Proto-Mixe–Zoquean language

Proto-Mixe–Zoquean or Proto-Mixe–Zoque is a language that language scholars and Mesoamerican historians believe was spoken on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec during the Initial Formative Period (c. 2000–1200 BCE).^[1] Wichmann (1995) has reconstructed nearly 600 Proto-Mixe–Zoquean lexical items.^[2]

Proto-Mixe–Zoquean
Proto-Mixe–Zoque
(partial reconstruction)
Reconstruction of	Mixe–Zoquean languages
Era	ca. 2000–1200 BCE

Ethnic marker

Olmec influence on neighboring groups and cultures and those who followed them suggest that they shared a similar language, or were rooted in a similar language.^[3] In later Mesoamerican languages, evidence of loan words suggests that the Olmecs influenced both material culture and the language. Many words borrowed by these early civilizations indicate a shared vocabulary of Mesoamerican cultigens (beans, squash, tomatoes, and maize) and food preparation.^[4] Mesoamerican speakers had a sophisticated culture for their time.

Phonology

A vowel could be short or long, and the nucleus of a syllable could be a short or long vowel or followed by /ʔ/ or /h/.^[5]

Mixe–Zoque language

Archaeologists call this culture Mokaya, which means 'people of the corn' in the contemporary Mixe–Zoque languages.^[6] Archaeological evidence indicates that the Mixe–Zoque language was spoken across the isthmus, therefore sharing its roots in this Olmec language tradition, and a common ancestor, the proto-Mixe–Zoque.^[7]

See also

• Mixe–Zoque languages
• Mixe languages
• Zoque languages