Nahuatl Interpreters and Translators: A Quick Guide

valeriamarchese2
May 23
5 min read

As the Nahua people increasingly migrate to the United States for safety, economic opportunities, and a better quality of life, language access is one of their biggest obstacles. This is where Nahuatl interpreters step in and help migrants integrate safely into their new surroundings.

For the Nahua, whose cultural and linguistic heritage has stood the test of time, interpreters play a major role in bridging the gap between their traditional ways of life and the challenges of modern migration.

This blog explores the Nahuatl language, why the Nahua are migrating, and the support interpreters can provide them as they settle in the United States.

Who speaks Nahuatl?

Nahuatl (NAH-wah-təl), the lingua franca of the ancient Aztec empire, is an Indigenous language spoken in central and western Mexico. Speakers of Nahuatl are commonly referred to as Nahuas. The Nahuatl language has been in continuous use since at least the 7th century and is one of the most widely spoken Indigenous languages in the Americas. Today, approximately 1.5 million people speak Nahuatl, primarily in central Mexico.

Nahuatl belongs to the Uto-Aztecan language family and was the language of the Aztec and Toltec civilizations. The Mexican government has recognized 30 distinct variants, some of which are mutually unintelligible. Huasteca Nahuatl, spoken by over one million people in northeastern Mexico, is the most widespread variant.

As the language of the Aztec Empire, Nahuatl served as a lingua franca across much of Mesoamerica from the 7th century until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Aztec administration, culture, and commerce were all conducted in Nahuatl during the 15th century at the height of their empire.

After the Spanish conquest, Nahuatl adopted the Latin alphabet and became a literary language. During the 16th and 17th centuries, native scholars and scribes produced an impressive range of works including poetry, historical chronicles, administrative documents, grammars, and illustrated codices. This literary language, based on the Tenochtitlan variety and now known as Classical Nahuatl, became one of the most thoroughly documented and studied languages of the Americas. However, its use gradually declined during the 19th and 20th centuries because of colonial policies and national efforts favoring Spanish use.

English has adopted several Nahuatl words, particularly for food from Mesoamerica. "Avocado" comes from ahuacatl, "chocolate" from xocolatl, "tomato" from tomatl, "chili" from chilli, and “shack” from xacatli. Even one of the nation’s largest Mexican restaurant chains, Chipotle, comes from Nahuatl word chīlpoctli, meaning “smoked chili.” The Nahua people are also known for their innovative agricultural methods, such as chinampa, which involves creating floating gardens to maximize irrigation, and in turn, crop yields.

Why are the Nahua migrating?

Nahua migration is largely motivated by the pursuit of better educational opportunities and living conditions. Many families face limited access to resources, forcing them to relocate in hopes of a more stable future. Mexico's economy, which has witnessed recurring financial crises, has disproportionately affected Indigenous communities and worsened their circumstances. Migrating is often the only way they can survive.

Economic necessity drives the majority of Nahua migration. More and more young Nahua move to urban areas in Mexico for employment. Many make the dangerous journey to the United States to find work in agriculture and factories. Whether they relocate temporarily or permanently, they often leave their families behind and send remittances to help support them.

NAFTA's implementation in 1994 left lasting effects on the Nahua. The trade agreement contributed to already growing economic disparities in Mexico and further widened the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Rather than delivering on its promise of economic growth, NAFTA actually worsened poverty, inevitably forcing many Nahua to leave their homes to look for work and stability elsewhere.

The Roles And Importance Of Nahuatl Interpreters

Nahuatl interpreters help migrants to express themselves and understand the information they are given, allowing them to better advocate for themselves and make more informed decisions.

Interpreters act as trusted guides for Nahua migrants, guiding them through the complex U.S. immigration system, and helping them get access to medical, legal, and social services. In settings like doctor's appointments, immigration proceedings, and court hearings, qualified Nahuatl interpreters are indispensable.

Besides providing language assistance, interpreters are also integral to intercultural communication. Having an interpreter who understands both American and Nahua cultures can help make communication smoother and less stressful for both sides.

The demand for Nahuatl interpreters has increased in recent years, particularly in healthcare and legal settings. The number of qualified interpreters, however, remains low. With approximately 30 Nahuatl variants and limited interpretation programs, finding and certifying skilled interpreters comes with many challenges.

There are currently almost no language proficiency tests for speakers of Nahuatl and its variants, and very limited training resources in the Spanish language, which makes it difficult for aspiring interpreters to meet certification requirements for the healthcare and legal fields. This gap in language services means that Nahuatl speakers are often unable to access resources such as medical care, legal aid, and social services.

Without professional interpreters, they face a higher risk of misdiagnoses, unfair asylum rulings, and unjust deportations. To maintain their right to language access, Nahuatl speakers need qualified interpreters who can help them work through these complex systems.

Work With A Nahuatl Interpreter from Maya Bridge

At Maya Bridge, we offer language services for Nahuatl and all of its variants to provide your organization with comprehensive linguistic support. Since 2021, we have provided Nahuatl to English interpretation to countless government agencies, healthcare organizations, and courts. As a small, niche interpretation agency specializing in Latin American Indigenous languages, we are uniquely equipped to offer on-demand Nahuatl interpretation, 24 hours a day.

We offer:

Video Remote Nahuatl Interpretation
Over-the-phone Nahuatl Interpretation
In-person Nahuatl Interpretation
Court-certified Nahuatl Interpretation
Medical-certified Nahuatl Interpretation
Nahuatl Translation
Nahuatl Voiceover and Subtitles

Learn more about our language services here.

Maya Bridge - A Leading Advocate For Latin American Indigenous 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 100 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.