ETHNOLINGUISTICS IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABILITY: THE REMAINING NATIVE LANGUAGES IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BENJAMIN CONSTANT AND SÃO PAULO DE OLIVENÇA IN THE ALTO-SOLIMÕES MICROREGION, AMAZONAS STATE

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze the future of remaining native languages ​​in the municipalities of Benjamin Constant and São Paulo de Olivença (Alto Solimões/AM), focusing on the assumptions of ethnolinguistics in the context of the sustainability of language policies in higher education. The methodological approach of the research was based on the construction of prospective scenarios (Godet, 2000), made possible by a bibliographic survey. The research results contributed to the identification of five remaining native languages, two in the municipality of Benjamin Constant/AM, Tikuna and Kokama, and three in the municipality of São Paulo de Olivença/AM, Tikuna, Kokama, and Kambeba. It was also found that in both municipalities, there are languages ​​at risk of extinction, namely: Kaixana, Witoto, and Kanamari. Regarding the enrollment of indigenous students in higher education, 1,058 were registered in Benjamim Constant and 2,084 in São Paulo de Olivença (IBGE, 2022). Although these data show an increase in the participation of indigenous people in universities in Amazonas, the future scenario of language policies still seems ineffective in the face of the decrease in young speakers of the mother tongue and written records, such as the creation of teaching materials by native speakers, the training of indigenous teachers, and compliance with the Law of Guidelines and Bases of National Education (Law No. 9,394/1996) by public and private universities. In short, the research contributes to the reflection on public language policy actions aimed at providing inclusive education to keep alive oral traditions and ancestral knowledge that are indispensable for the preservation and revitalization of these languages ​​as cultural and sustainable heritage.