The Mayan languages in Guatemala are part of the larger Mayan language family, which includes various languages spoken by the indigenous Maya people across Mesoamerica.

Guatemala is home to a significant Mayan population, and several Mayan languages are spoken in different regions of the country.

The Mayan languages in Guatemala are generally classified into several groups, with each group containing multiple individual languages.

Some of the major Mayan language groups spoken in Guatemala include:

1. **K’iche’ (Quiché):** This is one of the most widely spoken Mayan languages in Guatemala. The K’iche’ people primarily inhabit the central highlands.

2. **Q’eqchi’ (Kekchi):** The Q’eqchi’ language is spoken by the Q’eqchi’ people in the lowland regions of eastern Guatemala, particularly in the departments of Alta Verapaz, Izabal, and Petén.

3. **Kaqchikel:** Spoken by the Kaqchikel Maya, who reside in the central highlands of Guatemala, around Lake Atitlán and in the capital city, Guatemala City.

4. **Achi’:** The Achi’ language is spoken by the Achi’ people, primarily in the departments of Baja Verapaz and El Progreso.

5. **Mam:** Spoken by the Mam people in the western highlands of Guatemala, particularly in the departments of San Marcos and Quetzaltenango.

6. **Ixil:** Spoken by the Ixil people in the department of Quiché, particularly in the towns of Nebaj, Chajul, and Cotzal.

These are just a few examples, and there are more Mayan languages spoken in different regions of Guatemala.

It’s important to note that within each language group, there may be several distinct languages or dialects.

The preservation and revitalization of these languages are important for maintaining the cultural diversity and heritage of Guatemala’s indigenous communities.

Mayan languages in Guatemala

The Mayan language family has no demonstrated genetic relationship to other language families. Similarities with some languages of Mesoamerica are understood to be due to diffusion of linguistic traits from neighboring languages into Mayan and not to common ancestry. Mesoamerica has been proven to be an area of substantial linguistic diffusion.

A wide range of proposals have tried to link the Mayan family to other language families or isolates, but none is generally supported by linguists. Examples include linking Mayan with the Uru–Chipaya languages, Mapuche, the Lencan languages, Purépecha, and Huave. Mayan has also been included in various Hokan, Penutian, and Siouan hypotheses. The linguist Joseph Greenberg included Mayan in his highly controversial Amerind hypothesis, which is rejected by most historical linguists as unsupported by available evidence