Quechua is the language of the Indian people of South America, belonging to the linguistic group of the same name. It is the largest in the number of carriers in both Americas. It was considered the official language of the Chincha state before the colonization of South America, after - the Tauantinsuyu state. At present, over 14 million people speak Quechua in South America. It is sometimes used in the Amazon as a lingua franca. In Argentina, Ecuador and Bolivia is referred to as "kichua."The modern version of literary Quechua uses writing, which is based on the Spanish version of the Latin alphabet and a clear set of rules. It is taught in schools, but not everywhere. Catholic missionaries resorted to the Quechua language to convert the South American Indians to Christianity.According to SIL classification, Quechua dialects are considered different languages. Cuscan Quechua is considered the literary linguistic norm.History and Origin
Quechua, together with Sura and Saymara, are sometimes combined into one language group, "Kechumara." Most of the vocabulary in them is identical, there are matches in the grammar, but it is impossible to reconstruct a common ancestor based on these data. Quechua and Aymara belong to the Araucan linguistic group of the Andean family, they are similar to the Arawak and Tupi-Guarani and are part of the Amerindian macro-family.
Quechua before the conquest
The initial area of Quechua was relatively small and approximately extended to the Kuso Valley and some areas on the map of Bolivia, coinciding with the area of one of the dialects. According to one theory, the language began to spread from an ancient city in central Peru - Caral.
The Incas, who came from the southeast and spoke kapak simi, appreciated the combination of ease of learning and the richness of the Quechua language, making it state in their empire. The Chincha culture created a wide trading network in the territory of the Inca Empire, and the use of Quechua in trading operations contributed to its rapid spread in the state. This allowed the language to soon supplant other dialects, even in remote areas, for example, in modern Ecuador, where the Inca power has held on for a couple of decades.
Distribution area
According to the information of the Inca Kipukamayoks, the area of distribution of the Quechuan languages and their status were determined by law under Viracocha Inca in the XIV-XV centuries. According to orders, kichua was considered the main one in the whole state due to its lightness and clarity. On the maps of Bolivia and Peru, the distribution area of the “language of the mountain valleys” is marked as the area between Cuzco and Charkasi.
Almost the entire population of Tauantinsuyu by the time the Spanish colonialists appeared, not only knew Quechua, but also considered it their native language (in addition to the official uruipukin and incamiaymar).
1533-1780
Catholic missionaries, leading Christian sermons among the peoples of South America, including the Quechua Indians in Peru, appreciated the possibilities of the language, strengthening its position. The Bible was translated into it, which simplified the spread of the Christian faith.
During the period of Spanish colonization, Quechua retained the status of one of the most important languages of the region. All officials of the Viceroyalty of Peru should have known him; sermons were held at him and state documents were drawn up. Italian historian Giovanni Anello Oliva noted that in the province of Cuzco they speak aymara and kichua, however, in some villages of Peru, languages that are radically different from each other are used.
1781 - mid XX century
The policy on Quechua was sharply changed by the Spanish colonial authorities after the defeat of the uprising of Jose Gabriel Kondorcanca, primarily in order to prevent and suppress the national liberation movements led by the Andes. Public use was prohibited and severely punished. The local aristocracy was almost completely killed, which negatively affected the preservation of the language. For a long time it was considered low prestige and was inherent only to the lower classes.
The situation of Quechua did not change much after the Andean countries gained independence in the 1820s, since for a long time the power was concentrated in the hands of the Creole elite. The teaching of the Quechua language for the people was resumed only in 1938.
Today
The political parties of the Andean countries in the 60s of the XX century, trying to get the support of the masses and being influenced by socialist ideas and the national liberation movement, began to launch programs aimed at restoring the status of Quechua. In May 1975, the language became official in Peru, in August 1977 - in Bolivia. It began to produce television and radio programs, to publish newspapers. They launched several radio stations, including the Catholic Voice of the Andes in Ecuador.
Dialects and distribution
Quechua is traditionally divided into two groups of dialects: Quechua I, aka Quechua B or Waivash, and Quechua II, Quechua A or Anpuna. Due to their strong differences from each other, dialects are often considered different languages.
Quechua I dialects and their distribution range
Dialects of this language group are common in a small area in central Peru: from the southern region of Huninna to the northern region of Ankashna. Including, in the mountain provinces of the regions of Ikai, Lima and Huancavelík and a small enclave near the village of Urpai, located in the southeastern region of La Libertad. This dialect is spoken by almost 2 million people, while it is considered the most conservative language group that has preserved the original linguistic features.
Quechua II dialect groups and their distribution
The area of distribution of these dialects is huge due to the large number of Quechua-speaking Indians. Linguists distinguish several subgroups of dialects, divided into southern and northern branches:
- II-A, or Yunkai. Heterogeneous dialects common in western Peru. They are owned by 66 thousand people. The same group included the dialect of the village of Pakaraos, located in the Ural province of the Lima department, which today, unfortunately, has lost its carriers. The listed dialects are considered intermediate between Quechua I and Quechua II, while the northern dialects are similar to Quechua II and Quechua II-C, and the dialect of the village of Pakaraos is characterized by dialects of Quechua I, since it was surrounded by them. In view of this, some linguists attribute it to this group, although it can be considered a full-fledged branch.
- II-B, or northern chinchai. Dialects of this subgroup are common in northern Peru, Ecuador, the regions of Colombia and some regions of Bolivia. Native speakers - nearly 2.5 million people. The “forest” dialects of the language were strongly influenced by the languages that were in use before the spread and assimilation of Quechua, for example, saparo.
- II-C, or southern chinchai. This is the language spoken in Bolivia, Southern Peru, Chile and Argentina. The number of speakers is more than 8.7 million people. Literary Quechua is based on the dialects of this group, while the vocabulary and phonetics of southern Quechua is tied to aymara.
Quechua dialects are widespread in the mountainous regions of Peru, coastal cities, in particular, in Lima, the capital of the country.
Dialect groups are mutually intelligible only to a limited extent. Holders of southern dialects can understand each other well. The situation with the speakers of the northern subgroup of dialects is almost the same (the exception is “forest” dialects). Mutual understanding is difficult between northern and southern Quechua.
Creole and Pidgin
Quechua became the base for the secret language of Callahuaia, which was used by female healers. In many ways, it was based on the vocabulary of the dead Pukin. In addition, some Crechian Quechua-Spanish languages combine Quechua grammar and Spanish vocabulary.
Writing
For a long time it was believed that the Incas lacked full writing. A similar view was beneficial to the Spanish colonialists, who could impose their moral and cultural values on the indigenous peoples of the Andes. However, there is evidence to prove that the patterns of tokapu on Inca fabrics and ceramics were written. In addition, there were references to the fact that the Incas kept their annals on gold tablets.
Quechua began to be written in the Spanish alphabet after the conquest, however, the significant difference between the phonemic systems of the Spanish language and Quechua led to various problems and inconsistencies. After several reforms - in 1975 and 1985 - the standard alphabet of southern Quechua began to count 28 letters.
Current status
Quechua, like Aymara and Spanish, from the 70s of the XX century gained the status of a state in Bolivia and Peru, since 2008 - in Ecuador along with Spanish and Shuar. According to the constitution of Colombia, Native American languages receive official status in areas of their greatest distribution.