Growth of the Toluca Valley and its effect on the disappearance of indigenous languages from 1990 to 2010: A historical-linguistic approach

Abstract

The central objective of this study is to investigate the effect of the population growth in the Toluca Valley in the maintenance of indigenous languages. The hypothesis of this paper is to analyze how the rapid growth of Toluca Valley along with the industrialization and urbanization processes have accelerated the vanishing of indigenous languages at an alarming rate; however, growth, in particular, does not correspond to the increase in the number of speakers of indigenous languages in the region. Through a historical and linguistic approach in the municipalities: Toluca, Metepec, Zinacantepec, Lerma and San Mateo Atenco, the diminishing and endangered path of indigenous languages (nahuatl, mazahua y otomi) is portrayed. The analysis period considered for the analysis runs from 1990 to 2010. Finally, the hypothesis is tested and accepted: The growth rate of the Toluca Valley has an inverse relationship with the maintenance of indigenous languages and development in the region. Therefore, some linguistic policies are proposed in order to maintain and enrich the linguistic and cultural development of those indigenous linguistic communities in the region.