University of São Paulo shows that studying indigenous languages ​​helps preserve the culture of indigenous peoples

In Brazil, all indigenous languages ​​are at some risk of extinction. The country has the third highest number of endangered languages, according to the World Atlas of Languages, prepared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). For this reason, the Study Group on Indigenous Languages ​​(Geli), from the Faculty of Philosophy, Letters and Human Sciences at USP, strives to preserve the remaining languages ​​through linguistic research. “Currently, the danger of languages ​​being lost is very great, due to the physical threat itself. There was pressure from the last government in favor of the invasion of indigenous lands, but we try to help with education and revitalization projects”, says Luciana Storto, coordinator of the group.

The group studies languages ​​such as Wayoro, Juruna, Karib, Kaapor, in addition to supervising works in Tukano, Makuna and Tuyuka, and doctoral theses in Sanömá, a language of the Yanomami family. Luciana, who has been working at Geli for 20 years, works mainly on the description and analysis of karitiana, from the Tupi family. She points out that the current situation makes the work of the group difficult, due to the vulnerability of indigenous territories: “If we go there to do research, we could be in danger, because we are witnesses of what is happening”.

Dialoguing with the indigenous communities is essential for the group, says Luciana, since one of the objectives of the studies is to meet the needs of the people, for the benefit of the preservation of the culture. “If they want teaching materials, revitalization, a mother tongue teaching spelling program, we do it,” she points out. The researcher also points out that linguists should not impose their work on communities — on the contrary, the priority will always be intercultural contact and exchange.


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In our group, we always support indigenous peoples through the study of language, culture and documentation of their traditions”

Studying languages ​​and recognizing a culture
The USP group’s research is carried out in a broad way, ranging from bibliographic studies in libraries and collections to data collection and fieldwork with speakers. They seek to record the current state of the languages, in order to document the historical moments and traditions of the dialects of each one of them. The importance of this work of linguistic study gains even greater dimension in the Latin American context, which is one of the least studied areas in the world, points out Luciana.

According to her, the native languages ​​of the continent are the least known in the world. Therefore, studying them is a way of inserting the territory in the dynamics of international linguistics. “With the studies, we introduced these languages ​​into the world literature on linguistics. And then everything that is said about the functioning of human languages ​​will have the participation of the languages ​​of South America as well”, highlights the coordinator of Geli.


Linguistic changes throughout Latin American history are also covered by the group’s studies. Professor Thomas Finbow, from the Department of Linguistics at FFLCH-USP and a member of Geli, helps to unravel the history of indigenous languages. His studies, which start from the diachronic analysis of languages, aim to demonstrate the importance of general languages ​​in the constitution of Brazilian Portuguese and to understand them from a historical point of view. At the moment, Finbow is working on reconstructing a lexicon of the Arikém family.

Beyond the academic world
“Linguistic research is essential for the preservation and survival of indigenous peoples, because we don’t want to let these languages ​​die. Fighting for this survival is something that has always motivated my choice of research”, says Lara Wolski, graduated in Literature at USP and member of Geli since 2017.

Lara says that her interest arose in her third year of graduation, when she still had little knowledge of indigenous languages ​​and was encouraged by Professor Luciana to study the area. For the student, her research is more than just an academic assignment. “I study these languages ​​not just for the academic ego, I study for what I value. I think we have a lot to learn from indigenous peoples, their struggles and values.”

The contribution of indigenous languages ​​to research at the University is significant, points out Lara. She points out that researchers should value the knowledge of indigenous communities, instead of treating them as a mere object of study or work tool. “We study languages ​​for the indigenous cause. So it’s not about superimposing our data and theories onto languages, but learning from them,” she explains.

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I believe that fighting for the survival of the culture of these peoples is to be resistance in Brazil in the last four years. We resist a government that is completely violent towards minorities.”
meetings and activities
Geli holds regular meetings during the semester and member surveys are presented every fortnight. Coordinator Luciana informs that anyone interested in indigenous languages ​​and interested in participating in the linguistic research can contact the group.

Various materials are produced, such as traditional narratives recorded with the elders, lexicons, audio and video collections, grammars and articles on grammatical themes. All this material aims at documenting the traditions of the peoples, and can be used as an educational tool, in schools and in indigenous bilingual education projects.

Professor Luciana Storto is also a special consultant for the exhibition Nhe’ẽ Porã: Memória e Transformação , which is on display at the Portuguese Language Museum until April 2023. The exhibition represents indigenous linguistic families and evokes their identities and trajectories.