New digital books in Mixteco available at Oxnard School District

OXNARD, Calif. – New digital books in the Mixteco language are available for students in transitional kindergarten through 8th grade at Oxnard School District.

According to the superintendent of the school district, Oxnard is home to the second-largest population of Mixteco-speaking people in the entire world.

Two diligent Mixteco interpreters helped translate 25 books into the Mixteco language, which is one of 16 indigenous languages in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico.

One of those interpreters, Argelia Alvardo Zarate, explained the power of linking children's learning environment and the families around them, “That's something very important for us, for the parents to have something to share with their children, especially now that it's like so, so important for these kids to learn how to read at a very young age.”

Oxnard School District sees the addition of these books as key to its mission to serve all students and their families in their community. Some students have benefitted already, and not just in learning the power of reading in any language.

“They start to feel ashamed of Mixteco speaking," said Norma Zarate Cruz. "[We] want them to grow up feeling very proud of themselves because we have seen kids now that when they see us and when they find out that there are Mixteco-speaking staff here at the district, they seem to be very happy, and we want them to know that.”

There are actually 65 variants of the Mixteco language. The variant in these books originates in the southern region of Oaxaca, specifically the San Martín Peras community, many of whom are an essential part of the Oxnard community.

Alberto Mendoza with the Oxnard School District said, “It’s part of them. It is not hidden, it is not in the shadows. It’s been given the light. It has been given that space to say yes, you and your language is part of us.”

Ultimately, this milestone of linguistic inclusion is overshadowed by the indescribable role that education can play in the lives of young people, no matter what language they learn.

“[It] doesn't matter that you're indigenous or speak an indigenous language. Everything is possible. The doors are open for everyone. And we want the kids to know that they can do anything they wish to do in their life,” said Norma Zarate Cruz.