Immerse yourself in the richness of Quechua, a language that reflects the diversity and complexity of Peruvian culture. Quechua is a highly diverse language with a wide variety of dialects and regional variations. In fact, it is so diverse that there are varieties that are not mutually intelligible. This has been a headache for scholars when it comes to classification and continues to be a sensitive topic in various aspects.
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- Despite this, in recent years Quechua has experienced a resurgence in popularity among younger generations. This language has been gaining new spaces in television and social media, thanks in part to the efforts of influencers and musicians who use indigenous languages in their work.
- According to the Ministry of Culture and Education of Peru, there are four main types of Quechua: Central Quechua (Chawpi Qichwa or Quechua I), Northern Quechua (or Quechua II-A), Amazonian Quechua (also known as Kichwa or Quechua II-B), and Southern Quechua (also known as Urin Qichwa or Quechua II-C, which includes two varieties commonly known as Ayacucho-Chanka and Cusco-Collao). The latter variant is the most widely spoken. Let's not forget that each type has its own subtypes and unique regional variations and is spoken in different areas of the country.
- In any case, it is important to note that Quechua is a language with many regional variations, and the boundaries between different dialects are not always clearly defined. Additionally, there are often significant differences even within a single dialect depending on the specific region or community where it is spoken.
Pentavocalic Quechua or Trivocalic Quechua?
- The controversy between the variants of Southern Quechua, Cusco-Collao Quechua, or "pentavocalic" and Ayacucho-Chanka's Quechua, often called "trivocalic," has been a subject of discussion for a long time. This cultural rivalry has led to difficulties in the standardization process of writing these variants since each one has its own peculiarities and unique characteristics. Officially, the Southern Quechua standardized by the Ministry of Education does maintain a different writing system for these varieties, which can be distinguished by the use of aspirated consonants (chh, kh, ph, qh, th) and glottal stops (ch', k', p', q', t') for Cusco-Collao. There is also a widely used popular orthography in the city of Cusco to represent the Cusco-Collao southern variety, known as Quechua Imperial or Quechua Pentavocalic, promoted by the Major Academy of the Quechua Language, a decentralized public organization deeply rooted in the city and the main opponent of the alphabet proposed by the Ministry of Education.
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How many Quechua speakers are there in Peru according to their variety?
- The largest and most vital variety of Quechua is Southern Quechua, which is spoken by over 4 million people in central and southern Peru, in the regions of Cusco, Puno, Arequipa, and Moquegua (in the commonly known variety as Quechua Cusco-Collao) and in Huancavelica, Ayacucho, and Apurímac (a variety known as Quechua Chanka or Ayacucho), as well as in Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Central Quechua, with approximately 500,000 speakers, is spoken in the central highlands of Peru, including La Libertad, Lima, Áncash, Huánuco, Pasco, and Junín.
- Northern Quechua, with around 600,000 speakers, is spoken in the northern mountainous regions of Peru, including Cajamarca, Lambayeque, and Piura. Finally, Amazonian Quechua, also known as Kichwa Amazónico, has around 30,000 speakers and is spoken in Loreto, Madre de Dios, Chachapoyas, and San Martín.
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- Whether it's pentavocalic or trivocalic Quechua, using the orthography of the Ministry of Education or the Major Academy of the Quechua Language, we are here to serve and advise you in the best way possible. We are the first agency specialized in Quechua and other indigenous languages of the Global South because we understand the importance of preserving and promoting our languages, and we are proud to offer our services to support this mission.
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