Family language policy in Indigenous and bilingual communities: case studies of Nahuatl-speaking caregivers in Mexico

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper reports on the family language policy (FLP) of three families in a Nahuatl community in Mexico. It investigates the role of (i) parental experiences, beliefs, attitudes and expectations, (ii) child practices, and (iii) broader societal attitudes in shaping these policies. Drawing on survey and interview data, the study points to a tension between generally positive attitudes towards Nahuatl and reported language practices in the home. The three cases offer different perspectives on the complex interplay between language practices in the home and broader social, cultural and political processes. Shedding light on ongoing processes of language shift in this Nahuatl-speaking region, this study contributes data-based knowledge to the FLP literature in Indigenous communities.