La pratique des langues indigènes chez les franciscains de la Nouvelle-Espagne au XVIe siècle (province du Santo Evangelio de Mexico, 1570)

Abstract

In New Spain the Franciscans realize very soon that if they want to convert the Indian masses, they must have a common language. Therefore, they learn the native tongues in order to practice their ministry. The Mexican councils of 1555 and 1556 turn this into a main goal. Quite a few clerics in charge of Indians can speak a native tongue by 1570. Nevertheless, their register in that language is very varied and, they don’t always know the language of the population they are dealing with : a fact which explains the permanence of translators. The evaluation of the number of speakers enables to determine more accurately the conditions and the impact of evangelization.

Keywords

• Evangélisation
• Langues indigènes
• Mexique
• Nahuatl
• Religieux