Mapuche language recovery – Digitalization of Audio Records in Mapuzungun

Volunteering Placement Code: 005-AR-CHT-ESQ-PO

City/Province/Country: Esquel - Chubut - Argentina

Host Organization Description: The local linguist Antonio Diaz Fernandez (www.mapuzungunchubut.com.ar), from the city of Esquel, Chubut province, in Argentinean Patagonia, has spent 20 years studying the language of the Mapuche native people. Mapuzungun (language of the earth) is currently an endangered language in several Patagonian regions; this came about because after the so-called Conquest of the Desert (Conquista del Desierto), the social pressure and marginalization to which the Mapuche people were subjected drove them to stop teaching their own language to their children. Currently, only a small amount of older people speak Mapuzungun as their mother tongue. Most younger Mapuche know only some words and phrases.

In this context of social marginalization, local and provincial authorities only carry out superficial language recovery policies. Though legislation has been passed for bilingual teaching (Spanish–Mapuzungun) in rural schools, neither the training of teachers nor the creation of didactic material has been encouraged or sponsored. Thus, people currently have very few opportunities to learn Mapuzungun.

Volunteering Placement Description: Throughout 20 years of field work in Mapuche communities, the linguist Antonio Diaz Fernandez has gathered a very large amount of audio material in cassette format. In the current context of the loss of the Mapuzungun language, MAPU Association is cooperating with a project of digitalization, cleaning, and systematization of this valuable material. Once digitalized, it will be available for didactic and educational purposes to spread and recover the language among the Mapuche and non-Mapuche communities.

The main activity of this volunteering placement is to work on the digitalization, cleaning, cutting, and systematization of the audio material under the supervision of the linguist.

Objectives: The aim of this volunteering placement is that you contribute to the recovery of Mapuzungun, the language of the Mapuche native people.

Requirements: For this volunteering placement you need to have some knowledge and/or experience in the use of sound edition software. You also need to be flexible, proactive, creative and able to work in a systematic and orderly fashion.

Languages: Intermediate level of Spanish

Minimum and Maximum Length: Minimum 1 month – flexible maximum

Ideal Start Date: Flexible

Timetable: 20 to 25 weekly hours, from Monday to Friday, normally during the afternoon

Last Page Update: June 2008

Comments from Former Mapuzungun Recovery Volunteers

The volunteering placement that I participated in with MAPU Association in Patagonia involved digitalizing Mapuzungun recordings. These are recordings of interviews carried out during the past 20+ years by the linguist Antonio Díaz Fernández with a large number of Mapuzungun speakers from the Sierra Colorada and Lago Rosario regions, many of whom are now no longer alive.

Even though this work might seem rather simple at first glance, it is extremely important and beneficial to the community; through it we are able to preserve not only the local Mapuche language but also all of the cultural heritage associated with the language. Volunteers who choose this placement will not only help with Antonio Díaz´s work but will also likely be lucky enough to visit and get to know some of the interviewees. I´m sure that when this happens the hours spent in front of the computer listening to these "unknown" voices (which by the end of your time here will end up being completely familiar) will hold a very special place in your heart.

Sharing experiences with the interviewees and their families, getting to know their land, and discovering their "Mapu" are definitely some of the most satisfying experiences I could have had as a volunteer.

Laura - Costa Rica - February 2008

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During this volunteering placement I worked with Antonio, a Mapuzungun linguist and specialist. My work consisted of digitalizing old cassettes that I tried to clean with a special audio software, and also recording dialogues for his textbook. I was able to advance my knowledge of audio software, especially cleaning software and recording techniques, while also learning basic Mapuzungun. Furthermore, I got a very good overview of Mapuche culture, history, and current situation.

I really enjoyed working on this project because from the beginning I noticed that I could make a very productive and important contribution to document and preserve the Mapuche language. In addition, working with Antonio was a lot of fun; he is a very nice guy.

I especially recommend this project to people who are interested in Mapuche culture, languages, and audio software. Previous knowledge of audio software is advantageous but not necessary, because there are challenges for beginners as well as advanced users.

Johannes - Germany - December 2007

 

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During the month that I spent as a Patagonia Volunteer in Esquel I worked with Antonio, a local linguist, digitizing a portion of his extensive collection of Mapuzungun audio records. It was a very rewarding experience, particularly because Antonio is eager to share his knowledge of and passion for the language. Collaborating with someone so devoted to his/her work is refreshing and inspiring. Volunteers who have an interest in language or linguistics will undoubtedly find the Mapuche language recovery project fascinating and worthwhile.

Carey - USA - July 2009

Pictures of Mapuzungun Recovery Efforts