Love Language, or Yolotl Tlahtoa, is a public artwork by David Ocelotl Garcia that explores the power, beauty, and responsibility of expression. Inspired by the Nahuatl language and the visual traditions of Latin, Chicano, Mexicano, Native American, and Indigenous cultures, the work celebrates the many ways our words, ideas, and aspirations shape both personal identity and the communities around us.

The sculpture takes the form of a butterfly filled with hearts, mouths, speech scrolls, and patterns drawn from cultures around the world. Together, these symbols represent the voices of students and the movement of ideas from one person to another. The imagery also creates space for reflection on social and environmental concerns, self-expression, and the importance of speaking with intention while listening with curiosity.

Fabricated from aluminum and stainless steel, the 40-foot-long installation stretches across a prominent pedestrian route near Meriam Library at Chico State. Its scale and layered imagery create a strong visual landmark while inviting viewers to consider how language can connect people, carry meaning, and help turn goals and dreams into action.