Before all of these languages, however, people in the region spoke the languages of the "pueblos originarios", or Indigenous peoples, of these lands. The Tehuelche/Aonikenk language and the Mapuche/Mapudungun language, therefore, connect especially closely to local landscapes. In the late 19th century, Mapuche and Tehuelche communities faced genocide and forced assimilation at the hands of the Argentine state. People were harshly punished for speaking these languages in school and the workplace, and many parents stopped teaching the languages to their children to protect them from further violence and discrimination. Because of this, many people lost the ability to speak their native languages entirely. Today, young people are working to reclaim these languages alongside their Indigenous identities.
Indigenous languages show up in many ways in Patagonia today. First, Tehuelche and Mapuche words commonly appear as toponyms or place names. The name of the city where I live, “Esquel,” likely comes from the Tehuelche word “Esgelkaik,” meaning “the place of thistles.” Mapuche place names in the region include “Calfu Mahuida” (Blue Mountain) and “Nahuel Huapi” (Tiger Island). Some people are working on updating public signs to include the Indigenous names of mountains, rivers, and other natural features.
Another way many young people reconnect with languages like Mapudungun is by incorporating them into artistic projects. By including Mapudungun in murals, song lyrics, and poetry, artists reclaim Mapuche sounds, art forms, and worldviews. They also aim to fight against anti-Mapuche discrimination and encourage others to be proud of their Indigenous heritage.
