Mexican Expert Says Indigenous Languages Are Peoples’ Wealth

Mexico, Sep 28 (Prensa Latina) Indigenous languages are the rich history of peoples and their conservation enriches the cultural treasure of our nations, says the renowned Mexican specialist Lucia Tepole.
In Mexico there are 364 linguistic variants and 68 native languages to be found throughout nearly the entire country, the general director of the Academy of Indigenous Languages from Veracruz said in an interview with Prensa Latina.

Tepole was a participant at the Second International Seminar on Indigenous Languages, held on September 26 and 27 in Mexico City, and considers that communities and the government have an important joint responsibility to strengthen this cultural heritage.

The event, convened by the National Institute of Indigenous Languages and the National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples was attended by about 400 local and foreign delegates, including native interpreters, academics, researchers, government officials, teachers and authorities.

She said that one of the topics discussed at the meeting was the use of interpreters and translators in specific cases such as law enforcement.

Participants also dealt with other issues such as access to health, promoting social development, use of these languages in the media, the use of technology and migration.

She noted there was “a rich exchange of experiences of participants from other countries like India, Mali, Argentina, New Zealand and Bolivia, just to mention a few examples.”

We need to eliminate existing discrimination, she stressed, adding that “many ethnic groups believe indigenous language is an obstacle to social development and a limitation in the workplace.”