MIT Student Works to Preserve Endangered Keres Language

William Pacheco, a member of the Santo Domingo Pueblo, is using his linguistics studies at MIT to help revitalize his community's threatened language.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 6:42am

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William Pacheco, a graduate student in MIT's Indigenous Languages Initiative, is working to preserve the Keres language, which is spoken by fewer than 10,000 people in seven villages in central New Mexico. Pacheco, who grew up speaking Keres, is using his linguistics studies to develop new teaching methods and resources to help maintain the language's vitality and pass it on to future generations.

Why it matters

The Keres language is considered an endangered language, with a dwindling number of speakers as younger generations increasingly use English. Pacheco's efforts to preserve Keres are part of a broader movement to protect Indigenous languages and cultures that are at risk of being lost due to contact with the wider world.

The details

Keres is a language isolate, meaning it is not related to any other known languages. Each of the seven villages where it is spoken has its own distinct dialect, which can make preservation efforts more challenging. Additionally, Keres is not a written language, relying instead on daily use within the Pueblo communities to maintain its vitality. Pacheco is working to develop new teaching methods, including using Keres as a programming tool, to engage students and help them connect with their elders and cultural traditions.

  • Pacheco began his efforts to preserve Keres after earning an undergraduate degree from the University of New Mexico and working as a K-12 educator.
  • Pacheco sought permission and certification from the tribe to teach the Keres language at the Santa Fe Indian School in 2024.
  • Pacheco enrolled in the MIT Indigenous Languages Initiative in 2024 to further his linguistics studies and develop new approaches to Keres language preservation and education.

The players

William Pacheco

A graduate student in the MIT Indigenous Languages Initiative and a member of the Santo Domingo Pueblo, who is working to preserve the Keres language.

Noam Chomsky

A pioneering linguist and professor emeritus at MIT, whose work in generative linguistics has influenced Pacheco's approach to language preservation.

Adam Albright

An MIT linguist who has served as a supportive mentor to Pacheco in his studies.

Norvin Richards

An MIT linguist who has also provided mentorship and expertise to Pacheco in his efforts to preserve the Keres language.

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What they’re saying

“We speak Keres, a language isolate found in seven villages and communities in central New Mexico. It's an endangered language with fewer than 10,000 speakers.”

— William Pacheco

“There's some complexity to our language that defies traditional instruction. I want to develop the linguistic tools I need to improve my understanding of its construction and how best to teach and preserve it.”

— William Pacheco

“We believe [Keres] is a form of intellectual property, a tradition and artifact that is best served by empowering our people to preserve it.”

— William Pacheco

What’s next

Pacheco plans to continue his studies at MIT, working to develop new teaching methods and resources to help preserve the Keres language. He also aims to create a cohort of community linguists who are deeply invested in Keres' preservation and instruction.

The takeaway

Pacheco's efforts to preserve the Keres language highlight the importance of supporting Indigenous language revitalization efforts and empowering communities to maintain their cultural traditions and linguistic heritage. His work at MIT demonstrates how academic institutions can collaborate with Indigenous scholars to develop innovative approaches to language preservation and education.