The Preservation and revitalization of Tupi

an interview with Eduardo Navarro

Abstract

This interview explores the challenges and strategies adopted by the POTI Project, responsible for training the first Potiguara teachers in teaching Old Tupi, as well as the obstacles in creating teaching materials and developing linguistic innovations to reintegrate Tupi into the community's daily life. It also addresses the current stage of revitalization, highlighting the emergence of indigenous people proficient in the language. Navarro reflects on the role of translations and academic institutions in this process and emphasizes how the project contributes to strengthening Potiguara cultural identity and, by extension, Brazil's linguistic diversity. This conversation reveals a rich interaction between history, culture, and linguistics, shedding light on the importance of preserving and revitalizing indigenous languages as an essential part of humanity's cultural heritage. A reading that inspires and invites reflection on the cultural and linguistic plurality of the country.