Otomi is an extinct, unclassified Mesoamerican language formerly spoken in the state of Jalisco, Mexico.
| Otomi | |
|---|---|
| Region | Jalisco, Mexico |
| Extinct | (date missing) |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | None (mis) |
It is uncertain if the Otomi language of Jalisco is related to the Otomi language spoken elsewhere in Mexico, or if it is an unrelated language with the same name.[1][2]
Geographic distribution edit
Otomi was spoken in the province of Amula, in the communities of Cuzalapa (now in the municipality of Cuautitlán de García Barragán), Tuxcacuesco, and Zapotitlán de Vadillo.[3][4] Nahuatl was also spoken in these communities.[4]
Sources edit
The use of the Otomi language was described in a relación geográfica made in 1579 by Francisco de Agüero, alcalde mayor of the province of Amula.[5] The relación also mentions an Otomi name, Ercape, said to mean "a flea that itches greatly".[6]
The language is also mentioned, though not named, by Antonio de Ciudad Real, who visited Tuxcacuesco and Zapotitlán with Alonso Ponce in 1587. He called it "a unique language" (Spanish: una lengua particular).[7]
Extinction edit
Otomi became extinct due to the community shifting from using Otomi to using Nahuatl as their primary language.[8] Nahuatl had become a lingua franca in the pre-Columbian era, being used as the administrative language of the Aztec Empire and as a trade language beyond the empire's borders, and was subsequently also promoted by the Spaniards after the Spanish conquest.[9] Nearby languages that went extinct in similar circumstances include Cochin, Sayultec, Tiam, Tamazultec, and Zapotec.
Citations edit
- ^ Gerhard 1993, p. 46.
- ^ Harvey 1972, p. 312.
- ^ Harvey 1972, p. 322.
- ^ a b Cline 1972, p. 327.
- ^ Agüero 1878.
- ^ Agüero 1878, pp. 317–318.
- ^ Ciudad Real 1993, p. 138.
- ^ Harvey 1972, p. 313.
- ^ Harvey 1972, p. 299.
References edit
- Agüero, Francisco de (1878) [1579]. "Discripcion [sic] de Zapotitlan, Tuscacuesco y Cusalapa, por el alcalde mayor Francisco de Aguero" [Description of Zapotitlán, Tuxcacuesco and Cuzalapa, by the alcalde mayor Francisco de Agüero]. Noticias varias de Nueva Galicia, intendencia de Guadalajara [Various reports of Nueva Galicia, intendency of Guadalajara] (in Spanish). Guadalajara: Tip. de Banda, ex-convento de Santa María de Gracia. pp. 282–321.
- Ciudad Real, Antonio de (1993). García Quintana, Josefina; Castillo Farreras, Víctor M. (eds.). Tratado curioso y docto de las grandezas de la Nueva España [Curious and Learned Treatise on the Grandeurs of New Spain] (in Spanish). Vol. II (3rd ed.). ISBN 968-36-2811-7.
- Cline, Howard F. (1972). "A Census of the Relaciones Geográficas, 1579–1612". Handbook of Middle American Indians. Vol. 12: Guide to Ethnohistorical Sources, Part One. Austin: University of Texas Press. pp. 324–369. ISBN 0-292-70152-7.
- Gerhard, Peter (1993). A Guide to the Historical Geography of New Spain (revised ed.). Norman and London: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 0-8061-2553-5.
- Harvey, H. R. (1972). "The Relaciones Geográficas, 1579–1586: Native Languages". Handbook of Middle American Indians. Vol. 12: Guide to Ethnohistorical Sources, Part One. Austin: University of Texas Press. pp. 279–323. ISBN 0-292-70152-7.