Displacement and revitalization of the Nahuatl language in the High Mountains of Veracruz, Mexico

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Author
Author
Carlos O Sandoval Arenas
Journal
Arts and Humanities in Higher Education,
Details
Resource Type
Journal
Acquisition Number
BE026487
Published Date
07-18-2017 3:54 PM
Published Year
2016
Language(s)
Subscription Only
No
Abstract
This article focuses on language displacement in the High Mountains of Central Veracruz. It begins by presenting a brief historical account of the Nahuatl presence in the region in order to distinguish this group from other Nahuatl-speaking groups. Later, it describes the situation of language loss that is currently underway and argues that the gains of the indigenous movement in the last two decades, such as the intercultural system of education, have not translated into a process of language revitalization. It focuses on the lower linguistic status of Nahuatl in the region as a key factor in language displacement, caused by (a) a hierarchical value system associated with different language domains, (b) the absence of Nahuatl in educational spaces, and (c) the current low vitality of Nahuatl. The article concludes with some actions being taken at the Intercultural University of Veracruz to address the deep causes of language displacement.
Topics
Culture
Academic Language