Final answer:
Malinalli, also known as La Malinche or Doña Marina, played a pivotal role as a translator for Hernán Cortés, aiding in his communications with Moctezuma II during the conquest of Mesoamerica.
Step-by-step explanation:
Malinalli, also known as La Malinche or Doña Marina, played a significant role in the conquest of Mesoamerica by the Spanish. She acted as a translator for Hernán Cortés, aiding in his communications with Moctezuma II, the Aztec emperor.
While Malinalli is often seen as a traitor for assisting the conquistadors, she is also viewed as an influential figure who rose from slavery to become a powerful woman. Her relationship with Cortés resulted in the birth of one of the first mestizos, Martín, who was of mixed indigenous American and European descent.
The perception of Malinalli's loyalty to the Spanish depends on one's perspective. Some see her as a traitor for helping the Spanish conquer the Aztecs, while others view her as a victim of European expansion. However, her role as a translator was crucial to Cortés and without her, he may not have been as successful in destabilizing the Aztec Empire.