Jace Norton
- Aug 28
- 3 min read

Here’s Why We Stopped Calling Indigenous Languages “Rare Languages” and Why You Should, Too

In the language industry, “rare" is a term that is often used to describe indigenous languages or other less commonly spoken languages. As Maya Bridge continues to advocate for indigenous language access, we want to ensure that the words we use to describe and talk about indigenous languages don’t convey unintended meanings or misconceptions. We understand very well that the words we use can affect perceptions of indigenous languages, which can in turn affect the quality and level of language services available to speakers of those languages. We believe that every language deserves the same level of respect, recognition, and accessibility, regardless of how many people speak it. That’s why we’ll no longer be referring to indigenous languages as "rare languages" but "languages of lower diffusion" instead.

Here are 5 reasons why we've decided to stop calling indigenous languages “rare languages”:

It devalues languages

Using the word "rare" can unintentionally undermine a language’s value and vitality. The term "languages of lower diffusion" better acknowledges that indigenous languages, though not as widespread as colonial languages like English and Spanish, are still spoken and used today, in many cases by millions of speakers. Moreover, it emphasizes that these languages did not spread as much for a variety of complex socio-political reasons.

“Rare” has a negative connotation in Spanish

In Spanish, the colonial language that many of our indigenous language interpreters speak as a second language, the word “rare” carries negative connotations. Raro or rara, although it also means “uncommon”, typically implies that something is strange, unusual, or unpleasant. This can create unintentional negativity and misperceptions around these languages, and can be taken offensively by the interpreters that we value so much.

It implies a language doesn’t have many speakers

“Rare” also implies scarcity. Although speakers of indigenous languages often don’t have as many speakers as global/colonial languages like Spanish, Portuguese, or Russian, there are many times still hundreds of thousands or even tens of millions of speakers of many different indigenous languages. Take Quechua, for example, which has an estimated 10-13 million speakers, or Fulani, which has over 35 million speakers throughout Africa across a continuum of different regional dialects. Using "lower-diffusion" instead of "rare" acknowledges that they are still actively spoken by millions of individuals, albeit across comparatively smaller geographic areas.

It helps avoid the "exotic" label

Calling a language “rare” can also unintentionally make it seem “exotic” or foreign as if it were a novelty or somehow “not the same” as other languages. By categorizing indigenous languages like this, people may not consider them to be practical, living languages that are used every day. Describing a language as lower-diffusion removes the sense of “otherness” and instead positions it as simply another means of communication.

It makes it sound difficult to find an interpreter

When people hear a language is "rare," they might assume they’ll have a hard time finding interpreters for it. At Maya Bridge, we make it easy to work with high-quality interpreters of languages of lower-diffusion. We have worked and continue to work very diligently to create a large network of professional linguists in as many lower-diffusion languages as possible, which means we can quickly find you a qualified interpreter, even if it is a language that you have never heard of or know nothing about.

Language is a powerful tool for connection, communication, and cultural exchange. Each one is an invaluable form of human expression that is innately familiar and comforting to its speakers. Ultimately, referring to them as "lower-diffusion" instead of "rare" shifts the emphasis from their comparative scarcity to their immeasurable value as a tool. Thinking about indigenous languages, not as something exotic or strange, but as being exactly the same as languages like English, just with comparatively fewer speakers, will help us provide more compassionate, informed care and services. With this change, we hope to better acknowledge the rich cultural heritage and diversity of Indigenous languages, showing more respect to their speakers and recognizing their contribution to the world.

Maya Bridge - A Leading Advocate For Indigenous and Lower-Diffusion Language Access In The U.S.

Since 2021, Maya Bridge Language Services has been advocating for increased access for speakers of Mayan and other Latin American and global indigenous languages here in the United States. Maya Bridge is a mission-driven, niche interpretation agency offering 24/7 on-demand services for over 80 Indigenous languages from Latin America, as well as African, Asian, Pacific Island, Native American, and other Indigenous languages.

We have worked diligently to mobilize, train, and evaluate a network of hundreds of interpreters both in the U.S. and throughout the world to ensure that speakers of Indigenous languages can fully understand and be understood in important situations like healthcare, legal settings, in disaster and emergency response scenarios, and in receiving access to government programs.