Guaraní language sees resurgence in Paraguay

The British magazine The Economist has highlighted the resurgence of Guaraní, describing it provocatively as ‘the South American hipster language cooler than Spanish’. The report notes a growing interest in the language across public institutions, including education and culture, as well as its increasing presence on social media.

In Paraguay, while only 2.3% of the population identifies as indigenous, approximately 90% understands Guaraní. Recent surveys indicate that nearly 40% of the population speaks it daily at home alongside Spanish, representing one of the highest bilingualism rates in the world. The language is also being integrated into higher education, such as medical studies at the National University of Asuncion, where students learn technical terms in Guaraní.

The article also notes the importance of ‘jopará’, which serves as a lingua franca, and observes a shift in social prestige for the language, which was previously often disregarded by local elites.