Eastern Mayan languages

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June 25, 2026

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The Eastern Mayan languages are a subgroup of the larger Mayan language family, spoken in parts of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. This subgroup, also known as K'ichean-Mamean, diversified from the main Mayan language tree.1

The Eastern Mayan languages are further divided into two branches:
* K'ichean: This branch includes languages such as K'iche', Kaqchikel, Tz'utujil, and Q'eqchi'.1
* Mamean: This branch consists of languages like Mam, Teco, Awakateko, and Ixil.1

The Mayan languages have a long history, with a complex hieroglyphic writing system used from at least 300 BCE to the end of the 17th century CE. The decipherment of this writing has significantly advanced our understanding of Mayan civilization.1

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Mayan languages
…Tzeltalan (Ch’olan-Tzeltalan), Greater Q’anjob’alan, and Eastern Mayan (K’ichean-Mamean). The Greater Tzeltalan subgroup split into two branches, Ch’olan and Tzeltalan. The Ch’olan languages are Chontal, Ch’ol, Ch’ortí, and Choltí (extinct). Tzeltalan has Tzeltal and Tzotzil. Greater Q’anjob’alan also has two branches, Q’anjob’alan and Chujean. The Q’anjob’alan languages are Mocho’ (Motocintlec) and…
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…Tzeltalan (Ch’olan-Tzeltalan), Greater Q’anjob’alan, and Eastern Mayan (K’ichean-Mamean). The Greater Tzeltalan subgroup split into two branches, Ch’olan and Tzeltalan. The Ch’olan languages are Chontal, Ch’ol, Ch’ortí, and Choltí (extinct). Tzeltalan has Tzeltal and Tzotzil. Greater Q’anjob’alan also has two branches, Q’anjob’alan and Chujean. The Q’anjob’alan languages are Mocho’ (Motocintlec) and…
Read More