Language and Society in Early Colonial Peru

Historical research on the relationship between language and society in early colonial Peru reveals significant gaps, particularly regarding Andean languages post-Spanish Conquest. This study addresses these gaps by integrating linguistic contributions with ethnohistorical data to identify speakers of Andean languages and reconstruct their contexts. It examines two key cases: the spread of Quechua along Peru's central coast, including interactions in the Lima valley, and the boundaries of Quechua in the Cuzco region, influenced by Inca resettlement policies that persisted briefly under Spanish rule. Additionally, it explores how indigenous populations in Lima and Cuzco adapted to Spanish linguistic dominance. The research combines published sources with archival data, offering a nuanced understanding of linguistic and societal dynamics during this transitional period.

Ramos, G. (2011). Language and Society in Early Colonial Peru. History and Language in the Andes, 19–38. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230370579_2