López, José Inés

Authors

1 of 2

Document Type

Audio

Publication Date

1973

Comments

(Last addition, November 12, 2025) Conversation about his English language learning experiences as a young adult and head of the family. Don José states that Miguel Córdova helped him to learn English by using menus to order food in restaurants as working out of state. Conversation about English language learning experiences while working in Durango. It was hard for him not knowing how to speak English to get a better job. He recognized the value of knowing how to speak English and education in English for his children so they don't struggle with the language: 'para que no pasen trabajos como los pasé yo, porque yo pasé muchos trabajos, munchos'. Antes no habían oportunidades para aprender el inglés. Los tiempos han cambiado: people have abandoned the agricultural life. In the past people grew diverse crops such as wheat, beans, garbanzo, lentils. Men used to sow the crops then they migrated to Colorado for seasonal work. Women stayed and took care of the crops until men returned for the harvest. Wheat was very abundantly gathered in Truchas. People used to trade wheat for other products. There was no transportation and the village were isolated, so people married close relatives, matrimonios entre primos. People used to help each other with the ranch chores. He thinks that the high prices of food or a great depression will likely lead to a civil war and chaos.

Recommended Citation

Interview of Don José Inés López, 1973, Alejandro López Papers (MSS 943), Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections, University Libraries, University of New Mexico