Language Issue

New paths in the revitalization of the Mapuche language

CRITICAL PAPER - Francisca Winter

Introduction

The native languages in Chile are in a 'situation of resistance' due to the marginalization and poverty of its population. The indigenous population has tended to seek economic integration to survive, abandoning their symbols of identity, including their language

Introduction

In an effort to revitalize native languages, in 1996, the Ministry of Education launched the Programa de Educación Intercultural Bilingüe or PEIB [Bilingual Intercultural Education Program].

Documents review

Online Mapuche language class

Reseacrh Article

Official program

This text establishes the objectives, evolution, and challenges of implementing the PEIB.

An online class sponsored by the MOCEN Collective, which focuses on formal elements of the Mapuche language.

This article analyzes the attempts to revitalize Mapudungun through the PEIB.

- Functional view of language - Clear political position: role of the State in the loss of native languages - 'Linguistic hospitality' approach Limitations: "PEIB is still far from achieving a deep linguistic immersion" (Lubies et al., 2013)

- Formal view of language - Writing as a tool for the preservation and dissemination of the language - ‘Cognitive justice’ - Decolonizing perspective: enhances the identity of a language silenced and damaged by the dominant culture

- Functional view of language - Authors argue that the national education system has perpetuated the delegitimization and marginalization of Mapudungun. - An 'altero-reflexivity' position, identify how language represent power structures

the revitalization of the Mapuche language must be conceived as a social and cultural practice, with a strong identity charge

Conclusions

Efforts to recover a language transcend the linguistic context; they encompass the social, cultural and psychological well-being of communities and their survival.

Questions?

Thank you!