History of Quechua, language of the Incas

The Quechua language, an ancient language of the Andes, has pre-Inca origins and expanded during the Inca Empire, where it became the official administrative and cultural language. Despite the arrival of the Spaniards and the imposition of Spanish during the colonial period, Quechua persisted and adapted, incorporating linguistic borrowings and evolving in different regions.

Today, Quechua is a symbol of cultural identity in Andean countries such as Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, where it is taught and remains alive.

What is the Origin of Quechua?

Quechua, known as runasimi, is a language native to the Andes and part of the Amazon region of South America. Its origins date back several millennia before the Inca era, with research suggesting that it was spoken in the highlands of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and parts of Colombia, and its expansion was largely due to pre-Inca trade networks and migrations.

Quechua and the Incas

During the Inca Empire, Quechua became the administrative and cultural exchange language, facilitating the unification of the various peoples that composed the Tahuantinsuyo. Although the Incas did not impose their language by force, its official use and the mobility of the subjected peoples promoted its spread.

Quechua in Ancient Peru

In ancient Peru, Quechua was not a homogeneous language but a family of dialects that evolved independently. Before Inca domination, many cultures, such as the Chavín and the Wari, had already adopted variants of Quechua. This language played a crucial role in integrating different communities and transmitting agricultural, religious, and technological knowledge.

Quechua during the Colonial Period

With the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century, Quechua underwent significant changes. The colonizers used Quechua as a tool to evangelize the indigenous population, adapting the language to translate religious texts. However, the imposition of Spanish and Hispanicization policies affected its use and prestige, associating it with rural and less privileged classes.

Evolution of Quechua Over Time

Quechua has shown remarkable adaptability and resilience. Over the centuries, it has incorporated borrowings from Spanish and other indigenous languages, leading to new dialectal variants. Its grammar and lexicon have evolved, reflecting sociocultural changes and external influences.

Quechua in the 19th and 20th Centuries

During the 19th century, Quechua declined due to centralist policies promoting the exclusive use of Spanish in education and administration. However, in the 20th century, indigenist movements and the appreciation of native cultures led to a resurgence of interest in Quechua, promoting linguistic studies and bilingual educational projects.

Quechua Today

Today, Quechua is recognized as an official language in several Andean countries, including Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. It is now taught in schools and universities and used in media and literature.

Despite the challenges, Quechua remains a symbol of cultural identity and resistance, with millions of speakers keeping its linguistic tradition alive.

Characteristics of the Quechua Language

Like any language, Quechua has its own unique characteristics:

Onomatopoeic

Quechua uses many words that mimic sounds from nature and everyday life, facilitating a connection between the language and the natural environment.

Polysynthetic or Agglutinative

Quechua is an agglutinative language, meaning words are formed by joining several morphemes (units of meaning) into a single word. This allows complex ideas to be expressed concisely and precisely.

Polysemic

Many Quechua words have multiple meanings depending on the context in which they are used, enriching the language and allowing great expressive flexibility.

Emphatic

Quechua has various grammatical and lexical forms to express emphasis, highlighting important elements of communication and reflecting the importance of intentionality in Andean culture.

Quechua Words That Might Be Useful to You

• Allin: Good
• Sumaq: Beautiful
• Wasi: House
• Pacha: Earth, world, time
• Yachay: Knowledge
• Kusikuy: Joy
• Munay: Love, want
• Chaski: Messenger
• Runa: Person
• Qhapaq: Rich, powerful
• Añay: Thank you

These words and characteristics showcase the richness and complexity of Quechua, a language that has endured and evolved over millennia, maintaining its cultural and linguistic relevance in the Andean world.