Contemporary Kollas speak Aymara, understanding also Quechua
Aymara-Quechua bilinguism is common in the Andean area. This bilinguism has its origin in the Inca conquest that introduced groups of mitimaes, or forced workers, who introduced the Quechua language in the Kolla region.
The Inca conquest explains the existence of a chiefdom composed by several nations where the Aymara, Quechua and Puquina language were spoken.
Moreover, both languages share an « extraordinary structural isomorphism (phonologic, morphologic, and syntactic and semantic) concerning the Quechua and Aymara grammar,» as suggested by Cerrón-Palominos.
Based on these analogies, the term Quechuamara has been suggested for designating both languages.
As with other indigenous people, Spanish is commonly used language in the context of the larger society and in every activity beyond the local community.