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Maya languages facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Dresden Codex p09
Page 9 of the Dresden Codex showing the classic Maya language written in Mayan hieroglyphs (from the 1880 Förstermann edition)

The Maya language (or Mayan languages) is a group of languages spoken in Central America.

Mayan languages are spoken by at least 6 million native Maya. Most of them are in Guatemala, Mexico, or Belize. In 1996, Guatemala formally recognized 21 Mayan languages by name, and Mexico recognises eight more.

The Mayan language family is one of the best documented and most studied in the Americas. Modern Mayan languages come from Proto-Mayan, a language which was probably spoken at least 5000 years ago. It has been partially reconstructed.

Images for kids

  • Palenque glyphs-edit1

    Classic period Maya glyphs in stucco at the Museo de sitio in Palenque, Mexico

  • Idioma Chuj

    Drawing with text written in the Chuj language from Ixcán, Guatemala.

  • Dresden codex, page 2

    Yucatec Maya writing in the Dresden Codex, ca. 11–12th century, Chichen Itza

  • Menu in maya

    Dinner menu in Kaqchikel, Antigua, Guatemala

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Lenguas mayenses para niños

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