Analysis of Guarani expressions in disuse: their origin and evolution in contemporary use. Análisis de expresiones en desuso del guaraní: su origen y evolución en el uso contemporáneo

Abstract

This work investigates the Guarani language from its earliest times. There are many words or concepts that are thought not to exist in Guarani, and for this reason many Spanish words are introduced, which gives the impression that Guarani lacks the appropriate terms for certain uses. In addition, there are numerous books that have not been used for the teaching of the Guarani language, or at least for the knowledge of its history. In these books one can find terms that have fallen into disuse and have been replaced by Spanish terms, thus impoverishing the language. It is known that the Guarani had no tradition of writing, so it is not possible to find texts in Guarani from pre-Hispanic times. Only after the arrival of the Spaniards did written materials on the Guarani language and the Guarani begin to appear. This work was initiated within the framework of the Chair of Guarani Philology. Through this study, it is possible to discover Guarani terms that are unknown to many, demonstrating that books written by Franciscans and Jesuits contain Guarani terms that contemporary speakers are unaware of, and that can be discovered.