The Nahuatl language is a language spoken by 1.5 million people, mostly in Mexico.
History
Nahuatl has existed since the 7th century CE.
The first people to speak Nahuatl were indigenous peoples in central Mexico. The Aztecs and the Toltecs spoke an early form of Nahuatl.
The people of Teotihuacan may have spoken Nahuatl.
Nahuatl has changed since the end of the Aztec Empire. Over time, many different dialects of Nahuatl have developed. Today, people who speak different Nahuatl dialects do not always understand each other.
The words "Mexico," "Guatemala," and "Nicaragua" all come from Nahuatl.
Use today
Today, most people who speak Nahuatl live in central Mexico. but A few live in other parts of Mexico or in the United States.
Nahuatl is one of the official languages of Mexico. However, most people who speak Nahuatl now also speak Spanish.
Many phrases that are unique to Mexican Spanish come from Nahuatl, according to John Lipski. The unique phrases are called "Mexicanisms." An example is ándale, which often means "let's go." Another example is the word Bueno? and is used by many Spanish-speakers when they answer the telephone.
Nahuatl words in English
Some English words from Nahuatl origin are: avocado axolotl cacao and cocoa chili chocolate coyote ocelot peyote sapote tequila tomato