Is it necessary to choose between minority language standardisation and the vitality of its varieties? Alto Napo Kichwa case study

Abstract

This article focuses on the standardization of Ecuadorian Quichua (Kichwa) and on the effects of this process on one of the minority varieties of the language: Tena Kichwa, or Alto1 Napo Kichwa, spoken in the Amazonian province of Napo. The analysis presented here is based on data and observations collected during one year of fieldwork in the Napo province. The arti-cle showcases how the standardization of Ecuadorian Kichwa debilitates the local dialects, rather than strengthening them.The  interruption  of  intergenerational  transmission  of  Tena  Kichwa  is  accelerated  not  only by the growing dominance of Spanish and processes of urbanization and socio-political change, but also by the standardization of Kichwa. Because of the latter, different variants of Kichwa are used in the school system and by the authorities on the one hand, and in the everyday life of the community on the other. This dichotomy accelerates the process of Tena Kichwa  falling  into  disuse.  Moreover,  the  language  policies  implemented  by  the  local  and  state authorities do not respond to the needs of the local population, and contribute to the increasing marginalization of the local dialects.