"Lenguaje: A Cultural History of the Spanish Language of New Mexico" explores the complex evolution of the Spanish language of a small corner of the Spanish-speaking world: New Mexico and southern Colorado. "Lenguaje" recounts the dramatic history of the Spanish language from its vulgar Latin roots in Spain to present-day New Mexico. The themes of conquest and settler colonialism are common threads that unite the differing phases of the evolution of the Spanish language of New Mexico. In this in-depth study, Dr. Richard Griego gives an engaging historical outline of the various cultures that have contributed to the evolution of the region's unique traditional language. Unfortunately, this variety of Spanish is disappearing. The book details efforts to save the Spanish language in the face of cultural and political forces since American colonization. The current effort of dual-language immersion education is giving hope to many that Spanish can be maintained, even if in a more modern and universal form. Griego invites Hispanic New Mexicans to ponder their identity and the role of the Spanish language in this identity.
*** "'Lenguaje' is impressively researched. Dr. Griego interprets the historical trajectory of Spanish in New Mexico and analyzes the role of Nuevomexicanos in keeping their ancestral language alive and as a major asset of their Mexicanidad. The text will provide a great service to scholars as well as the general public interested in Chicano culture." - Dr. David Maciel, historian, "Culture Across Borders," "El Bandolero, el Pocho y la Raza"
*** "'Lenguaje: A Cultural History of the Spanish of New Mexico' is an excellent analysis and exploration of the historical roots of how Spanish evolved from the earliest days of the written word to the current manifestation of the language in New Mexico. Dr. Griego offers a comprehensive narrative that explores the intimate interaction of human/social history with the spoken language. This is a must-read for those interested in studying the evolution of language within the context of national evolution at the global level.
"Dr. Griego presents a remarkable study of human history and language through the lenses of colonialism. The author demonstrates how language played a key role in global colonial expansion and conquest. The language of the powerful has always been dominant, yet, the language of the colonized survives. Spanish has been the language of colonizers as well as the c
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