Esboço sociolinguístico sobre risco de perda e manutenção de línguas: o caso de cinco línguas indígenas brasileiras

Abstract

This study presents the macro variables that evidence the threatening situation and vitality loss of Anambé, Aikanã, Apurinã, Parkatêjê and Xipaya languages in consequence of the Portuguese language domain. To make it possible, necessary methodological procedures were used for a bibliographic, theory-focused approach about the causes that motivate the linguistic change, based in the sociolinguistic variables presented by Edward (1992), Grenoble & Whaley (1998, 2000) and in the criteria that evaluate the vitality of languages pointed by UNESCO (2003). From the information collected in interviews with researchers of the selected languages, we aim to: i) identify what macro variables act on the de-vitalization process of these languages; ii) classify these languages about their vitality degree, considering the established criteria in 2003 by the United Nations for the Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO); and iii) outline, based in the answers given by the interviewed researchers, the sociolinguistic situation of each studied language. An exam of the macro variables (use of the languages, schooling and migration) identified after analysis of the selected indigenous languages pointed out aspects that concern their linguistic loss situation.