Guarani is experiencing a moment of significant cultural visibility in Paraguay, driven by its use in public institutions, social media, and the arts, but experts warn of language displacement risks. The British magazine The Economist described the language as "the hipster language of South America," highlighting its resurgence.
The article cites the example of medical classes at the National University of Asunción taught in Guarani, where students learn technical terms such as "pytyvõpya'ehasývape" (first aid) and "ñembovo" (surgery). According to the publication, about 90% of Paraguay's population understands Guarani and nearly 40% speak it daily at home, alongside Spanish, one of the highest bilingualism rates in the world.
The transformation of the language's status has been remarkable. After being scorned by elites in the past, Guarani was recognized as an official language with the 1992 Constitution, and a 2010 law established a bilingual curriculum and public administration. Today, it is possible to vote, marry, and be tried in the language.
Beyond the official sphere, there is cultural effervescence. Beethoven's Ode to Joy was performed in Guarani by the National Symphony Orchestra, influencers produce content about the language on TikTok, and artists incorporate "jopará" – the everyday mix of Guarani and Spanish – into genres like rap and jazz.
However, there is an underlying concern. Arnaldo Casco, an official at the Secretariat of Language Policies (SPL), described to The Economist a "displacement process," in which Guarani speakers are incorporating Spanish due to social, educational, or professional necessity. The British magazine's material states that the percentage of people who speak only Guarani decreased between 2002 and 2022, though it does not cite the exact number.
In a separate article published by the newspaper La Nación, Arnaldo Casco Villalba explores the linguistic and cultural peculiarities of Guarani. According to his article, the language has 33 letters – none silent – and 12 vowels, which contributes to its unique sound. The text also addresses the central concept of "py'a" (stomach), a term that gives rise to words related to emotions and thoughts, such as "py'aguapy" (peace) and "py'akuaa" (empathy).
The SPL (Secretariat of Language Policies) seeks to expand the use of Guarani into all spheres of social life, developing everything from technical dictionaries to poetry, while large-scale language models are being trained in the language. The change in social norms is noticeable, with many Paraguayans who were previously hesitant to speak Guarani now feeling completely free to use it.