These Latinx Entrepreneurs Are Helping us Learn Endangered Indigenous Culture and Languages

While the Spanish language today acts as a unifier across Latin America and South America, it isn’t the only, nor was it the first, language to be spoken. Over the many centuries of colonization by Europeans, the Spanish language (in addition to religious, economic, agricultural and other influences) was imposed on Indigenous people. They were forced to adjust and learn a new language and way of life, leaving their native culture behind. 

Although Spanish is spoken by nearly 600 million worldwide, many people are interested in learning about Indigenous traditions and cultures that are in danger of being forgotten and passed on. That’s why these entrepreneurs are putting in the effort to shed light on the past, break away from stigma (due to discrimination and prejudice) and create positive representation and pride in the communities still grasping on to their Indigenous roots. Whether it's through collective action and group organization or working with the latest technology, they’re focused on providing a new learning experience to highlight the beauty of their native tongue and culture, and express visibility to those who have been oppressed.

Students from Mexico’s Autonomous University of Chapingo — Mitoyl App

Language: 68 Indigenous Languages

Location: Web

Learning Format: Virtual

University students are preserving and saving not one, not two, but 68 Indigenous languages in Mexico. A group of college students created Mitoyl, a mobile app that contains a dictionary and translator for various Indigenous languages available to people of all ages, even as young as elementary-aged children.

“It is not just about storing the mother tongues, we want to raise awareness of the cultural richness that must be preserved, seeking to be more inclusive with our roots,” Luis Emilio Álvarez Herrera, student and director of Miyotl app, told El Heraldo.

The app features languages such as: Chocholteco, Mazahua, Náhuatl, Tzeltal, Zapoteco, Zoque along with many more. Many of these languages can be found spoken throughout Central America including El Salvador and Guatemala. As the app, named after “ray of light” in Náhuatl, continues to develop, more features will be introduced such as flashcards as well as more languages. 

Interested in learning about the Indigenous languages in Mexico? Download the app now and begin your adventure. 

Elva Ambía — Quechua Collective of New York

Language: Quechua

Location: United States 

Learning Format: In-person and Virtual

Elva Ambia is a Peruvian educator, writer, activist, and founder of the Quechua Collective of New York. Elva lived in the highlands of Peru until her teenage years, where she was happily immersed in the country’s Indigenous Quechua culture. Once she moved to the US, she was devastated to leave her Andean roots behind. After not being able to find books at the public library to learn Quechua, Ambia took it upon herself to begin preserving, teaching and raising interest in Quechua.. In 2012, she founded the Quechua Collective of New York, a group aiming to preserve and educate others on the 1,000-year-old language. 

“In Peru, it seems like most schools want kids to abandon the Quechua language in favor of Spanish,” Ambia told Remezcla. “It’s not right. Why should they have to forget the first language of this country? It’s only killing the language faster.”

Quechua is spoken in Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia. There are various varieties of the language as the geographical location has a direct impact on the dialect. Following the conquering of the Incan empire, life and culture shifted for the local people — ultimately changing the native language from Quechua to to Spanish. In recent years in various countries, bilingual education has been implemented to allow for the continuation and preservation of the land's native language, especially in Ecuador and Bolivia. 

The Quechua Collective of New York is bringing South America up north and into the city. In hopes of preserving and diffusing the language across New York City, the organization engages with the community to celebrate and promote Quechua. Gather round for Indigenous  food, film discussions, retreats, classes, workshops, and games with the Quechua Collective! You can sign up for their newsletter to hear about virtual classes including an online beginner course that starts in September. 

Interested in learning any of the Indigenous languages found across the Latinx community? Let us know your favorite learning tool or group! 

If you, a friend or a family member are seeking ways to support Latinx communities and entrepreneurs, go to our business directory. 

Have any recommendations about apps or groups that are diffusing indigenous languages into mainstream culture? Share them with us in the comments below or on Instagram.

Authored by Bianca Alvarez.