How did Mexicans come to speak spanish?

Question

Just mainly curiosity, but I was curious how Spainish became the language of Mexicans. Spainish was the language of Spain, which I think was around before Mexico, correct? So wouldn't that mean Mexicans originated from Spain? Like, explorers or something?

PS: Not sure if it will be seen this way, but this is in no way a racial comment. Just curious.

Answer 1

Okay, You don't know anything about Christopher Coloumbus, aye? He sailed for the Americas representing Spain. The Spanish then claimed the lands there. In fact Spanish is a widespread language throughout most of South America too because of this reason.
However, in Mexico there was a bigger threat to the invaders, the Aztecs. The Mayans also lived there, but they were dying away by the time the Spanish arrived. A Conquestador (conquerer) by the name of Cortez, conquered the Aztecs in a long bloody war, and after that the Spanish took over the land. There was mixing of culture and some parts of the language after that.
In South America the Spanish fought the Incas, and Pizzaro (think it's spelled so) conquered that nation.

Later there was an Issue when the Portuguese tried to settle in South America. The Pope divided it and the line went through modern Brazil, saying that the Portuguese can have that land. That's why Brazil's national language is Portuguese.

There are some other interesting facts about the conquest of Mexico, and the Americas. Also parts of the US were once under Spanish rule as well, later either sold off or conquered.

If you want more info, come talk to me.

Answer 2

The short answer is because Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés conquered them between 1519 and 1521. .

However, Spanish did not take hold in Mexico immediately. Nahuatl (or Aztec) was still widely spoken in Mexico in the 16th century and many of the colorfully illustrated chronicles from this period were written in the Nahuatl language using Spanish-style Roman letters.

The transition to Spanish by large numbers of Mexicans didn't occur until the 17th century. By that time, the Spanish were beginning to consolidate their rule in Mexico and to send over more missionaries and colonists (colonos) from the mother country.

This pretty much doomed the Nahuatl language although it hasn't disappeared completely. About 1.5 million Mexicans still speak it. Some years ago, I encountered two Mexican women in an Arctic Circle restaurant speaking Nahuatl to each other. It doesn't sound at all like Spanish.

Answer 3

Mexicans actually speak Spanish. Most of the Mexicans you see are most likely poor - they have a limited command of English and so, of course, they speak Spanish with each other. It's no different to the Japanese speaking in Japanese to each other, or you using English with your friends. Of course, the cheap labour these Mexicans provide helps to maintain the cheap prices you take for granted when you go shopping in places like Walmart. If you really think they're saying bad things about you, I think you need to re-examine your actual place in the universe. I doubt they even know you're there, or if they do, that they care.

Answer 4

Long story short, Spanish explorers and conquistadors traveled to the Americas centuries ago, with many Spaniards settling there. Over time, with the blending of the Spaniards and Indigenous peoples it basically became it's own culture with the Spanish language being dominant. There are still areas in Mexico where the original languages of the indigenous peoples are still spoken.

Answer 5

The Spanish colonized Mexico (which had people and cultures just as old, if not older, than Spain's) and much of South America, hence the dominance of the Spanish language.

The natives were forced to integrate and adept to Spanish culture, including the language. Though native languages such as mayan still exist.

btw, that first answer is just plain ridiculous.

Answer 6

Mexicans speak Spanish because when the British and other countries came over, the Spanish [who were also a powerful country at the time] wanted to have some land as well. Have you ever noticed that some part of the US is more german orientated, french, english, etc? The US has two more "countries" attached too it, they divided the land. Spain had mexico, france had part of canada, along with britain. With a larger population on spanish in mexico, the native language became spanish.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

The Spanish colonized Mexico. There are also a lot of French and German speaking Mexicans because the French and Germans settled in mexico.
The first answer is soooo incorrect.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

because the spanish conquistadores brought the language over with them when they were colonizing central and south america. go figure.

and yes, today some mexicans are descended of their spanish colonizers, but most have mayan or aztec heritage.