a href="http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/" target="_blank">http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/</a> <br><br>-------------------------------------------------</div>
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