Languages in Peru

Peru is one of the countries with the greatest cultural diversity, it has 47

native languages that are spoken by more than four million people in the

coast, mountains and jungle.

By keeping a language alive, a culture, a different thought, a version of

the world and a new way of contributing to human knowledge are kept

alive.

The languages with official alphabets are Quechua, Matsigenka,

Harakbut, Ese Eja, Shipibo, Ashaninka, Aymara, Yine, Kakataibo, Kandozi-

Chapra, Awajún, Jaqaru, Shawi, Yanesha, Nomatsigenga, Cashinahua,

Wampis, Sharanahua, Sequoia, Achuar, murui-muinani, kakinte, matsés,

ikitu, shiwilu, madija, kukama kukamiria, maijiki, bora, yagua, kapanawa,

urarina, amahuaca, yaminahua, ocaina, nanti, arabela and ticuna.

In addition, Minedu specialists have begun the process of normalizing the

Nahua and Nanti alphabets and are in the process of diagnosing the

Isconahua, Muniche, Iñapari, Taushiro, Chamicuro, Resígaro and Oomagua

languages. It’s very common in Peru to know that many people speak

Spanish, Quechua and English as a foreign language. Currently, English is

taught in schools but the Ministry of Education plans to add Quechua as a

necessary language in the near future.

Let’s hope that the next President will give great importance to education

so that they not only teach foreign languages in schools, but also Peruvian

languages.