runa simi
November 4, 2019 6:22 AM   Subscribe

Student in Peru makes history by writing thesis in the Incas’ language

Scholars say it is the first time in the university’s 468-year history that a student has written and defended a thesis (answering questions from examiners) entirely in the native language – even though it is the most widely spoken indigenous tongue in South America, used by about 8 million people, half of them in Peru.

posted by poffin boffin (5 comments total) 33 users marked this as a favorite
 
The Runa Simi Wikipedia.
posted by ocschwar at 7:03 AM on November 4, 2019 [3 favorites]


This is great. Thanks!

I'm also looking forward to the day when people also defend dissertations in subjects that don't specifically involve indigenous languages in indigenous languages. (Not that theses that involve indigenous languages aren't even more important and well worth celebrating. Just that that seems like the next natural milestone.)
posted by eotvos at 7:53 AM on November 4, 2019 [4 favorites]


Beginning her presentation with a traditional thanksgiving ceremony using coca leaves and the corn-made alcoholic drink chicha, she presented her study titled Yawar Para, or blood rain.

Baller.
posted by Foci for Analysis at 8:40 AM on November 4, 2019 [8 favorites]


I saw other articles on her a few days ago. I sent them to a Peruvian friend who grew up speaking both Quechua and Spanish. He was recruited to provide the Kechua/Quechua greeting on the Voyager Golden Record.
posted by mareli at 9:26 AM on November 4, 2019 [9 favorites]


¡Allin willay! Tawa pachak watakuna, dimas unanmi. Kay warmiqa yanapanmi ayllupaqwan simapaqwan. Ñawpaq kan, manam wamaq kanqachu.
posted by zompist at 1:16 PM on November 4, 2019 [5 favorites]


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