logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
November 29, 2021 by Carmen Rizzo Hispanic Culture 0 comments

Mayan Languages Spoken in Guatemala

Language in Guatemala is a curious thing. One of the first things we are taught in school is that Guatemala is un país multilingüe y pluricultural (a multilingual and pluricultural country). 

It is amazing how, after hundreds of years, wars, changes, and adaptations, we can still experience part of what the Mayan civilization was, not only by visiting ancient Mayan sites but also through language.

Read this article to learn about Guatemala’s languages, how they shape our country, the indigenous languages are spoken in Guatemala, how to learn them, and how they’ve adapted to survive. 

All About Language in Guatemala

Guatemala’s official language is español (Spanish), and 24 other languages are spoken throughout the country. Of the 25 languages spoken in Guatemala territory, 22 are Mayan languages, 1 is a Xinca language, and the other a Garífuna language.

You’ll hear many Guatemala languages at the parks, the markets, and the malls. But where do those languages come from? Why isn’t there just one native language in Guatemala? What Guatemalan indigenous languages are still in existence today?

language in Guatemala

Mayan Languages in Guatemala

Mayan languages have existed for thousands of years. The Maya civilization occupied the territory from Mexico to northern Central America, including what is today the Yucatan peninsula, Guatemala, and Belize from 2000-1000 BC. 

According to linguistics experts, Mayan languages emerged around 4,000 years ago in Sierra de los Cuchumatanes—the highest non-volcanic mountain range in Central America—where the department of Huehuetenango is located now. 

The proto-Mayan language that emerged there is called “nab’ee tziij” in the Mayan language K’iche’, and it means antigua lengua (ancient language). With time, and because of wars and migration, this ancient language slowly evolved into the Mayan languages we know today. 

Experts believe that one of the major evolutions to the ancient language took place 3,000 years ago, where it evolved into four major branches or languages: 

  • Wasteka 
  • Yukateka 
  • Western languages (primarily Tzetal and Q’anjob’al)
  • Eastern languages (primarily K’iche’ and Mam)

These four greater languages are separated into several smaller branches. 

Mayan languages

Evolution of Mayan Languages

From 1524 to 1700, Mayan languages suffered significant changes due to the Spanish conquest.

During that time the Mayans were enslaved, reduced, and controlled. This caused several languages to fuse, which created new languages.

Besides those new languages, the Mayans were displaced from their homes and forced to adapt to the traditions, customs, and language of their conquerors. 

The process of castellanización (castellanizacion) was the process of teaching Spanish to everyone and making it the official language. The natives had to change the grammatical structure of their languages and add Spanish words to their vocabularies to communicate better.

Read an in-depth analysis of how the Mayan languages originated and evolved. 

Mayan Languages in Guatemala Today

Today, five of the six major branches of the nab’ee tziij are spoken in Guatemala. There is a high concentration of Mayan language speakers in the west, north, and central parts of the country, while Spanish is far more spoken in the southeast.

These five major branches are divided into 30 languages, but in Guatemala, only 22 are spoken. Of these 22 languages, the following four are the most prominent.

1. K’iche’

The Quiche (or K’iche’) language in Guatemala is the most extended linguistic community in the country after Spanish. In fact, it is the second most spoken language in Guatemala and one of the most popular for people to learn. 

It is used in 65 municipalities in the following departments: 

  • Quiché
  • Huehuetenango
  • Quetzaltenango
  • Retalhuleu
  • Sololá
  • Suchitepéquez
  • Totonicapán
  • San Marcos
  • Chimaltenango

2. Q’eqchi’

This language is spoken in 21 municipalities in the departments of:

  • Alta Verapaz
  • Petén
  • Quiché
  • Izabal

3. Kaqchikel

This Mayan language is spoken by at least half a million people in Guatemala, in 54 municipalities in:

  • Baja Verapaz
  • Chimaltenango
  • Escuintla
  • Guatemala
  • Sacatepequez
  • Sololá
  • Suchitepequez

4. Mam

The Mam language in Guatemala is spoken by, at least, 500,000 Guatemalans in 61 municipalities in:

  • Huehuetenango
  • San Marcos
  • Quetzaltenango
  • Retalhuleu
  • Quiché

According to the 2015 projections of el Instituto Nacional de Estadística (National Statistics Institute), approximately 4.75 million people speak those four groups of Mayan languages in the country. 

Here’s a list of all 22 Mayan languages spoken in Guatemala:

Akateko, Achi’, Awakateko, Chalchiteko, Ch’orti’, Chuj, Mopan, Itza’, Ixil, Kaqchikel, K’iche’, Mam, Q’anjob’al, Q’eqchi’, Poqomchi’, Popti’ —Antes Llamado Jakalteko—, Poqomam, Sakapulteko, Sipakapense, Tektiteko, Tz’utujil, Uspanteko

Because a great part of the population of Guatemala speaks a Mayan language, La Academia de Lenguas Mayas (ALMG; Mayan Language Academy) was founded in 1990. It’s the most important authority in the country in matters of Mayan languages. 

Mayan languages

The Importance of Mayan Languages in Guatemala 

For years, people have referred to Mayan languages as dialectos (dialects), but the Mayan people in Guatemala asked for them to be recognized as idiomas (languages) instead of dialects. The correct terminology is idiomas mayas (Mayan languages).

Mayan languages have expanded beyond Guatemala thanks to migration. Native Mayan speakers in the United States and Canada have traveled there to work for a better life.  

Since 1972, every April 23, el Día del Idioma (language day) has been celebrated in Guatemala because, according to the Congress of the Republic, the Mayan languages, Xinca, and Garífuna are historical wealth that must be transmitted from generation to generation. 

language in Guatemala

Endangered Languages

While some of the most popular languages in Guatemala like K’iche’ or Mam thrive, others, like Itzal or Chalchiteko are in great danger of disappearing. Besides campaigns to keep this heritage alive and the work made by the communities, there might be another solution to preserve these languages: technology.

According to Plaza Pública, technology may be one of the best tools to help the Mayan communities in Guatemala, to not only preserve their languages, but to also help in their everyday life.

For example, in Técpan, a few hours outside of Guatemala City, illiterate comadronas (midwives) use their smartphones to report deliveries with audios and pictures. The device provides a fast and safe way to ask for help if needed. 

Mozilla Firefox is available in Kaqchikel, as are Wikipedia articles! Mayan professionals have even developed apps to learn these languages.

In some schools in the country, learning a Mayan language is part of the curriculum. It is great to see how now these languages are appreciated and celebrated, especially after so many years of oppression and destruction. As a society, we must protect and preserve native and indigenous languages. 

If you’re interested in learning a Mayan language, check out these online courses at the Academy of Mayan Languages in Guatemala. YouTube videos also offer free classes. 

Mayan language

Build Your Future

If you are interested in learning more or learning a Mayan language, consider learning Spanish too! Mayan languages are infused with Spanish words and expressions, so learning Spanish helps you to understand these languages better! 

Learning Spanish makes your life so much easier and more fulfilling when you travel to Guatemala or anywhere in Latin America (or Spain)! You’ll be able to talk with the locals and practice your Spanish. Learning Spanish helps your cognition and decision-making abilities, so that way you can decide where to go, what to eat, and what to try on your adventure! 

What are you waiting for? Sign up today for a free trial class with a certified native-speaking teacher at Homeschool Spanish Academy. Check out our programs and take a peek at our affordable prices and begin this new adventure with us! 

certified teachers
free Spanish class button

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these

Sharon K, Parent of 3

“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”

– Sharon K, Parent of 3

Cindy D, Parent of 3

“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”

– Cindy D, Parent of 3

Erica P. Parent of 1

“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”

– Erica P. Parent of 1

Ready to learn more about Guatemala and Latin America? Check these out!

  • What’s the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino?
  • 6 Unique Festivals in Spain You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
  • Which Languages Do They Speak in Brazil?
  • 10 Surprising Facts About Semana Santa in Spain
  • 12 Easy Steps To Becoming an English-Spanish Translator
  • 12 Traditional Bolivian Foods You’ll Want To Try
  • 10 Famous Afro-Latinas Who’ve Made a Powerful Impact
  • Love in Spanish: Unique Valentine’s Day Traditions in Latin America
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Carmen Rizzo
Carmen Rizzo
Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy
I’m a native Spanish speaker from Guatemala with a B.A. in Psychology. I have a passion for teaching Sunday school in my spare time and for learning and sharing valuable information. I'm a cat lover who gets excited over cartoons, anime, and video games. I dabble in digital illustration and animation. I'm inspired by sharing my culture, traditions, food, and beliefs with others, while learning about theirs in return.
Carmen Rizzo
Latest posts by Carmen Rizzo (see all)
  • An Easy Vocabulary Guide to Describe the Post Office in Spanish - February 10, 2023
  • Guatemala’s Biggest, Most Colorful Market: Chichicastenango - December 28, 2022
  • 8 Sad Spanish Songs for When Your Heart Is Broken - December 6, 2022
trending topics
0

Related Posts

Key Benefits of Learning Soanish

3 Key Benefits to Being Bilingual in the Workforce

March 1, 2018
Read More
Spanish Foods

Food for Thought: 6 Spanish Foods to Learn About (and try!)

June 5, 2018
Read More
bilingualism in the US

Bilingualism: How the US Compares to Other Countries

June 14, 2018
Read More
bilingual

Ahead of the Pack: How Becoming Bilingual Now Can Leap your Child Ahead of Their Peers

May 12, 2018
Read More

Leave a Comment! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Learn How To Summarize in SpanishPrevious Post
6 Hidden Gems in Mexico You Should Know AboutNext Post

About Us

With over 10 years of experience, HSA is where your goals merge with our teachers’ passion: to improve your Spanish fluency. Custom-tailored to fit your needs, you choose your program, schedule, favorite teachers, pace of learning, and more.. Learn More

Resources

  • About
  • Get a Transcript
  • FAQs
  • How it Works
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • What’s the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino?
    What’s the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino?
    March 16, 2023
    Hispanic, Latino. What’s the difference? Do...
  • Equipping Your Child for Fluency: 8 Tips for Teaching Spanish
    Equipping Your Child for Fluency: 8 Tips for Teaching Spanish
    March 15, 2023
    Do you want your kid to become fluent in...

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Contact Us© 2022 HSA. All rights reserved.