This paper mainly focuses on indigenous languages, indigenous laws and rights, as well as indigenous education. The first chapter deals with indigenous peoples in Brazil, their geopolitical situation, their languages and linguistic prejudices towards them. The second chapter focuses on how indigenous languages are promoted. This includes how indigenous school- and university programs have evolved in the last centuries and especially in the last decade and how didactic materials have also improved. Finally, a conclusion is drawn, followed-up by the list of sources and declaration about the authenticity of this term paper.
Brazil is, generally speaking, a country of diversity. It is not only known to have the planet’s largest remaining rainforest and wildlife, but it is also known to be rich in culture. It must also be said that it has always been a migration country. Thus, in the last five centuries people from all over the world immigrated to Brazil and brought foreign rituals and traditions with them, which eventually also enriched the Brazilian culture. However, before becoming a Portuguese colony in 1500 Brazil was already inhabited by many indigenous peoples. The majority of them had been extinct through the colonization process, but even after that indigenous people had to struggle and fight for their lives. Sadly, this condition remains to be true nowadays.
Although Portuguese is the official and most spoken language in Brazil, there are also about 215 other languages that are spoken in this country (Müller de Oliveira: 2009; p. 20). Most of those languages are spoken by indigenous peoples. Thus, Brazil can undoubtedly be considered to be multilingual. This vast linguistic variety, however, is neither promoted nor apprehended properly by the Brazilian government, although there are laws to protect it. Paradoxically, Brazil has always had a Monolingualism- oriented policy. Nevertheless, there are increasingly more parties, as for instance the NGO ‘Amazon Watch’ and ‘Survival’ as well as the Brazilian governmental protection agency ‘FUNAI’, which interest it is to protect the indigenous’ cultural diversity, including their languages.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. Indigenous Peoples in Brazil
- 1.1 The Geopolitical Situation of Natives
- 1.2 The Decreasing Diversity of Indigenous Languages
- 1.3 National and International Laws protecting Indigenous (Language) Rights
- 1.4 Monolingualism and Linguistic Prejudice
- 2. The Promotion of Indigenous Languages in Brazil
- 2.1 Facing Education Problems in Indigenous Schools
- 2.2 Governmental Investment in Didactic Materials
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to examine Brazil's language policy, focusing specifically on the situation of indigenous languages and the challenges faced by indigenous communities. It explores the historical context of indigenous populations in Brazil, the legal frameworks designed to protect their rights, and the effectiveness of current policies in promoting indigenous language preservation and education.
- The historical impact of colonization on indigenous populations and their languages.
- The geopolitical situation of indigenous communities in Brazil and land rights issues.
- The legal framework for protecting indigenous languages and cultural diversity.
- Challenges in indigenous education and the promotion of indigenous languages in schools.
- The complexities of Brazil's language policy and its inherent contradictions.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introduction sets the stage by highlighting Brazil's cultural and linguistic diversity, emphasizing its history as a migratory country and the significant presence of indigenous populations and their languages alongside the official Portuguese. It acknowledges the complexity of Brazil's language policy and announces the paper's focus on indigenous languages, rights, and education, outlining the structure of the following chapters. The introduction establishes the paradoxical nature of Brazil's approach – a country with a wealth of languages but a predominantly monolingual policy, creating an immediate tension that frames the subsequent analysis.
1. Indigenous Peoples in Brazil: This chapter provides a historical overview of indigenous populations in Brazil, beginning with estimations of the pre-colonial population and detailing the devastating effects of colonization, including enslavement, violence, and the introduction of new diseases. The chapter uses a map (Depiction 1) to illustrate the pre-colonial geographic distribution of indigenous language families, highlighting their widespread presence across the country. A comparison with the current distribution (implied through discussion of Depiction 2) emphasizes the dramatic reduction in both indigenous populations and their territories. The chapter lays the groundwork for understanding the present-day challenges by showcasing the extensive historical dispossession and violence inflicted upon indigenous communities.
Keywords
Indigenous languages, Brazil, language policy, colonization, indigenous rights, linguistic diversity, monolingualism, plurilingualism, indigenous education, governmental policies, FUNAI, Amazon Watch, Survival International.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Indigenous Languages in Brazil
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper examines Brazil's language policy, focusing on the situation of indigenous languages and the challenges faced by indigenous communities. It explores the historical context, legal frameworks protecting their rights, and the effectiveness of current policies in promoting indigenous language preservation and education.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the historical impact of colonization on indigenous populations and their languages; the geopolitical situation of indigenous communities and land rights; the legal framework for protecting indigenous languages and cultural diversity; challenges in indigenous education and promoting indigenous languages in schools; and the complexities and contradictions within Brazil's language policy.
What is covered in the Introduction chapter?
The introduction highlights Brazil's linguistic diversity, its history as a migratory country, and the significant presence of indigenous languages alongside Portuguese. It acknowledges the complexities of Brazil's language policy, focusing on indigenous languages, rights, and education, and outlines the structure of the following chapters. It establishes the paradoxical nature of Brazil's approach: a country with many languages but a predominantly monolingual policy.
What does Chapter 1, "Indigenous Peoples in Brazil," discuss?
Chapter 1 provides a historical overview of indigenous populations in Brazil, detailing the devastating effects of colonization (enslavement, violence, disease). It uses maps to illustrate the pre-colonial and current geographic distribution of indigenous language families, highlighting the dramatic reduction in both populations and territories. It lays the groundwork for understanding present-day challenges by showing historical dispossession and violence.
What are the objectives of this paper?
The paper aims to examine Brazil's language policy, specifically focusing on the situation of indigenous languages and the challenges faced by indigenous communities. It seeks to understand the historical context, legal frameworks, and the effectiveness of current policies in promoting indigenous language preservation and education.
What are the chapter summaries included in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of the Introduction and Chapter 1 ("Indigenous Peoples in Brazil"). The summary for Chapter 1 details the historical overview of indigenous populations in Brazil, the impact of colonization, and the drastic reduction in indigenous populations and their territories.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Indigenous languages, Brazil, language policy, colonization, indigenous rights, linguistic diversity, monolingualism, plurilingualism, indigenous education, governmental policies, FUNAI, Amazon Watch, Survival International.
What is the structure of the Table of Contents?
The table of contents includes an Introduction, Chapter 1 (Indigenous Peoples in Brazil with sub-sections on geopolitical situation, language diversity decline, legal protections, and monolingualism/prejudice), Chapter 2 (The Promotion of Indigenous Languages in Brazil, with sub-sections on education problems and governmental investment), and a Conclusion.
- Quote paper
- Yasmin Barrachini-Haß (Author), 2012, Indigenous Languages in Brazil. A Country between Monolingualism and Plurilingualism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/320534
