Indigenous Focus: Positive News for Indigenous Languages in Chile

In January of this year, we reported on a major study undertaken in Chile reporting that less than 11 percent of indigenous people in Chile can both speak and understand their native languages. The study raised some serious concerns about whether Chile’s indigenous languages are facing extinction in the near future. In addition, we have written on multiple occasions about efforts being taken to improve the situation of indigenous languages within the country, and this week brought some more positive news.

The first piece of good news comes from Easter Island. This week it was reported that the number of pre-kindergarden children on Easter Island who are learning the Rapa Nui language increased by more than 50 percent this year. The numerical improvement is associated with an initiative undertaken by CONADI (Chile’s Indigenous development corporation), JUNJI (the department that oversees pre-school and kindergardens througout Chile) and the municipal government on Easter Island. The initiative developed software and instituted a curriculum to help young children improve their understanding of their native language and culture. It is hoped that similar programs can be used throughout Chile with similar levels of success.

In another piece of news related to JUNJI, children from six different kindergardens had the opportunity to produce a CD in Mapuzungun – the Mapuche language. The disc contained 17 tracks. These tracks included both songs and poems in Mapuzungun. The disc was created to fill a void in intercultural education, namely the lack of children’s music in Mapuzungun. Although the disc will not be released publicly, copies of it will be provided to kindergardens throughout the country as part of the intercultural efforts being made by JUNJI.

Finally, in a press release dated May 24, CONADI indicated that a wedding was officiated in Mapuzungun for only the second time in Chilean history. The Minister of Social Development, as well as other government officials, attended the wedding.

Until recently, such ceremonies were not possible in Chile, but the government has begun a program of training certain civil registry officers in Mapuzungun so that indigenous culture may take a larger role in future weddings. The government’s efforts are expected to expand beyond Mapuzungun and eventually include Aymara, Quechua, and Rapa Nui as well.

There is certainly a long way to go to protect indigenous languages in Chile and throughout the world. However, these pieces of news are signs that efforts to protect and restore indigenous languages can produce positive results.