The map of indigenous languages ​​in Argentina | I …

The University Language Center (CUI) will present the "Native Languages ​​in the Present" card, which represents the languages ​​still spoken and those being salvaged in Argentina. The presentation will take place on the occasion of the National Aboriginal Languages ​​Conference where Aboriginal language linguists, students, researchers, intellectuals and authorities will speak on Wednesday and Thursday about Aboriginal languages, art, education and politics. public.

The congress is being held "in commemoration of the International Year of Indigenous Languages," declared by the United Nations (UN) in January, said CUI Director Roberto Villarruel.

"The task is to break the common sense that in Argentina there is a homogeneity in the social field. We want to make visible that the presence of the peoples of origin, their culture and their language is very valuable, that there are many speakers and that it has to do with the history and the present of Argentina, "badured Villarruel to this means.

"In accordance with the UN declaration, the indigenous language teachers who work at the CUI have decided to do something, so we have designed this congress," he said. Page | 12 Daniel Huircapán, teacher of Günün in Yajüch in the institution. The objective of these days, which will be held at the headquarters of the CUI, located in Junín 222, is to "enhance these languages, revitalize them and try to protect existing losses".

During the congress, the map "Indigenous languages ​​in the present" will be presented, which reports on the current state of these languages ​​in the Argentine territory. This graphic – which can also be accessed by scanning a QR code with the mobile phone – has a list 36 languages and indicates who speak them and where are they located. In addition, each language has a reference that indicates who have active speakers, who do not have any, and those who are in a period of revitalization.

According to Huircapán, CUI teachers decided to prepare this map to "present the number of real languages ​​of Argentina". "Officially, they always mark 12, 14 or, the most generous, 16. It is not only these languages, it is necessary to count those that are no longer spoken," he said.

A case of revitalization

On the map, the Günün at Yajüch, spoken by tehuelches, pampas and querandíes in provinces such as Chubut, Rio Negro, Buenos Aires and Córdoba, among other provinces, it appears as one of the languages ​​being revitalized. Huircapán said the rescue process began in 2007 with the search for "songs, language, stories and anything that could be saved from language and culture".

Huircapán is the author of the book "Speak Günün in Yájüch, the language of Günün a küna", which is part of a series of publications that save the language through documents and "the rescue itself of grandparents who speak ". "Our language It is officially off, but it is not the case, it is being revitalized. There are still stakeholders and people who take it and do it themselves, "he said.

"(The Günun küna who live in different provinces) we joined the work and we came to what is the publication of the last book, which is the definition of the grammar of our language – said Huircapán – a body of words. is formed, which are not uncommon, and that can revitalize a language that is not extinguished but invisible. "

The congress will address not only grammar, but also, Huircapán said, "existing idiomatic processes and the use of languages ​​in art, law and the manifestation of the sacred". According to Villarruel, the meeting seeks, in the language "to address cultural issues in general terms", such as the worldview that each indigenous people supports.

For Huircapán, this is an opportunity to show "what are we doing to save the language". "We want that these experiences serve as other brothers to do the same or give them the impetus to start working in this direction – said the CUI teacher -. We want to show experiences, people experiences and processes in progress with languages, all the people who work on these issues and so protect them from anonymity and give them a face. "

Report: Ludmila Ferrer.