Bolivia’s lower house Chamber of Deputies has approved a measure calling for incorporation of indigenous languages into the educational system. Warning that “every langauge represents a unique vision of the world,” UNESCO recently found that 35 indigenous languages in Bolivia are in danger of extinction. The measure, Supreme Decree 25894, recognizes as official languages the indigenous tongues of Aymará, Baure, Besiro, Canichama, Cavineño, Cayubaba. Chácobo, Chimán, Ese Ejja, Guaraní, Guarasuwe, Guarayu, Itonoma, Leco, Machineri, Mojeño, Trinitario, Mojeño Ignaciano, More Mostén, Movida, Pacawara, Quechua, Reyesano, Sirionó, Tacana, Tapiete, Toromona, Uru Chipaya, Weenhayek, Yaminawa, Auki and Yuracaré. (La Epoca, Bolivia, via Quechua Network, May 29)
Similar measures have been proposed for Mexico.
See our last post on Bolivia.
