Languages of Cuyo could make a comeback
With their traditional home in the Cuyo region of what is now Argentina, the Huarpe (also Warpe) are an indigenous people who were, until recently, considered extinct or culturally assimilated into mainstream Argentinian culture. Nevertheless, in recent years communities ave begun to self-identify as belonging to this historical people, reclaiming elements of their traditional culture and their land.
Though no longer spoken by their community, there are historical records for two related languages or dialects spoken by Huarpe people at the turn of the 17th century. These languages are known as Millcayac and Allentiac, and were described by Fr. Luis de Valdivia. These materials, of huge significance for the Huarpe people, are being studied by a team of researchers at the University of Chile, led by Felipe Hasler, who are also working with contemporary communities in their efforts to link these languages to their cultural heritage.
Valdivia's two works, published in 1607, will be incorporated of the CHiCo-SC database, with the help of Hasler and his team.