In a groundbreaking academic collaboration, the University of Virginia, Duke University, and Vanderbilt University are set to broaden their language offerings. These esteemed institutions have long provided courses in languages less commonly taught in Western academia, such as Cherokee, Haitian Creole, and Swahili. Now, they are adding the Andean language Quechua to their roster.
Starting next academic year, Quechua will be taught by Joshua Shapero, a linguistic anthropologist and lecturing fellow at Duke University. Shapero brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this endeavor, having extensively researched the Quechua language and its cultural significance.
In an insightful conversation with UVA Today, Shapero shared his expertise on the Quechua language and the importance of this course for students.
Exploring the Roots of Shapero’s Quechua Journey
Before joining Duke, Shapero was part of the anthropology department at the University of New Mexico. His research focuses on Ancash Quechua and examines how language intertwines with environmental practices. Shapero expressed, “I’ve been interested in teaching Quechua for many years, and have had a lot of ideas about it that I’m now putting into practice.”
One of Shapero’s primary goals is to equip researchers working in Quechua-speaking regions with essential language skills. This is crucial for those exploring climate change issues in the Andes, where Quechua is often spoken. Shapero notes the potential for “amazing synergy” when researchers engage in meaningful dialogue across languages and cultures.
Innovative Teaching Methods
Shapero’s approach to teaching Quechua is unique. He integrates cultural components deeply into the curriculum, with an almost equal emphasis on language and cultural understanding. He believes that “speaking a language that’s – typologically, historically, culturally – very different from one’s own requires that you learn more than just grammar.”
His teaching methods encourage students to grasp the distinct characteristics of Quechua, such as its evidential categories and spatial orientation. For instance, Quechua speakers may use landmarks instead of directions like left and right, a concept unfamiliar to many English or Spanish speakers. Furthermore, the language grammatically emphasizes social agency, highlighting aspects like benefit and purpose.
The Intersection of Teaching and Research
Shapero’s teaching is closely linked to his research on how language influences environmental perception and navigation. He is fascinated by how people in mountainous regions, irrespective of language, develop speech patterns that help them stay oriented to their surroundings. He explains that “some of the things that we do with language are cultural and nongrammatical or not necessarily linguistic,” a theme central to both his classes and research.
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