Paraguay: Spanish competing with an indigenous tongue
Did you know that Paraguay is the only country in Latin America where an indigenous tongue has reached a higher level of prevalence than Spanish?
Meeting with Paraguayans (1889) by Riou MeaoulleOriginal Source: Milda Rivarola Collection
The origins of Paraguay
The first Spanish explorers arrived via the River Paraná from Buenos Aires and came face to face with the Guaraní people. It was here where the Spanish pursued El Dorado, the mythical city of gold. In 1537, the city of Asunción was founded.
Square at the port (1910) by Hermanos MuñozOriginal Source: Milda Rivarola Collection
When Buenos Aires was evacuated due to indigenous attacks, Asunción temporarily grew in size. Relations with the Guaraní community were different from those experienced in other areas; the alliance facilitated an immediate and extensive amalgamation. Consequently, many households learned Guaraní.
Slaves and laborers (1871) by KilburnOriginal Source: Milda Rivarola Collection
Only small numbers of Europeans chose to stay in Paraguay, and they remained isolated from the way of life in larger cities such as Buenos Aires. The Jesuits who arrived in the region encouraged the use of Guaraní as the language of the missions.
Paraná River (1889) by Riou BarbantOriginal Source: Milda Rivarola Collection
After breaking away from Buenos Aires in 1617, Paraguay was a dependency of the Viceroyalty of Peru, but lack of access meant it was physically disconnected from Lima. In 1776, it was returned to the Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata, until the Argentine War of Independence began in 1810.
José Rodríguez Gaspar Francia (1871) by KilburnOriginal Source: Milda Rivarola Collection
Paraguay gained its independence in 1817, but its borders remained closed under the dictatorship of José Gaspar, until his death in 1840. This isolation led to a tacit rejection of the linguistic innovations occurring abroad, especially in Buenos Aires.
Views of Paraguay (1894) by M. San MartínOriginal Source: National Library of Spain
In the late 19th century, Paraguay lost the War of the Triple Alliance. Apart from losing territory, the country lost half of all its inhabitants, and 90% of the male population. Since then, Paraguay has lived through numerous, and continuous, military dictatorships.
Bilingualism in Paraguay
The country's current bilingualism and preference for Guaraní as the language of the heart can be explained by its history.
Paraguayan family (1958)Original Source: Milda Rivarola Collection
More than 70% of Paraguayans speak Guaraní, while 68.2% are Spanish speakers. Almost half the population is able to speak both languages, but if we focus on command of just one language, the number of Guaraní speakers is higher than that of Spanish speakers.
Guarani (1940) by Friedrich A. M.Original Source: Milda Rivarola Collection
However, Guaraní is not the only indigenous tongue in Paraguay, nor is it consistent across the country. There are still some small indigenous communities who maintain their own language and culture.
Steam exit from the port, Asunción (1930) by Kulg-Mares EditOriginal Source: Milda Rivarola Collection
Paraguayan Spanish includes certain Italianisms, presumably originating from Buenos Aires. The Paraguayan lexicon is largely the same as in the rest of the Southern Cone. It is the addition of Guaraní that gives Paraguayan Spanish its distinctive character.
Rhea (1781) by Felix de AzaraOriginal Source: Milda Rivarola Collection
Some words derived from Guaraní are also understood outside of the country: ñandu, an ostrich-like bird; urubú, a vulture; yopará, a blend of Guaraní and Spanish. So a conversation in Spanish between Paraguayans can be somewhat difficult to understand.
Now listen to a Paraguayan Spanish speaker
With information from Latin American Spanish (El Español de América) by John M. Lipski
Contents donated by the estate of Milda Rivarola.
Curator: Rodrigo Díaz
