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Which branch of Uto-Aztecan is firmly part of the Mesoamerican linguistic area?
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The branch of the Uto-Aztecan language family that is firmly part of the Mesoamerican linguistic area is the Aztecan (or Nahuan) branch.1
While other Uto-Aztecan languages are spoken in regions to the north, the Aztecan branch underwent significant structural and lexical changes upon entering Mesoamerica. These adaptations allow it to fit structurally into the Mesoamerican linguistic area, distinguishing it from its northern Uto-Aztecan relatives. Examples of this branch include Nahuatl and Pipil.23