Did you know that in Peru, due to its national multiculturalism, there are 48 indigenous languages?
That's right, in Peru, there are four indigenous Andean languages and 44 indigenous Amazonian languages, all with an official alphabet as detailed by the Peruvian news portal Andina. Quechua stands out as one of the most widely spoken languages in the country, after Spanish, followed by Aymara. However, according to the National Census carried out in Peru in 2017, only 4 million 472 thousand 700 people have one of the 48 native languages as their mother tongue.
What is an indigenous language?
It is a language that was used before the spread of the Spanish language, which is preserved and used to date in the national territory.
Indigenous languages at risk?
Peru has registered the disappearance of 37 indigenous languages such as Cholón, Culli, Puquina, Palta, Muchik, among others.
According to the Ministry of Education, at present, seven of the 48 native languages are in a critical situation because they have few speakers. Among the most serious are the Iñapari, which only has four members of its community who speak the language fluently, as well as the Taushiro, which only has one speaker.
Importance of the recognition of these languages:
According to the Ministry of Culture, it allows the development of educational materials in all areas and grades for children and adolescents of indigenous peoples. Likewise, it allows promoting the educational development of languages through bilingual intercultural education, as well as improving the quality of life of indigenous people by participating in the development of their local and regional community.
Every May 27th, the Day of Indigenous Languages in Peru is celebrated as an opportunity to develop actions of visibility, recognition, awareness, advocacy, and mobilization on diversity. The original languages represent a collective identity and a different way of conceiving and describing reality.
This year Peru celebrated 200 years of independence, which is why it was called the "Bicentennial Year of Peru: 200 years of Independence", made official by the Supreme Decree No. 001-2021. Here, some translations in some of the original languages celebrating the bicentennial year.
Aimara:
Perú Suyuna Paya Pataka Marapa: paya pataka t’aqwaqtawi maranaka
Awajún:
Doscientos Mijan Perunum Ejeji: agkanmaega pujamu
Matsigenka:
Shiriagarini apitetara oshiriagagitetara oga peruku: 200 oshiriagakotaka ashi apuntaganira
Quechua chanka:
Perú suyunchikpa Iskay Pachak Watan: iskay pachak watañam qispisqanmanta karun
Shipibo-konibo:
Perúkan Rabe Pacha Baritia: Rabe Pacha baritia xabakata
Yanesha:
Char epxharrochxharra pocharña yanetser Perú: meten 200 char allempotheñ yoksherra
Resources: andina.pe / busquedas.elperuano.pe / Ministerio de Cultura / Minedu / ums.minedu.gob.pe / Lenguas originales del Peru