Do some preliminary research on what most interests you about the target culture, and describe how this topic relates to language.
I am interested in the ayni (sharing) aspect of the Quechua culture because of its economic and political effects. Through my post-lesson discussions with my language partner I have learned about how the Quechua language has transcended throughout Latin American society to be included in political discourse and thought. In addition, I read an article in an anthropology class about ayni’s economic effects, the ayni system, and the methods by which Quechua people go about to implement this sharing model. I have attached the article below.
https://anthrosource-onlinelibrary-wiley-com.newman.richmond.edu/doi/epdf/10.1111/jlca.12265
Do you need any special vocabulary or linguistic knowledge to engage this topic? If so, have you included objectives in your learning plan to engage this topic?
There are two words in particular that are directly related to ayni, one is used in rural settings, while the other is more urban Quechua. In the countryside, Quechua people say sumak kawsay to mean “living well” or “good life”, and this is usually in reference to one’s actions, food, or vibes. The latter is especially important because part of ayni is the belief that you must give to receive and this can only be achieved if you give out of the goodness of your heart. The urban word is ñapa and this means “extra”, people usually say this after making a transaction in the market. You ask for ñapa, so the vendor can give you one more item of produce. I would expand ayni to the urban marketplaces and say that ñapa is the urban form of ayni or, better said, the modern form. I have not included objectives related to ayni in my learning plan.
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