Who speaks what to whom? Multilingualism and language choice in Misión La Paz

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1.

INTRODUCTION

In this paper we describe and analyze the multilingualism and language use in Misión La Paz, Salta Province, Argentina. Three indigenous languages and Spanish are spoken here, but interlocutors in conversations typically do not speak the same language to one another. There is extensive linguistic exogamy, and husbands and wives speak different languages to each another. Our goal in this paper is to describe and explain this situation, with comparisons to similar situations elsewhere. We believe the pattern of language choice and multilingual use in this case is unique.¹

We argue that Misión La Paz (henceforth MLP) is significantly different from situations elsewhere in the world which have partial similarities. We believe that MLP is unique in the combination of dual-lingualism, linguistic exogamy, and lack of language accommodation between husbands and wives that characterizes multilingual language use there.

It is important to document unusual and unique situations of language choice and language use, particularly as we investigate endangered languages. Given the increasing threat from Spanish and population pressures in the region, and from the increasing lack of resources and from the need for alternatives to sustain livelihood, it is possible that the patterns of multilingualism described here will cease to exist in the not distant future, in which case, without documentation, we would have no knowledge of the existence of this probably unique pattern of multilingualism and language choice. This would be an unfortunate loss, for this situation has much to tell us about language contact and multilingualism, with important implications for several general claims about these topics.

2.

MISIÓN LA PAZ AND ITS LANGUAGES

Misión La Paz (henceforth MLP) is a community of c.650 people in northern Salta Province, Argentina, on the Pilcomayo River.² Three indigenous languages are spoken there: Chorote, Nivaclé, and Wichí. These languages belong to the Matacoan family.³ They are not especially closely related, however, with a divergence on the order of Germanic languages. Those who know one of these languages must still learn the others in order to understand them.

Chorote is represented in MLP in three dialects Iyo'wuhwa, Iyojwa'ja (Yohwaha), and Montaraz (Wikinawos, Manjuy). These dialects are reasonably divergent and speakers maintain they have difficulty understanding speakers of...