This paper examines the actual content and use of Indian vocabulary in standard Guatemalan Spanish, as opposed to the numerous entries found in antiquated dictionaries. Over 600 Indian words were extracted from contemporary Guatemalan literature and Lisandro Sandoval's "Semantica guatemalense." Interviews were arranged with middle and upper class speakers of Guatemalan Spanish in Guatemala City and Xelaju, the second largest city. The subjects were divided into four age groups: (1) 14-21, (2) 22-35, (3) 36-50, and (4) 51 and over. Several usage patterns emerged. Approximately 225 words were not recognized by any group. These words are semantically divided into terms for trees, plants, animals, rare insects, fish, Indian clothing, expressions for sick children, kinship, agriculture procedures, chiefs or bosses, the devil, and extinct professions. The oldest group recognized the most Indian words, and each progressively younger group was acquainted with fewer. Vocabulary used by all groups was divided into three groups: (1) Fruits and vegetables: achiote, aguacatal, caimito, camote, piloy, and pozol, (2) Animals: cutete, coyote, pijije, and tacuacin, and (3) Utensils and clothing: caite, comal, guacal and paxte. (CHK)