¿Qué implica la desaparición de las lenguas indígenas en México?
Watch the video below and explore annotations about vocabulary, grammar, sociocultural aspects of the language, and more.
Video 1 - ¿Qué implica la desaparición de las lenguas indígenas en México?
The loss of Indigenous languages goes far beyond words — it means losing deep‑rooted identities, cultural knowledge, and ways of understanding the world. In Mexico, many Indigenous languages are at risk of disappearing due to discrimination, social pressures, and reduced transmission between generations, pushing younger people to speak only dominant languages and weakening ancestral traditions. In the video below, you will learn about what it means for a language to disappear, why this loss matters for Indigenous dignity and identity, and how language rights and community efforts are connected to preserving cultural continuity.
¿Qué implica la desaparición de las lenguas indígenas en México?
Annotations
00:11 - 00:27
Why is the disappearance of Indigenous languages linked to dignity and identity?
00:11 - 00:27
How many Indigenous languages could disappear, according to this excerpt?
00:11 - 00:27
Risk of extinction of Indigenous languages: Around 30 languages could disappear due to discrimination; need to restore dignity and linguistic rights.
00:27 - 01:00
Are Indigenous languages spoken in Mexico City, according to the excerpt?
00:27 - 01:00
Description of an event that is being held at Mexico City with speakers of Indigenous
00:59 - 01:18
What do these statistics reveal about the relationship between Indigenous identity and language use?
00:59 - 01:18
How many inhabitants (or what percentage) of the Indigenous population speak their native language?
00:59 - 01:18
Statistics on linguistic diversity: Few Indigenous-identifying people still speak their ancestral languages.
02:11 - 02:58
Why does the speaker emphasize recognition 'as peoples' rather than as individuals?
02:11 - 02:58
Recognition of Indigenous peoples collectively; importance of International Day of Indigenous Peoples.
03:03 - 03:42
How do social pressures such as discrimination influence language transmission?
03:03 - 03:42
Causes of language loss: migration and discrimination lead to reduced transmission.
03:33 - 03:45
What meaning does the connector 'es por eso que' add?
03:33 - 03:45
Consecutive connector 'es por eso que' expressing consequence.
04:18 - 05:12
How do community practices contribute to cultural continuity and identity?
04:18 - 05:12
Community practices (mayordomía, tequio) build citizenship and cultural continuity.
05:25 - 05:37
What reflexive verb does the interviewee use in this excerpt?
05:25 - 05:37
Use of a reflexive verb to express transformation and to describe citizenship.
05:32 - 06:12
What role does music play in maintaining and transmitting cultural knowledge?
05:32 - 06:12
Search for an Indigenous artist from Mexico or other countries, including the US. Select one song and explain the lyrics.
05:32 - 06:12
Music as intergenerational cultural transmission in Mixe community.