Language and identity
A culture is nothing without the language of its region because it is the means of communication, although not the only one, it is the principal one. Language is the biggest influence a culture has because it is what shapes our reality, and our languages words are what help form this perspective on the reality we see, so basically it is a filtering lens to what we perceive around us and the world. The Wayuu´s mother tongue is the Wayuunaiki which has similar vowels and letters of the alphabet as our normal 24 letter Spanish one. Considering that any indigenous community strives to be secluded or at least left to act on their own community rules, it is normal that they see the learning of other languages unnecessary or a threat to their beliefs and culture, nonetheless there are centers in the region that help any of the Wayuú who wish to learn Spanish to do so, and they have also realized that they need to learn at the very least Spanish to be able to communicate with either with Colombians or Venezuelans.
As stated before the use of any language in any culture enables the communication, weather it is in family, business and / or community space and time; the interaction of a person with another one is based on language, even with the disabled people, like blind people or deaf people, who use the sign or braille language to communicate, language is basically what defines how a culture interacts within and with the exterior. And this definition is what creates the perspective of a person, because it´s their reality. As of speaking another language, a third language, for them is basically really not important, nonetheless there is always a tendency to choose a translator for the community, meaning they will elect a person to be their representative, but they still prefer to keep using their own language.
As stated before the use of any language in any culture enables the communication, weather it is in family, business and / or community space and time; the interaction of a person with another one is based on language, even with the disabled people, like blind people or deaf people, who use the sign or braille language to communicate, language is basically what defines how a culture interacts within and with the exterior. And this definition is what creates the perspective of a person, because it´s their reality. As of speaking another language, a third language, for them is basically really not important, nonetheless there is always a tendency to choose a translator for the community, meaning they will elect a person to be their representative, but they still prefer to keep using their own language.
¿Is bilingualism important?
Kogui communities are currently trying to sustain their culture, but they have to be in contact with the 'occidental culture' since land is shared with the rest of the Colombian population and there are basic which cannot be produced by the community or the indigenous groups close by, therefore to obtain such merchandise they are in the need of contacting the ‘occidental world. Languages are a problem when it comes to commerce and since indigenous communities are the minority and have the most needs they had to learn Spanish. The second language is taught to children in the community, at early ages speaking Spanish aids the communication between them and tourists to sell art crafts among other products.
Some young kougis attend school with Colombian citizen teachers (naturally attending Colombian schools requires a lot speaking and reading Spanish), besides they can have the possibility of accessing some degree of superior education and use their knowledge to “help their ethnic group”. Claiming to study for the wellbeing of the community means they are aware that their resources and their sacred places are in danger, because others want power over them, consecuently they have to be ready to defend their territories and make sure their people along with their culture are legally protected, so that no measures are taken in their home without their approval.
Some young kougis attend school with Colombian citizen teachers (naturally attending Colombian schools requires a lot speaking and reading Spanish), besides they can have the possibility of accessing some degree of superior education and use their knowledge to “help their ethnic group”. Claiming to study for the wellbeing of the community means they are aware that their resources and their sacred places are in danger, because others want power over them, consecuently they have to be ready to defend their territories and make sure their people along with their culture are legally protected, so that no measures are taken in their home without their approval.