Language and Linguistic Justice

Sor Juana navigated multiple linguistic worlds—indigenous languages, Spanish, Latin—and used linguistic mastery as intellectual claim-staking in colonial Mexico. Language and poverty intersect critically: poor communities often face linguistic discrimination, limited access to dominant languages that enable advancement, and dismissal of their linguistic practices as inferior. Linguistic justice means recognizing all languages as valid, supporting multilingualism, and ensuring that linguistic barriers don't restrict intellectual access. Sor Juana's polyglot sophistication exemplified linguistic power; her tradition teaches that language mastery and linguistic pride are forms of intellectual resistance. For those in poverty, this involves supporting mother-tongue literacy, recognizing multilingualism as asset not deficit, and ensuring educational access regardless of linguistic background. The concept also addresses how language shapes identity: dominant-language education can alienate from cultural identity or empower cross-cultural access. Applying Sor Juana's approach means valuing linguistic diversity while ensuring that language access doesn't become another barrier dividing poor from privileged. Linguistic justice is therefore essential to poverty and identity work.