Nahuatl language
Nahuatl language
Nahuatl (pronounced: /ˈnɑːwɑːtəl/), also known as Mexicano or Aztec, is a group of related languages and dialects of the Nahuan (traditionally called "Aztecan") branch of the Uto-Aztecan language family.
Etymology
The term "Nahuatl" comes from the Nahuatl word "nāhuatlahtōlli," which translates to "clear sound" or "commander's language." The word "Nahuatl" itself is composed of "nāhua-" (clear, understandable) and "-tlahtōlli" (language).
Related Terms
- Uto-Aztecan languages: A Native American language family of Mexico, the Southwestern United States, and Central America.
- Aztec civilization: A Mesoamerican culture that flourished in central Mexico in the post-classic period from 1300 to 1521.
- Mesoamerica: A historical region and cultural area in North America, extending from approximately central Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica.
- Nahua peoples: Indigenous peoples of Mexico and El Salvador who speak Nahuatl languages.
Pronunciation
The pronunciation of Nahuatl varies among regions and dialects. However, the standard pronunciation is /ˈnɑːwɑːtəl/.
Grammar
Nahuatl grammar is agglutinative, polysynthetic and uses a complex system of affixes. It is characterized by a noun-verb distinction, the use of morphemes, and a complex system of verb conjugation.
Vocabulary
Nahuatl has a rich vocabulary, with many words borrowed from Spanish and other languages. It includes terms for natural phenomena, social roles, and abstract concepts.
Writing System
The Nahuatl language uses the Latin script, introduced by Spanish colonizers. Before the Spanish conquest, Nahuatl was written in a pictographic script.
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