Every once in my life I heard of a distant and mysterious country where powerful civilizations of the Incas, Aztecs and Mayans once lived. Peru is one of the largest states in Latin America. By its area, this country is second only to two states - Brazil and Argentina. The common religion in Peru is Roman Catholicism. The capital is the city of Lima. The population is about 32 million people. The main languages are Spanish, Quechua, Aymara. Sometimes English is also used.
Travel to the Inca country: what language should you know?
But what is the official language in Peru - Aymara, Quechua or Spanish? The official languages are the last two - Quechua and Spanish. Aymara is spoken only in Lake Titicaca. Most of the inhabitants of Peru do not speak European foreign languages. Therefore, for those planning a trip to this ancient country, it is good to know at least the basics of the Spanish language. Or take a pocket Russian-Spanish phrasebook with you.
Spanish to Peru
Spanish conquests in the past have largely influenced the development of the country. In particular, what language prevails in Peru now. Its distribution began in the XV century. In Latin America, Spanish is different from European. Firstly, it differs from the traditional pronunciation. Spanish in Peru resembles the Andalusian accent of official Spanish. This is due to the fact that the inhabitants of Andalusia accounted for about 60% of the total number of Spanish emigrants who settled in South America after its conquest.
Spanish archaisms
Many of the words that are now used by the Peruvians in modern Spanish are considered obsolete. For example, the word pollera (translated as “women's skirt”) is now considered archaism. In modern Spanish, Peru is still in use. Another distinguishing feature of Spanish in Peru is the large number of American words. Local Spanish is also rich in native vocabulary. These words, preserved from local linguistic groups, are usually called "indigenousism." Examples are hamaka (hammock), maiz (corn), tabaco (tobacco), tocayo (namesake), papa (potatoes).
In fact, the Spanish language in Peru spread after Columbus opened the New World. Since that time, the colonization of local territories began, the driving force of which was the thirst for profit of the conquerors. In order to master the new continent as soon as possible, the Spanish king constantly financed new expeditions. After the conquest, the territory of Peru became known as New Castile.
Quechua Group Languages
Along with Spanish , Quechua is also accepted in Peru. In other countries, it is also common - Quechua is spoken in Bolivia, Argentina, Chile and other states. The total number of speakers of this language in South America totals about 8 million. This official language of Peru was once native to Aboriginal people - before the South American lands were captured by Spanish conquistadors. In fact, Quechua is a group of several languages. According to various criteria, linguists distinguish from 2 to 4 dialects.
In order to transfer mail to the empire, the Incas used a special writing system using knots. It was called a bale. The contents of the letter could be understood by the plexus of ropes, their color and the number of knots. In 1560, a dictionary of Quechua, the original language of the country of Peru, was first compiled. The author of the dictionary was Domingo de Santo Thomas. Church hymns and the basics of the language were also written in Quechua. Quechua languages are believed to be most closely related to the Aymara dialect. Some linguists unite them in two large families - Kechumara. Others suggest that the similarities between the two languages are due to their territorial proximity.
Historically, the Inca language was a means of national identity for the inhabitants of the Andes, and for the Spanish conquerors - a means of communication with the local population. Quechua is now a fairly well-studied and well-documented language. It has spelling standards and is taught at school. Some borrowings also went from the ancient language of Peru into Russian: for example, these are the words “coca” (evergreen shrub in the Andes), “cougar”, “lama”.
Quechua people
The local tribe living in a vast territory also has the same name. Now representatives of the Quechua people live in the following countries: Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile and northwestern Argentina. The writing of this nation is based on the Latin alphabet. Quechua people are carriers of a unique high culture. Their main occupations are farming, spinning, weaving, jewelry making, wood carving, and cattle breeding. Interestingly, Quechua living in the valleys usually build houses not far from each other. Mountain dwellers live apart. Most Quechua go barefoot, only occasionally putting on sandals.
Beliefs of amazing people
Among the representatives of Quechua, you can still meet those who practice shamanism and paganism. Indians are very friendly to tourists. They can make a talisman or love potion. However, they are somewhat suspicious of overweight people. You should not be offended by this - one unusual belief is accepted among Quechua. Indians believe in the existence of a spirit called Likichiri. This otherworldly creature, according to their belief, attacks people during sleep and sucks out subcutaneous fat from their bodies. The more complete a person is, the greater the chance that the Likichiri will attack him. Therefore, when a Quechua is greeted by an obese person, they fear that the Likichiri might be near him. However, they can also worry in the company of strangers with the usual physique - all of a sudden and a terrible werewolf is hidden under their appearance?
These beliefs inspire a lot of fear in the Inca’s heirs: they try not to stay at home alone and carefully close the windows. In order not to attract evil spirits, representatives of this people try not to overeat and monitor weight. Quechua cuisine is exotic. For example, they prepare dishes from guinea pigs - those very pets familiar to us. Not every tourist agrees to try it.
Quechua can also offer other dishes. But with all their hospitality, they will observe if their guest is overeating. Therefore, no matter how delicious the treat, tourists are better off not overeating in the company of the Indians.
A bit about the Inca state
The Inca people began their formation around the 11th century on the territory of the Andes. The Incas were able to build the most influential empire in the XIV - XV century. Their main occupation was subsistence farming. The first Europeans were surprised at the wealth of this great empire. More and more rumors spread that the unusually rich city of Eldorado was located on the territory of the state. Because of this, Europeans, driven by thirst for profit, began to come here.
Of great importance in the life of the Incas was religion. Different beliefs have been adopted in various areas of the state. It is known that the Incas worshiped totems. The cult of ancestors was also extremely common. It was believed that those who went to the other world can affect productivity, as well as contribute to luck. The Incas built their homes from various types of stone - basalt, limestone, and diorite. Inca houses were modest, they did not have stoves.
Aymara language
What language is spoken in Peru besides Spanish and Quechua? Another name for the Aimaran language family is khaki. In total, 7 dialects are reckoned among the languages of Aymara, which some scholars also consider as separate languages. The aymara language is most similar to the Bolivian dialect of Quechua and Cuzco-Quechua. Native speakers are about 2 million people. Also, this dialect is considered official in Bolivia. Speakers of two and three languages are very common among native speakers: Aymara, Quechua and Spanish.
The people of Aymara: features of world perception
Aymara is not only the name of the language. This is the name of the people who also live in the Andes. Representatives of the people also inhabit the western part of Bolivia, the northern regions of Chile, southern Peru. The traditional occupations of the Aymara tribe are agriculture, metallurgy, the manufacture of boats, and the cultivation of coca plants.
Among the representatives of the Aymara people, a very unusual concept of time perception has been adopted. Western man has a familiar projection - it assumes that the future is in front, and the past, respectively - behind. However, in the unusual language of Aymara, the opposite is true. The word, which denotes the past, is also used to denote the position “in front”. Proof of this concept is also a gesture of local residents - in particular, the elderly. However, many of the modern Hispanic aymara use the concepts familiar to Westerners. This suggests a reorientation of the way of thinking of young representatives of Aymara.