Bolivia: Language Recognition and Social Inclusion

Abstract

The cultural variety of Bolivian cultural heritage was not officially recognized for a great period of time; therefore, until 2009, education in Bolivia was delivered only in Castilian; indigenous and native people had to get rid or hide their mother tongue if they wanted to acquire education or avoid being discriminated against. This particularity created an environment of discrimination and sentiments of contempt towards native languages. Nowadays, however, the new Political Constitution of Bolivia and its Educational bill recognize and promote native languages as a language of instruction along with Castilian and a foreign language, though with huge challenges to achieve the ideal. This article highlights the importance to native languages and educating the pupils in the same language in order to make them aware of the richness of heritage and tradition. It also argues that educating in native languages gives respectability to the particular language.