Like many aspects of cultures around the world, languages aren’t easy to tally. Many outside Mexico might assume Spanish is the only language spoken there, but that assumption would be incorrect. However, when you explore the languages of Mexico, Spanish is a good place to start. Rosetta Stone’s tutoring sessions can help you learn Latin American Spanish quickly through conversational practice with an expert language tutor.
Mexico is a vast country of more than 126 million people with diverse linguistic heritages captured in different languages and dialects. It’s actually recognized as the most linguistically diverse country on the American continent. There are hundreds of languages other than Spanish that you might hear throughout the country—so many that we can’t list them all. But we’ll provide an overview of what languages are spoken in Mexico.
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How many languages are spoken in Mexico?
Current estimates suggest there are around 290 languages spoken in Mexico, including Spanish and indigenous languages.
- About 94% of Mexico’s population speaks only Spanish.
- Around 5-6% of Mexicans speak Spanish and indigenous languages.
- Nearly half of the languages spoken in Mexico are considered endangered.
What is the official language of Mexico?
When you think of Mexico, español (Spanish) is likely the first language that comes to mind. And for good reason! Mexico doesn’t have an official language, but Spanish is the most commonly used language there.
In 2003, the Mexican Congress passed the General Law of Linguistic Rights of the Indigenous Peoples. The law recognizes indigenous languages as “national languages” with “the same validity” as Spanish, so many consider these languages all to be the official languages of Mexico.
The National Institute of Indigenous Languages (INALI), created by the Mexican government, recognizes 68 indigenous groups in the country, each with its own language that features many dialects and variations. As of the 2020 census, there were 70 languages for Mexicans to choose from in identifying the languages they speak.
Indigenous languages of Mexico
More than 5,000 people in Mexico speak an indigenous language and do not speak Spanish. Each indigenous language has its unique heritage and cultural significance and is a testament to resilience. All indigenous languages of Mexico are now categorized into 11 language families.
The 10 most widely spoken indigenous languages in Mexico include:
| Indigenous Language | Number of Speakers |
| náhuatl | 1,651,958 |
| Maya | 774,755 |
| tseltal | 589,144 |
| tsotsil | 550,274 |
| mixtec | 526,593 |
| Zapotec | 490,845 |
| otomí | 298,861 |
| totonaco | 256,344 |
| ch’ol | 254,715 |
| Mazatec | 237,212 |
>> See how Rosetta Stone is helping indigenous communities reclaim their languages.
Náhuatl
There are about 30 variants of the Náhuatl language, which is part of the Yuto-Nahua language family. Given that it’s the most widely spoken indigenous language in Mexico, it’s no surprise you can hear this language spoken in almost every region of the country. Náhuatl is a variant of what the Aztecs spoke, and it became widespread throughout Mexico long before the Spanish conquest.
Maya
Maya is one of the 11 language families all indigenous languages are categorized into. There are 20 Mayan languages with 43 variants, and you’ll generally hear Mayan languages spoken in southern Mexico. The tseltal language is a member of the Mayan language family and is considered a stable language. The tsotsil language is also part of the Mayan language family, but it’s considered an endangered language.
Mixtec
The Mixtec language is part of the Oto-mangue language family and includes 81 variants. You’ll mostly hear these languages spoken in the southern part of central Mexico, just north of where the Mayan languages are spoken.
Why is Spanish the most widely spoken language in Mexico?
The presence of the Spanish language in Mexico dates back about five hundred years with the arrival of the Spanish. This marked the beginning of a brutal colonial period and profound linguistic and cultural transformation in Mexico.
Spanish is now the dominant language for these reasons:
- Spanish conquest: From 1519-1521, Hernán Cortés led the Spanish conquistadors in defeating all indigenous civilizations, including the Aztec empire.
- Indigenous language suppression: In 1696, King Charles II banned the use of any language other than Spanish in the Spanish colonies. Indigenous languages in Mexico were suppressed, and indigenous people were forced to adopt Spanish.
- Education and media: Spanish-language schools and universities were widely established during the colonial period. After Mexico gained independence in 1821, the government created an education system meant to Hispanicize native people. Today, the media reinforces Spanish as the primary language in Mexico.
What is the difference between Mexican Spanish and Spain Spanish?
There are many versions, or dialectos (dialects), of Spanish within Mexico, just like there are many versions of English in the United States. Each has its differences in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. It’s common for beginner Spanish learners to think there’s one version of Spanish spoken within a country. But in the debate of “Mexican Spanish” vs. “Spain Spanish,” neither is a universal language within its respective country.
The version of Spanish that evolved in Mexico was a product of contact between multiple languages. Colonial Spanish blended with the languages spoken by native communities, creating vocabulary and expressions that have roots in Náhuatl, Maya, and other indigenous languages.
| Spanish | English |
| el aguacate (Náhuatl) | the avocado |
| el cacao (Náhuatl) | the cocoa |
| el cenote (Maya) | the natural well, sinkhole |
| chelo, chela (Maya) | blonde |
| el chicle (Náhuatl) | the chewing gum |
| el elote (Náhuatl) | the corn |
In most language learning programs, like Rosetta Stone, the Spanish language is split into Spanish (Spain) and Spanish (Latin America). The versions of Spanish spoken in Mexico would be more similar to the Latin American Spanish programs. Rosetta Stone’s TruAccent speech recognition engine compares your voice to the voices of native speakers to help you sound more regionally accurate when speaking Spanish in Mexico.
>> Discover how many people speak Spanish around the world.
Is English spoken in Mexico?
With its close proximity to the United States and its popularity as a tourist destination, English is among the answers to the question, “What languages are spoken in Mexico?” You’ll find that English is most often spoken in tourist destinations like Cancún and Playa del Carmen. Many people in the tourism industry, such as hotel staff, tour guides, and restaurant workers, are likely to speak at least some English.
Other common places where English is widely spoken include:
- Urban Centers: In major urban centers like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, English is common, especially among the younger and more educated populations.
- Business: International businesses, multinational corporations, and universities frequently conduct their operations in English or require a level of English proficiency.
- Expat Communities: In areas with a significant expatriate community, such as Lake Chapala, San Miguel de Allende, or Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find more English speakers. They may create English-speaking social networks and services.
Whenever you travel abroad, it’s important to remember that not everyone you meet will be fluent in English. You’ll feel more confident interacting with locals if you learn some basic Spanish words and phrases before you visit Mexico!
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