An overview of Mapuzugun writing system proposals, current usage, and political implications

Abstract

The Mapuche language is considered “definitely endangered” by UNESCO (Moseley 2010). However, it is still spoken today in Chile and Argentina by the Mapuche people. In addition to the L1 speakers in these regions, young people are learning and teaching the language as an effort to revitalize the language. This paper provides an overview of eight proposals for a Mapuche writing system and how they attempt to find a balance between univocality, limiting confusion for L1 Spanish speakers, and respecting diverse language ideologies. Based on semi-structured interviews with ten Mapuzugun language revitalization activists living in the Bíobío and Araucanía regions of Chile, this paper provides an overview of Mapuzugun writing system proposals and language policies, highlighting the priorities, goals, and ideologies of language activists. Most participants did not believe that any writing system was inherently more favorable than the others. However, opinions ranged from encouraging one standard writing system to vehemently rejecting standardization. Despite these differences of opinion, they all justified their stances on the belief that their strategy (standardization or not) would do more to increase the number of Mapuzugun speakers and thus, be more effective in terms of achieving their shared vision of language revitalization and maintenance.