| Proto-Mixe–Zoquean | |
| Also Known As: | Proto-Mixe–Zoque |
| Familycolor: | American |
| Acceptance: | partial reconstruction |
| Era: | ca. 2000–1200 BCE |
| Target: | Mixe–Zoquean languages |
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]
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.
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]
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]