Os Munduruku, os Wai Wai e o português-acadêmico: uma conversa sobre dificuldades, superações e ações afirmativas linguísticas

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a scientific research upon the challenges related to the Portuguese language that impact the permanence of the Wai Wai and the Munduruku indigenous people in the undergraduate courses of the Federal University of Western Pará. It presents as well strategies that are being used and have been used to overcome such challenges, in addition to strategies that they also exhibit, such as linguistic affirmative actions, to meet the literacy practices required at the university. The Wai Wai are people of the Karib language and culture. Its members, in Brazil, live in the States of Pará, Amazonas and Roraima, with a population of approximately 3,500 people, inhabitants of the Indigenous Lands of Nhamundá- Mapuera, Trombetas-Mapuera and Wai Wai. The Munduruku people are of Tupí language and culture. Its members live in three Brazilian states: Pará, Amazonas and Mato Grosso and its population totals around 12,000 people, who are distributed in various territories. The data that served as the basis for our description and reflection was obtained through interviews with 04 students from the Munduruku people and 04 from the Wai Wai people. The analysis of the content of their speeches shows that all, besides being speakers of their mother tongues, are fluent in Portuguese, but have difficulties to express themselves in the Portuguese-academic variety, in oral language and in writing. Nevertheless, they are resistant, resilient and use several alternatives to stay at the university. The data collected also show that there is a need to expand opportunities and value indigenous students in higher education. The difficulties, the strategies to overcome them and the survey of actions that can improve their communicative interaction and their inclusion in the university space will be presented in this work.