The current situation in Ancash as a reflection of the history of the Peruvian language policy

Abstract

The discussion of the standardization of Quechua and a single orthography began in colonial times and continues today. This paper presents the current linguistic situation in Ancash as a reflection of the history of language policy in Peru. Within this view, we offer a chronology of the most important stages of the history of the Quechua language from the colonial period to the present day, with emphasis on intercultural bilingual education in Ancash. Particular importance is given to the difference in attitude between the Ministry of Education and the Christian association AWI (financed by the Summer Institute of Linguistics). Both agree that linguistic issues are closely related to issues of ethnic identity. And both want Quechua speakers not to abandon their own language for Spanish. However, the ways they intend to reach this common goal are different.