Why are people in Mexico not trying to speak more of their indigenous languages that was prevalent before the colonial language Spanish?
Mexico's official language is Spanish, spoken by 92.7% of the population [2]. However, the Constitution recognizes both Spanish and indigenous languages as official [2]. The indigenous languages are legally recognized as part of Mexico's cultural heritage, and the country is working to preserve, study, disseminate, and develop them [2].
The indigenous languages of Mexico were prevalent before the colonial language of Spanish [1, 2]. The Mexican government recognizes 68 indigenous languages that are still spoken today [2]. However, many of these languages have few speakers or speakers who are of advanced age, so they are in danger of disappearing in the coming years [2]. Norma Alicia Meza Calles, one of fewer than 500 speakers of Kumeeyaay, said that a lack of attention from the government has played a role in the death of her language [1]. “We aren’t folklore. We are a form of life that needs to be treated with respect. We are those who take care of our environment . . . at times confronting the same government that grants permits without taking us into account,” she said [1].