WE RECOMMEND |
Trilingual bookPatrick Johansson’s delightful new (2021) sensitively written and beautifully illustrated book in Nahuatl, Spanish and English - Ahnelhuayoxóchitl. |
Want to LEARN Náhuatl?
From time to time we get enquiries from individuals wanting to study Náhuatl. We’re based in the UK, where currently we know of no Náhuatl teachers or resident speakers willing to help, so resources are hard to get. However things are slowly changing, so keep coming back - we’ll post here any new developments...
We DO know of Náhuatl teachers in other countries (USA, Mexico, Italy...) and are happy to put you in touch with them if you contact us. We also know of organisations that may be willing to offer Náhuatl conversation classes by Skype and/or videoconferencing: first port of call here we would recommend is IDIEZ, based in Zacatecas, Mexico - link below.
In the meantime we’re happy to recommend a book that several experts swear by as the best all-round entry-level resource: Foundation Course in Náhuatl Grammar (two volumes) by R. Joe Campbell and Frances Karttunen, SUNY Potsdam, New York, 1989. Currently out of print, it IS (2016) now available as a download from the University of Oregon website - link below.
Other books that have been recommended by experts include:-
• Thelma D. Sullivan’s Compendium of Nahuatl Grammar, University of Utah Press, Texas, 1988
• Nahuatl as Written by James Lockhart, Stanford University Press, 2001 (for Classical Náhuatl)
• An Analytical Dictionary of Nahuatl by Frances Karttunen, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, 1992.
Here's what others have said:
17 At 5.10pm on Wednesday October 27 2021, EmmaM wrote:
I was wondering if you knew any Nahuatl teachers within the UK?
Thank you!
Mexicolore replies: It may seem odd, and it’s a real shame, but we don’t! As soon as we DO hear of one, we will publicise the fact. We will want classes ourselves...!
16 At 7.53am on Saturday October 9 2021, Amanda Davila wrote:
I am looking for resources in an effort to learn Nahuatl.
Mexicolore replies: I’m afraid that we can do no more than point you to the resources we already list on the site - please see above, and in the r/h menu...
15 At 3.38am on Saturday August 18 2018, Ryan Finley wrote:
I would like to learn Náhuatl i live in the usa. So if you can get me a teacher that offers free lessons id really like that.
Mexicolore replies: Please see the next message below for our suggestion on this...
14 At 1.17am on Tuesday June 19 2018, Joseline wrote:
Hi I’m in San Jose CA and I really want to learn Nahuatl! Any people based here or near my area that Can teach me!?!
Mexicolore replies: Because we’re based in London, UK, we can’t help you ourselves. We would suggest you approach the H-Nahuatl network - https://networks.h-net.org/h-nahuatl
13 At 6.49pm on Friday April 14 2017, Nick wrote:
Hello, there is a Nahuatl speaker that offers basic lessons on Skype or Google Hangouts, visit Italki.com. He’s a fantastic teacher.
Mexicolore replies: Thanks for the tip. We’re keen to give this guy a try ourselves...!
12 At 8.28pm on Monday March 13 2017, Cassidy wrote:
Hi! I’m really trying to learn Náhuatl and can’t find any way to learn. I don’t know Spanish and I don’t want to learn basic Spanish but do want to learn Náhuatl. If anyone can help me I’d be extremely grateful.
11 At 3.32pm on Friday June 27 2014, Kurt wrote:
I found a resource for Nahuatl Grammatical Structure in PDF form as it pertains Nahuatl spoken in Veracruz on the site of the University of Alberta, written by Carl Wolgemuth. Here’s the link: http://www.ualberta.ca/~csmackay/Mecayapan.pdf
Mexicolore replies: Thanks, Kurt. This is indeed another useful resource, if a bit ‘dry’. It’s the work of the (evangelistic) Summer Institute of Linguistics.
10 At 11.01pm on Thursday March 27 2014, Steve wrote:
There was a bit of a mix-up. The course is still available, but I had to pay more for shipping. It is very good.
Mexicolore replies: Thanks, Steve. That’s good news...
9 At 8.25am on Saturday February 15 2014, Adrian wrote:
Want to learn nahuatl? I’d like to teach via Skype. Please contact me at jadrian.perezr@gmail.com
PS I’m from Mexico
8 At 1.29pm on Friday February 14 2014, Steve wrote:
Unfortunately, the Foundation Course in Nahuatl Grammar is no longer available from SUNY Potsdam.
Mexicolore replies: This is disappointing news - we’ll try and find out if it’s available by another route - but thanks, Steve, for letting everyone know...
7 At 11.24am on Monday June 24 2013, grecia wrote:
where is a good place to study Nahuatl in Mexico? thank you
Mexicolore replies: We suggest at IDIEZ in Zacatecas (see this page). Unfortunately (June 2013) their website is still ‘down’...
6 At 9.21am on Friday June 7 2013, ZeVs wrote:
The www.macehualli.org website is down. Do you know anyone at IDIEZ that we could contact? Thank you very much.
Mexicolore replies: This is, maddeningly, not the first time their website has been down. The person we know best is the director, Professor John Sullivan. We’re sure that soon the site will be back up. Meanwhile we’ll send you a contact email address privately.
5 At 10.00am on Tuesday June 4 2013, ZeVs wrote:
Hello. Do you know teachers in Spain or teachers able to provide online classes (with skype for example) ? Thank you very much.
Mexicolore replies: We don’t know any in Spain (though will search...); for classes by Skype we recommend IDIEZ in Zacatecas, Mexico (www.macehualli.org).
4 At 7.25am on Friday January 25 2013, Zvs wrote:
Hello. Do you know of any Nahuatl teacher in France ? Thank you very much.
Mexicolore replies: Sorry to say we don’t. Italy, yes! Sounds as if there’s plenty of scope for Náhuatl teachers here in Europe...
3 At 1.43pm on Friday August 10 2012, seth wolitz wrote:
Another book for learning Nahuatl that is easily accessible in French and now in English {Cambridge U. P.) is Launey, Michel, An Introduction to Classical Nahuatl.
Mexicolore replies: Cheers, Seth, thanks for this tip. We know that Frances Karttunen and several other Náhuatl scholars are admirers of Launey’s work. The English version of this book only came out in the last year or so.
2 At 4.12pm on Thursday August 9 2012, Katia H wrote:
It would be great to locate a Nahuatl teacher in the UK, but I’m sorry I can’t help. I’m interested in the Nahuatl language, and it would be great to be able to listen to naturally spoken Nahuatl in order to get the “feel” of the language. Many would agree that the pronunciation of the Mexica words is complicated. Are there any sites or videos of the spoken language?
Mexicolore replies: IDIEZ have uploaded some lovely, simple, very short instructional videos (greetings, counting, etc.) with subtitles on Youtube: search for ‘IDIEZ Nahuatl’.
1 At 12.08pm on Wednesday August 8 2012, Tecpaocelotl wrote:
I think the best thing to do is explain which dialects of Nahuatl the books are.