Current language policies in Bolivia are based on ideological assumptions that reflect the language practice of Spanish speakers, rather than sociolinguistic evidence. These assumptions include: that standardization is key to Quechua language revitalization and political empowerment; that etymological criteria are the best guide for elaborating a standard; and that literacy- and school-based functions are the most crucial to Quechua's future. Inasmuch as these assumptions conflict with the language ideologies of Quechua communities, policies' chances for success are diminished. Rather than focusing exclusively on domains where Spanish is dominant, language planners should address language shift in those domains that constitute Quechua's stronghold: the home and the community.