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''[[Durango|Durango]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Durango_Language_and_Languages|Language and Languages]]'' | ''[[Durango|Durango]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Durango_Language_and_Languages|Language and Languages]]'' | ||
== Indigenous Languages of Durango== | |||
At least two percent of Durango's population speak an indigenous language. 80 percent of those belong to the Tepehuan, a group native to Durango.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durango#Demographics</ref> Other smaller groups include the Huichol and the Mexicaneros; both groups speak variations of the native language Nahuatl. Durango is also home to a small percentage of Tarahumara. The Tarahumara make their home base in the isolation of the Sierra Madre in Chihuahuañ but smaller numbers of them inhabit the neighboring Durango as well. | |||
Other non-Spanish speakers of Durango are the German-speaking Mennonites who live in small farming communities throughout the state; they number about 20,000. | |||
== Indigenous Languages of Mexico== | |||
Most materials used in Mexican research are written in Spanish. However, you do not need to speak or read Spanish to do research in Mexican records. However, you will need to know some key words and phrases to understand the records. | Most materials used in Mexican research are written in Spanish. However, you do not need to speak or read Spanish to do research in Mexican records. However, you will need to know some key words and phrases to understand the records. | ||
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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%. | 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%. | ||
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. | |||
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 | |||
Hundreds of native languages and dialects existed although very few written records survived the European conquest. Of these the | Hundreds of native languages and dialects existed although very few written records survived the European conquest. Of these the Náhuatl 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. | ||
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. | 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. | ||
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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 [[Mexico Names, Personal]]. | 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 [[Mexico Names, Personal]]. | ||
==Language Aids== | |||
The Family History Library provides the following aids: | The Family History Library provides the following aids: | ||
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:SPANISH LANGUAGE- DICTIONARIES | :SPANISH LANGUAGE- DICTIONARIES | ||
And remember that a great free resource is always [http://translate.google.com | And remember that a great free resource is always [http://translate.google.com Google Translate]. | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||