The predominant reasons for the dominance of Spanish and Portuguese in Latin America can be attributed to several factors, particularly the following:
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Colonization: Spain and Portugal were the main colonial powers in Latin America during the Age of Exploration. They established colonies and imposed their languages as part of their governance, administration, and culture.
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Missionary Activity: Missionaries, particularly from the Catholic Church, played a significant role in the spread of Spanish and Portuguese. They used these languages to evangelize Indigenous populations, teach them, and create a cultural framework that heavily favored European languages.
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Socio-political Structures: The European settler populations often marginalized Indigenous languages through policies of assimilation and cultural dominance, which led to a gradual decline in the use of Indigenous languages.
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Social Dynamics and Trade: The establishment of economies and trade networks often necessitated a common language, which became Spanish or Portuguese due to the colonial influence. As populations mixed, especially in urban centers, the European languages became the lingua franca.
In summary, while all the listed options have some context, the most influential reasons aligned with the historical events of colonization and the efforts made by missionaries and colonial powers to establish their languages. The notion that Indigenous languages were perceived as inferior by Indigenous peoples themselves is a perspective that can be debated and varies depending on context.
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