I thought I’d take this time to reflect on a topic which volunteers have a range of relationships with – Guarani.
Regardless of if you were in the campo or the big city, your service was inevitably shaped by Paraguay’s unique linguistic geography. During training, I hung to the faint hope that mine would be a unicorn community – an Ag site where nothing other than good ol’ colonizing Spanish was spoken. Sadly it took about 5 minutes into my future site visit to kill that pipe dream. As I sat for that first time with my future host family, dazed and confused from the 11km walk that got me there, I almost burst out laughing as question after question was launched at me in Guarani’nte. The idea that I was expected to understand, let alone converse, in this language that three months beforehand I had never heard spoken even once was just ludicrous. And very intimidating.
Fortunately the intimidating became the possible, and like many of you I slowly began getting a grasp on the ins and outs of the kuris, the kues and the haikuepetes. Beyond the obvious benefits of conversing about more than “Haku, he che haku” (always a crowd pleaser), my improving Guarani seemed to open up the whole country. Random bus stop conversations led to invitations to breakfast, working class Asuncionites did double takes, and most significantly people’s whole demeanor seemed to become warmer. Outside of pure comprehension, the insights into class, race and values which could be derived from a Paraguayan’s approach to Jopara were invaluable in understanding not just Paraguay, but also gave a glimpse into power dynamics the world over where powerful foreigners and their languages clash with the local.
I now reside in Washington, D.C. where, surprise surprise, there is more Spanish than Guarani. While a stronger understanding of the subjunctivo would certainly serve me better both personally and professionally now, I do still find the occasional use for my rusting Guarani. A shared inside joke with RPCVs or suddenly being able to connect with the rare DC-based Paraguayan is an often unexpected bright spot in the day. Despite the inability to find a current practical application for what was once of so central importance to my life, I can look back on my battles with Guarani with a mix of pride, frustration and ultimately sense of gratitude to have been given the opportunity to grapple with all the intricacies that learning a new language invites. I invite you to reflect on your relationship with Guarani, and language, and share in the next publication.
Justin Sturm
FoP General Board Member, 2021