Latin American Indigenous Languages

The Latin American & Iberian Institute offers Quechua, Nahuatl, and Yucatec Maya each year for students interested in learning Latin American indigenous languages.  These languages count towards Latin American Studies language requirements and are open to any students interested in taking the courses.  These undergraduate courses are offered through the Department of Linguistics and can count as graduate credit (though may not count towards program requirements, depending on any given students' program of study).  Knowledge of Spanish language skills is highly emcouraged to take these courses.  The LAII partners with Centro Tinku, based in Cusco, and faculty in Huaraz, Ancash, Peru to offer Quechua at an introductory to intermediate level (advanced levels available on demand).  Nahuatl is offered through a collaboration with the Zacatecas Institute for Teaching and Research in Ethnology (IDIEZ) at the beginner to advanced level. Yucatec Maya is offered at the beginning and intermediate levels by UNM affiliated instructors in Valladolid, Mexico. Introductory courses of all Latin American Indigenous Languages are offered each fall semester. 

Course Information for Fall 2024

• Quechua 
• Nahuatl
• Yucatec Maya

Please reach out to Lenny Ureña Valerio (lurena@unm.edu)  if you have any questions or want more information about Latin American indigenous languages at UNM.