otomangue

Otomangue, also spelled Otomanguean or Oto-Manguean, is a major language family of indigenous languages spoken in Mexico. The name reflects historical subgrouping and is used in linguistic literature to refer to a large, diverse set of related languages that share ancestry dating back to pre-Columbian times. It is one of the most extensive language families in the Americas in terms of linguistic diversity.

The family comprises several branches, including Otomian, Zapotecan, Mixtecan, Mazatecan, and related groups. While there are commonalities across the languages—such as tonal systems and rich verbal morphology—there is substantial diversity in phonology, syntax, and lexical inventories across the branches. Many Otomanguean languages are predicate- or verb-centered, with complex affixal systems that mark tense, aspect, mood, person, and other grammatical categories.

Geographically, Otomanguean languages are concentrated in Mexico, with the strongest concentrations in Oaxaca. Other communities are found in neighboring states such as Veracruz, Puebla, and Guerrero. The number of languages within the family is large, and the number of speakers varies by language; several languages have large speaker bases, while others are endangered or have only a small number of speakers left.

Endangerment and language maintenance are ongoing concerns. Many Otomanguean languages face pressures from dominant languages, though revitalization efforts exist, including community-based education, development of writing systems, and linguistic documentation to preserve and revive linguistic heritage. The term Otomanguean remains a standard label in scholarly work for this family.