Quechua Language Finds New Home At American University

Quechua Language Finds New Home At American University

Quechua is an indigenous language spoken in the South American Andes, especially in Peru and Bolivia. It is also a historic language, once spoken by the famous Inca civilization.

Today, Quechua is believed to be the most commonly spoken indigenous language in the Americas. Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador all count Quechua as one of their official languages, along with Spanish, which most Peruvian call castellano. Additionally, Peru and Bolivia also consider Aymara as one of their official language. According to 2005 government figures, roughly 16 percent of Peru's population speaks Quechua.

Though the Quechua language is relatively unknown outside of South America, one university in the United States is promoting the Quechua language. Ohio State University (OSU), located in the central Ohio city of Columbus, has announced it will teach two Quechua language courses for graduate and undergraduate students this year.

The professor scheduled to teach the classes is from Bolivia and speaks fluent Quechua. According to the professor, about 13 million people speak Quechua today.

The class will focus on the Peruvian dialect of Quechua and the course is only recommended for students with a background in the Spanish language, as the class will be taught from a Spanish base rather than an English one. However, some believe it is easier to learn Quechua than Spanish, since the former does not distinguish between male and female objects, as Spanish does. Ohio State University's rather unusual course offering is partially sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies.

Though Quechua isn't a practical language for most people to learn, it is widely spoken in many of Peru's top tourist destinations, including Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and the Colca Canyon. Many indigenous people who live in these areas also speak Spanish, but knowledge of Quechua would be helpful for those who truly want to assimilate and understand local, as well as ancient, culture.

Additionally, when visiting Peru, there are tourism options of staying a night in a local, traditional home. This is common in the Colca Canyon and around Lake Titicaca. Being able to speak some of the traditional language would be a treat both for the guest and for the host family. As Peru becomes more interconnected thanks to technology and infrastructure improvements, some traditional ways of life including the common usage of the Quechua Aymara languages is something many village elders worry about.

A few Quechua words that have made their way into common English vocabulary include the words llama, puma, and jerky.

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