Activism, Linguistic Rights and Ideologies: Translation and Interpretation in Native Languages in Peru

Abstract

Since 2012, the Peruvian state has been developing and delivering training courses in translation and interpreting for speakers of indigenous languages. This programme is a move in the direction of a future formalised ‘translation policy’ in favour of indigenous peoples’ rights, the first of its kind to have arisen in the countries of the Andean region, and as such is worthy of documentation and analysis. In this article, we will focus on two aspects of the trainees’ experience of this process. Firstly, we identify and characterise the form of activism that is taking root among the trainees in favour of indigenous peoples’ linguistic and social rights. Secondly, we examine some of the trainees’ discourses and practices in relation to the exercise of translation and interpreting.