Vol. 30 No. 3 (2025): Endangered Languages and Varieties in the Americas

For minoritized languages speakers across the Americas, their mother tongue often represents much more than a mere communication tool —it can become an identity symbol, articulate social relations and bonds, convey wisdoms and traditions from one generation to another, structure thinking, and heal, among many other roles. Nevertheless, it is known that languages, as social representations, allow both empowering and subordinating, creating stereotypes and, often, determining individuals’ social status. This is why many endangered languages are linked to discrediting and stigmatization, stereotypes linked to marginalization and underdevelopment, invisibility or some perceived uselessness. This problematic is beautifully illustrated in artist Victoria García's photographic and pictoric series. We invite you to look at a sample of her work here.