02/12/2021
La Malinche - the first Interpreter
LA MALINCHE: Caught Between Two Worlds
In the 16th century, one woman forever changed the course of Mexico's history.
She served Hernán Cortés as his translator and mistress and without her assistance, the Spanish conquistador would likely have been defeated.
She was a woman who had many names, Malintzin in her youth and Doña Marina, after she had been christened. However, today the name she is frequently remembered by is La Malinche or simply, Malinche. Her name has become synonymous with hatred and scorn.
Some consider her a traitor to her people, others a cultural bridge between the Spanish and Mesoamerican Indians. What nobody doubts is the key role that this woman had in the conquest and the genesis of America as we know it today. Her story, like her talent, is fascinating.
In 1519, Cortés and his men won a battle against a Mayan settlement in the area of present-day Tabasco. As a form of tribute, 20 Indian slaves were presented to the Spaniards. Malinche was amongst them. Her unique knowledge of Nahuatl, the Aztec language, as well as Mayan dialects, came to the attention of Cortés. Another translator was already a part of Cortés' entourage, a Spanish priest who had been imprisoned by the Mayans for several years and had learned their language.
The representatives of Montezuma would speak Nahuatl with Malinche, who in turn would translate their words into Mayan for the priest. The priest would then translate the Mayan into Spanish, for the benefit of Cortés.
However, before long, Malinche learned Spanish and became the direct interpreter for Cortés.
Cortés utilized Malinche's linguistic abilities to his advantage in his negotiations with the Aztec Empire. Indeed, Malinche arranged and mediated the introductions and meetings between Montezuma and Cortés.
Malinche became more than just an interpreter for Cortés. Christened with her new name of Dona Marina, she became the Spaniard's mistress and in 1522, bore him a son named Don Martin Cortés.
Their child represents one of the first known Mestizos, an individual whose blood is a mixture of European and indigenous American. However, after the affair between Cortés and Malinche came to an end, she married another Spaniard named Juan Jaramillo. Their union produced a daughter, Maria Jaramillo.
Malinche's ability to communicate and negotiate with various tribes allowed the Spanish to march through territories without being attacked. They picked up converts along the way. Many indigenous people joined Cortés and fought by his side.
Those tribes were motivated to join the Spanish, in hope of defeating their long-standing enemy, the Aztecs. This brutal and mighty empire had subjugated them for far too long.
Cortés wrote in a letter: “After God, we owe the conquest of New Spain to Doña Marina.”
Today, in Mexico a derogatory name to call someone is a "malinchista", a person who turns their back on their own culture.
Interestingly enough, some do not consider Malinche a traitor. Some view her as a heroine, helping spread the word of Christianity.
For others, she was a woman in love, who had no choice but to follow her heart and protect her beloved Cortés. Malinche is viewed as well with honor by those who consider her one of the first "mothers" of the Mestizo race.
Regardless of how one perceives Malinche, this interpreter forever changed the course of Mexico's destiny.
Sources: Mexonline; Translation_blog; Wikipedia.
