Ten indigenous Mexican languages are in danger of extinction, according to José Luis Iturrioz Leza, head of the Department of Indigenous Languages Studies of the University Centre for Social Sciences and Humanities of the University of Guadalajara.
On 11 November, Iturrioz made a speech entitled “The value of a language” as part of the celebration of the 21st anniversary of the foundation of the Support Unit for Indigenous Communities. According to Iturrioz, informs the University in a note, all indigenous languages of Mexico are, to a greater or lesser extent, under threat, which means that if current trends continue and no measure is taken to revert this process, most of the languages may not survive after the 21st century.
Iturrioz emphasised that, taking into account the number of speakers, the Mayan language appears to have a secure future, but everything will depend on how Spanish will be considered and if it will be use as a vehicular language in education, he said.
He also said that it is easier to rebuild a pyramid than a language. The latter is impossible. He also added that a language is more complex than a pyramid, and infinitely more valuable. “If we have been able to show interest in archaeological remains of the past, even more so should we make the effort of preserving the indigenous languages, so that these are part of our future and our present.”
Iturrioz stated that it is necessary to prevent this languages from isolation, and give them communicative spaces such as community radio stations, where indigenous people can communicate.
On 11 November, Iturrioz made a speech entitled “The value of a language” as part of the celebration of the 21st anniversary of the foundation of the Support Unit for Indigenous Communities. According to Iturrioz, informs the University in a note, all indigenous languages of Mexico are, to a greater or lesser extent, under threat, which means that if current trends continue and no measure is taken to revert this process, most of the languages may not survive after the 21st century.
Iturrioz emphasised that, taking into account the number of speakers, the Mayan language appears to have a secure future, but everything will depend on how Spanish will be considered and if it will be use as a vehicular language in education, he said.
He also said that it is easier to rebuild a pyramid than a language. The latter is impossible. He also added that a language is more complex than a pyramid, and infinitely more valuable. “If we have been able to show interest in archaeological remains of the past, even more so should we make the effort of preserving the indigenous languages, so that these are part of our future and our present.”
Iturrioz stated that it is necessary to prevent this languages from isolation, and give them communicative spaces such as community radio stations, where indigenous people can communicate.
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