Meaning “sun”, you’ll see many ancient ruins with this name, as well as new establishments that are retaining the heritage. Inti: A culture connected to nature, it’s no wonder this is one of the most common Quechua words you’ll see in the Andes. Here are some popular Quechua words you’ll notice that continue to be used in mainstream Andean culture, even by Spanish speakers. On any trip to an Andean town like Cusco, Peru (the center of the Inca Empire), you can be sure to see some Quechua throughout town (it is spoken by 64% of the district’s residents). Despite its decline, however, there are current efforts to help preserve the language and promote education in Quechua throughout these countries. ![]() Spanish had already infiltrated the country, and Quechua became more and more restricted to isolated rural areas.Ĭurrently, Quechua has the status of an official language in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, but its use throughout each country is not as widespread as Spanish (though it remains dominant in the Central Andes). Only after Peru gained independence from Spain in the 19th century did Quechua see a short-lived revival. The use of Quechua declined as Spanish was imposed during colonization. The new Spanish empire banned administrative and religious use of the language, including “loyal” pro-Catholic texts. In the late 18th century, however, all official use of Quechua was banned in response to the Tupac Amaru II rebellion. The Roman Catholic Church adopted Quechua as the language of evangelization, which led missionaries to use and spread it. Its role changed as Spanish was introduced, but it continued to be used as the “general language”, and as a means of communication between the Spanish and indigenous population. The language prevailed as the main language until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. In each region, different dialects developed, largely influenced by other pre-existing local languages. Many believe Quechua to be the Inca language – and indeed it was – but in fact Quechua was already in wide use across the ranges of the central Andes long before the expansion of the Inca Empire 600 years ago.ĭuring the rule of the Inca Empire, Quechua was chosen as their official language. Quechua has over 8 million native speakers, and though it is written using the Latin writing system, it remains primarily a spoken language. It is native to the central Andes region in Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile and Argentina, and is the official language of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador (along with Spanish). ![]() Somewhere between 8 and 10 million individuals throughout the Central Andes region of South America currently use Quechua as their primary language, and it is the most widely spoken family language of the indigenous peoples of the Americas.įor those interested in learning more about this living remnant of the ancient Incan Empire, read on for its fascinating history, and some of the most popular words that you’ll see and hear throughout the region! What is Quechua?Īlso known as runa simi (the “people’s language”), Quechua is actually a family of 46 languages derived from a common ancestral language. ![]() But Spanish is just one of several languages you’ll find in this region, Quechua being the second largest. When asked what language these six countries share in common, most will immediately answer: Spanish. Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile and Argentina.
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