The Status of Náhuatl as a Minority Language

Authors

  • Margita Petrović Doctoranda en la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18485/beoiber.2017.1.1.3

Abstract

This paper offers a reflection on the linguistic and sociolinguistic status of Nahuatl, a language with the highest number of speakers among Indo-Mexican languages. Controversial issues about Nahuatl unity/diversity, pertinence of standardization and literacy are discussed here. In the last part, the effects of linguistic contact are analyzed and it is demonstrated that in spite of its 1.5 million speakers, it is a language in danger due to the ongoing displacement.

Key words: Nahuatl, standardization, linguistic displacement, loan words, convergence, compound code alternation.

References

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Published

2017-05-17

Issue

Section

LINGUISTICS

How to Cite

“The Status of Náhuatl As a Minority Language”. BEOIBERÍSTICA - Journal of Iberian, Latin American and Comparative Studies (ISSN: 2560-4163 Online), vol. 1, no. 1, May 2017, pp. 43-62, https://doi.org/10.18485/beoiber.2017.1.1.3.