Guess...

what Mexica parents did when a child spoke its first word in Nahuatl?

Aztec Language

According to Alejandro de Avila (Flora: The Aztec Herbal), the Mexican government today recognises 30 ‘linguistic variants’ of the ‘Aztec’ language Náhuatl, Mexico’s second language, currently spoken by between 1 and 2 million Mexican people. Sadly, according to Miguel León-Portilla (personal communication), over 100 languages have died out in Mexico since the Spanish invasion.

NOTE 1: For useful extra links to online resources on Náhuatl, both Classical and modern, click on ‘Introductory Náhuatl Guide’ (right).

NOTE 2: For help in translating individual words or phrases into Náhuatl, see the growing section in ‘Aztec Sayings’ (right).

How do you say ‘brother’ in Nahuatl?

Our feature on Aztec song

‘How many words were there in the Aztec language?’

‘Did most words in the Aztec language end in -tl?’

“The meaning of ‘Náhuatl’”

The Latin American Institute at UCLA (USA) offers regular Nahuatl courses

Free download: ‘Lectura del Nahuatl: versión revisada y aumentada’ by David Charles Wright

‘One Man’s Mission to Keep Aztecs’ Ancient Language Alive’

San Diego State University revives its ‘Aztecs’ mascot debate, and starts Nahuatl classes

A Brooklyn (NY) newspaper is publishing in Nahuatl, Quechua and other languages:

‘Gran Diccionario de Nahuatl’ (UNAM) - online Nahuatl dictionary

Nahua visitors would offer grovelling apologies

for the intrusion, on entering someone’s house...

A modern Nahua poem by Natalio Hernández

- in Nahuatl, Spanish and English

An anonymous Mexica girl

composed a tender cradle song

In Aztec poetry a close relationship existed between

weeping and singing, both generating noise...

Count up to 10

in Nahuatl...

Spanish, Nahuatl and the language

of mestizaje...

Nahuatl surnames from Cholula

that still exist from Aztec times

A successful ancestor’s name could enhance

their descendants’ fortune...

The very first London Náhuatl

Study Day and Workshops...

Most recommended book

for learning Náhuatl...

Aztec place names give us insight

into the Mexica people and their lives...

Náhuatl has always been a language

rich in colour...

How has today’s Náhuatl changed

from Classical Náhuatl?

After the Conquest the Mexica

called horses ‘super-deer’...

The Aztecs took ‘double-entendre’

to a whole new level of meaning...

‘When in Rome...’

Download a basic Náhuatl guide

Ancient language, modern soundwaves

- how to pronounce some of the commonest words

Learn from two young locals

how to say Hello in Náhuatl

The Aztecs were nothing if not

‘proverbial’ speakers...