Indigenous languages in Peru: current needs from linguistic, sociological, and political science perspectives

Abstract

This article analyzes the current needs of Indigenous languages in Peru by integrating perspectives from linguistics, sociology, and political science. Going beyond a diagnostic of endangerment, we argue that current revitalization efforts suffer from a functional approach that bureaucratizes diversity without altering structural power dynamics. We propose a critical intercultural theoretical framework that links linguistic rights, cultural identity, and public policy, positioning the Peruvian reality within the broader Latin American context. Based on a diagnosis of the status of Peru’s Indigenous languages – including their vitality, legal framework, social attitudes, intercultural bilingual education, and speakers’ access to basic services – the Peruvian experience is compared with that of other multilingual, geographically and historically close countries, with similar language vitalization issues, namely Mexico, Bolivia, Colombia, and Guatemala. This comparison is analyzed through the lens of organizational isomorphisms to explain why legislative similarities across the region have not yielded equal results in language vitality. Finally, the article outlines comprehensive strategies that integrate bottom-up social activism with top-down regulatory dimensions, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).