Políticas de línguas em área Tupinikim: o caso da Aldeia Caieiras Velha, Aracruz – ES

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to discuss the effects of the Linguistic Policies in Brazil upon the Tupinikim village in Caieiras Velha, Aracruz, Espírito Santo, and to verify to what extent the Tupinikim people have contributed to the revitalization of the language of their ancestors (the ethno-identity language), collaborating towards the strengthening of this identity. The study is performed under the methodology of action-research and it begins by first questioning, through a historical perspective, the process of colonization, while highlighting the role of the Tupinikim during their contact with the conquering expeditions and the Indigenous groups, the takings and the resisting of the lands we today call the state of Espírito Santo. This research also discusses the linguistic policies implemented during the period of the Colony, the Empire and during the Republic. It examines the imposition of the Portuguese language and the process of integration and of “civility” of the Indigenous people, and lastly, it reviews the emancipation that began with the Federal Constitution of 1988. Finally, we discuss the contemporary agencies of the Tupinikim people that act towards the construction of a linguistic policy of their own, based upon the revitalization of the Tupi language within and out of the school boarders, while discussing its role within the school. The research points towards the need of language policies more closely linked to its community, going beyond the disciplinary organized school. The study also indicates the support the State may offer by furthering specific training in the revitalization of Indigenous languages.