The indigenous languages of today's Costa Rica

Abstract

The indigenous population of Costa Rica amounts to 63,876 persons distributed among eight indigenous ethnic groups: huetar, guatuso, chorotega, bribri, cabecar, boruca, guaymi and teribe. In this paper is presented their territorial and ethnic distribution, their origins and history, the genetic affiliation of their languages and their present state. The institutions, investigations and programs whose efforts are oriented to the revitalization of their languages and the reclamation of their ethnic rights are also pointed out.