The translation of native languages such as Quechua is a hard task that not only involves an effort of documentation but also of understanding the worldview present in the translation process
Peru not only has a great biodiversity that makes us unique in the world, but also a great linguistic and cultural richness, which is reflected in the 47 native languages that are spoken in our regions by millions of Peruvians.
Peru is a multicultural and multilingual country with 47 native languages
The indigenous languages that have official alphabets are Quechua, Matsigenka, Harakbut, Ese Eja, Shipibo, Ashaninka, Aymara, Yine, Kakataibo, Kandozi-Chapra, Awajún, Jaqaru, Shawi, Yanesha, Nomatsigenga, cashinahua, wampis, sharanahua, secoya, achuar, murui-muinani, kakinte, matsés, ikitu, shiwilu, madija, kukama kukamiria, maijiki, bora, yagua, kapanawa, urarina, amahuaca, yaminahua, ocaina, nanti, arabela and ticuna.
These languages will soon be joined by others whose alphabets are in the process of being standardized by the Ministry of Education of Peru, such as Nahua and Nanti, and other languages that are in the process of being diagnosed: Iconahua, Muniche, Iñapari, Taushiro, Chamicuro, Resígaro and Omagua.
LANGUAGES AND CULTURAL IDENTITY
Each of these languages is part of the identity of the people and groups that speak them. Therefore, the recognition of this diversity and the official character of these languages also allows the preservation of what is implicit in them, the past of the speaking groups, their stories, traditions, their songs, in short, the cultural richness of Peru.
Languages are part of the cultural identity of peoples
In this sense, for more than a decade the Ministry of Culture has dedicated an important part of its work, on the basis of various policies, to recovering and formalising the original languages, in a joint process with the Ministry of Education. This is then applied by encouraging people from the different native peoples of Peru to be served in their own language by State entities and also to acquire knowledge of their culture.
This is an intercultural approach that allows the Peruvian State to improve its communication with the citizens, with the speakers of these languages by training public servants to serve this population efficiently.
TRANSLATION OF NATIVE LANGUAGES: THE GREAT CHALLENGE
This complex multicultural and multilingual reality show a great challenge for those who are dedicated to translating from an original language to Spanish or vice versa without distorting the messages, and respecting the official writing rules of both languages.
Thus, the translator's work involves various actions, such as: gathering the necessary information on the subject to be translated, according to context and available sources. The translator must also respect the grammatical rules of the language, as well as the writing rules of its official alphabet and the linguistic register appropriate to the type of text.
Likewise, the translator, in his daily work, must previously research from the client's information, obtaining bibliographic, digital and/or audiovisual documentation if necessary. Also, the translator must take into account the recurrent terms and their equivalents established in a bilingual glossary, according to the type of document and the context.
The main characteristics of a translator are: mastery of the language, grammar and variants of the languages to be interpreted. The translator must be responsible and very confident in the application of the materials (bibliographic, periodicals, among others). Also, must be orderly in the development of the work; and have interest and responsibility in the solution of any problem that may arise in the translation process.
Finally, a native language translator must see each translation process as an opportunity to discover new aspects within the language that the translator masters, which also contributes to promoting, disseminating, and giving validity to the language inherited from his or her parents and ancestors.
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