The Linguist

The Linguist 55,1

The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology

Issue link: https://thelinguist.uberflip.com/i/641937

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 15 of 35

16 The Linguist Vol/55 No/1 2016 www.ciol.org.uk As indigenous languages gain respect in Argentina, interpreting needs are growing, says Carla Avenia Koency I n Argentina, there has been a surge in the demand for classes in indigenous language – particularly the most widely spoken ones: Quechua, Guarani, Mapuche and Toba. The Centro Universitario de Idiomas (CUI) has offered courses in the first three since 2006. They started with only 30 students and by 2009 that number had skyrocketed to 258. "We see two types of students," explains Roberto Villarruel, CUI Director, "those who veer towards it as a result of their heritage and family history, and who enrol because of the increasing interest in the culture and language of indigenous communities." Media outlets are increasingly featuring these communities, he adds. From their protests in Ecuador, to the rise of the Aymara in Bolivia alongside indigenous President Evo Morales, and their increasing participation in UNASUR (the Union of South American Nations), indigenous communities have never before been so present in the public eye – and in people's minds. Travel and migration have also played a key factor in the popularisation of these languages. "On the one hand, young people travel across Latin America more and more, which piques their interest in these cultures," says Villarruel. Also, there are those who migrate for work, and bring with them their language and culture. Argentina receives large numbers of Paraguayan and Bolivian immigrants. Morales has elevated 34 indigenous languages to official language status in Bolivia, the most widely spoken of which are Quechua, Guarani and Aymara. Paraguay, on the other hand, has granted official language status only to Guarani. This has cemented the importance of the language considerably, giving free reign to language institutes and language resources, and enabling a vibrant literary scene to blossom. Today, Guarani even has its own academy to rival la Real Academia: Avañe' ẽ Rerekuapavẽ. But it wasn't always like this. The award- winning Paraguayan poet, Cristian David Lopez, admits, "There was a time in which people thought that speaking Guarani was synonymous with ignorance. It was something that country people did, and perceived as antonymous to being educated. I've even seen parents punish their children for speaking Guarani. Surely there's still people who might think that Guarani is worthless, but today Paraguayans are aware that their language is a most valuable treasure." What followed next, was the development of the translation and interpreting domains for indigenous languages. Given the weight of Guarani in the Latin American sphere, the pivotal moment came when Mercosur (the union of Latin America states) made Guarani Voice of the minorities

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Linguist - The Linguist 55,1