Some interesting history about New–Mexicans in the United States
"The Spanish we speak in New Mexico is recognized by linguists as one of the most unique dialects in the world, often referred to as Traditional New Mexican Spanish. Because of our deep roots and centuries of geographic isolation, our way of speaking preserved the "archaic" sounds of the 16th and 17th centuries— the language of the original colonists— that eventually faded away in Spain and Mexico City."
"But what truly makes our dialect special is its incredible mix of influences. While many think our local words come primarily from the Pueblo languages, linguists have found that the biggest indigenous influence actually came from Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs. When the early settlers moved north, they brought over 100 everyday Nahuatl terms with them. This is why we say chapulín instead of the standard Spanish saltamontes for grasshopper, or guajolote for turkey."
"Even our local terms like bandeja (bowl or tray) or the way we refer to firewood as la leña carry the specific weight of our regional experience. We also kept old grammatical forms like "seigo" for "soy" (I am) or "haiga" for "haya," which were common in the era of Cervantes but are now considered unique markers of the Rio Arriba and Rio Abajo identity."
"This language isn't just a way to communicate; it’s a living map of our history. Every time we use these specific words, we are connecting back through the generations, keeping a 400–year–old tradition alive in our kitchens, our fields, and our stories."
Sources:
"A Panorama of Traditional New Mexican Spanish" by Bills and Vigil
"A Dictionary of New Mexico and Southern Colorado Spanish" by Rubén Cobos
Harvard University Observatory on the Spanish Language in the United States