Minoritized languages: empowerment and writing of mocoví language (Guaycurú family, Argentina)

Abstract

In Argentina, as well as across Latin America, writing instruction in native languages receives special attention within the regulation of intercultural and bilingual education. Writing is often brought into the academic discussion when talking about schooling. It is expected that native languages following an oral tradition will eventually become the language promoting literacy when they develop a writing system. Because languages are power mechanisms, the addition of a writing system to an unwritten language also implies that one variety is more ’prestigious’ than others. These biases are consequentially part of standardization processes. This article reviews different representations and operations on a minority language present in Argentina, the Mocoví. Three proposals of alphabets are presented. They are described taking into account different factors and they are analyzed from different points of view to show the multiple faces and implications of writing systems created for native languages.