Linguistic policies for maintenance and empowerment of khĩsêtjê language.

Abstract

The aim of this work is to describe the linguistic policies developed in the Khĩsêtjê community, specifically in the Khikatxi village, with a view to maintaining and strengthening their native Khĩsêtjê language. The research was developed from fieldwork, in which it was possible to document some aspects related to the language and its learning within the school and cultural context. To develop this study we used some theoretical references such as: Maher (1996, 2012, 2013), Calvet (2010), Spolsky (2004, 2005), Cooper (1989), Shohamy (2006, 2008), among others. In addition to these authors, we also use official documents from the Directory of Indians that was promulgated by Marquês de Pombal (1957). These documents show the path taken by linguistic policies in Brazil, considering Indigenous School Education. We also consider the 1988 Constitution (BRASIL, 1988), LDBEN no. 9,394/1996 (BRASIL, 1996) and BRASIL (1998), followed by Resolution no. 3/99, which established the National Curriculum Guidelines for Indigenous Schools in the country. We know that the field of linguistic policy and planning has recently adopted a multidimensional perspective on the notion of language policies. In this perspective, the interference of different agents in the process has enabled the creation of language policy implementation (JOHSON, 2013). Given the observation process during the period of experience with the Khῖsêtjê people, it allows me to conclude this research by pointing out that the community has strong internal and unofficial Linguistic Policies for maintenance and strengthening, even without having this knowledge of what linguistic policies are. However, it is necessary to carry out studies on the sociolinguistic situation of the community, seeking to identify what are the weaknesses of the language. Therefore, we show that language policies are entirely linked to the strengthening of cultural practices, with the involvement of elders and leaders and thus registering and documenting so that this language does not disappear.