Brazil: Federal Constitution to be translated into indigenous language
Fifteen indigenous translators are collaborating on translating the Brazilian Federal Constitution into Nheengatu, a Tupinambá-origin language spoken by multiple Amazon region communities. The project is set to be completed by October, with the official unveiling scheduled to take place in a ceremony to be held in São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas state. This will mark the first-ever version of the Magna Carta in an indigenous language.
The National Council of Justice is spearheading the initiative, under the coordination of Marco Lucchesi, the head of the National Library, and José Ribamar Bessa, a professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).
“Due to the significant relationship between Nheengatu and the Portuguese language, particularly in terms of permeability, we aim to enhance dialogue with a legal perspective,” Lucchesi stated. He also emphasized two crucial aspects associated with these initiatives: promoting legal awareness and giving native languages the recognition they deserve.
Nheengatu, often referred to as the general Amazonian language, originated organically through interactions among indigenous individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds in colonial settlements. However, it underwent several transformations influenced by the Portuguese language, particularly through the efforts of religious missionaries who aimed to formalize and standardize it grammatically.
The translation efforts are in line with one of the key priorities of the National Library under its current management, which is to expand the collection of materials related to indigenous peoples and other traditional communities in the country. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), Brazil is home to nearly 300 languages. To accommodate this diversity, the National Library is actively reviewing and organizing bilingual books to ensure their inclusion in the collection. This process aims to enhance the library's offerings in support of linguistic and cultural diversity.
*In collaboration with Léo Rodrigues
