Aymara, Central

A language of Bolivia

ISO 639-3

ayr

Population

2,098,000 in Bolivia (2006 PIB). Population total all countries: 2,589,000.

Location

Whole Altiplano west of eastern Andes. Some migration to valleys and lowlands. Also in Argentina, Chile, Peru.

Language Maps

Argentina and Chile

Bolivia

Peru

Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification

Aymaran, Aymara

Dialects

Chilean Aymara is very similar to La Paz, Bolivia dialect.

Language Use

In spite of large user population considered potentially endangered due to lack of intergenerational transmission of the language (2007). All ages.

Language Development

Churches active in literacy. Government schools open to use of Aymara literature. New media. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1987–2012.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Aymara, Central

Writing

Latin script.

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Argentina

Language nameAymara, Central

Population

30,000 in Argentina.

Location

Jujuy and Salta provinces in the mountains. In urban areas.

Status

6b (Threatened).

Other Comments

Quite a few come from Bolivia looking for work.

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Chile

Language nameAymara, Central

Population

19,000 in Chile (Fabre 2007). About half have some knowledge of the language (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 48,500 (2002).

Location

Mountains of extreme north, Tarapacá; Arica, Parinacota, Iquique.

Status

6b (Threatened).

Language Use

Due to acculturation, the language is especially being lost at a rapid pace in coastal areas and the valleys. Fewer than one-third transmit the language to their children (2007). Also use Spanish [spa].

Language Development

Bilingual education is being implemented in some schools in the highland.

Other Comments

Only one-third of the Aymaras still live in the rural communities of their traditional homeland; most now live in the urban areas (Fabre 2007).

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Peru

Language nameAymara, Central

Population

442,000 in Peru (2000).

Location

Lake Titicaca area, Puno.

Status

6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (1993, Constitution, Article 48).

Language Use

In spite of many speakers, considered potentially endangered due to lack of intergenerational transmission of the language (2007). All ages.

Other Comments

Lupaca is the main literary dialect.

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Ethnologue

Aymara, Central

A language of Bolivia

Also spoken in:

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Aymara, Central

A language of Bolivia

Also spoken in: