Adaptation of the periodic table to kichwa: an ecuadorian native language

Abstract

Minorities’ languages face transformation processes and struggle against many social and linguistic limitations. Education systems in these languages are not optimal to promote the teaching of ancestral knowledge and scientific research. This is the case of Kichwa, an Ecuadorian native language that more than half-million people speak with different variations among the country. Kichwa lacks science tools to respond to educational needs, unleashing the gradual loss of intercultural diversity. The adaptation of the periodic table to Kichwa was developed in this work, taking into account its different language variations and the Kichwa speaker’s opinion to ensure the acceptance of this scientific tool. This research aims to break barriers in the development and conservation of indigenous people’s intellect by promoting Kichwa deep-rooted writing and enhancing an excellent bilingual intercultural education system in Ecuador.