Live & Learn Quechua
Audio Lessons Software Translation Dictionaries Exercise Books Flashcards Video & Media Learn Online Immersion Culture Corner Quechua (Runa Simi) is a truly fascinating and yet challenging language to learn. One of the difficulties is that there is little available in terms of written material. However with the advancement of technology and the interent a lot more resources are becoming available. We've unearthed the best Quechua learning resources to help you on your mission to communicate with the indigenous peoples of South America. This page includes information and advice on learning Quechua through audio lessons, language learning software, dictionaries, exercise books and much more... Did you know? The following English words come from Quechua: coco, condor, gaucho, lama, puma and quinoa. Useful Phrases Allillanchu? (How are you?) Allillanmi allillantagmi (I'm fine) Ima sutiiki (What;s your name?) Sutiymi Sutiyqa Michaelem (My name is Michael) Sinchitan anaychayki (thankyou so much) Juq ratukama (See you later)
Language SynopsisAlso known as Runa Simi, Quechua is the most widely spoken of all native South American languages. The different dialects of the language had already been established for a long time in the central Andes when the Incas arrived. They made the Classic dialect the official administration language of their empire. Until the introduction of the latin alphabet with the arrival of the Spaniards in the Sixteenth Century, the language had no written alphabet. The incas kept track of numerical data by using quipu strings. Today it is spoken in different regional forms by over 10 million people in South America, including areas of Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador northern Chile and NW Argentina. The language is one of the official languages of Peru and Bolivia along with Spanish and Aymara. One of the main challenges in learning this fascinating language is that there is little written material available. This means that it remains a principally oral language. Below is a map showing where the different dialects are spoken in South America.
II-A = Yunqay II-B = Northern II-C = Southern (descendant of Classic dialect)
Audio LessonsThere isn't much available in terms of audio lessons for this language. See the free resources below, and see our Learn Online section for advice on how to practise speaking the language online. Internet Freebies Quechua.org.uk provide a very useful guide for pronouncing numbers and basic words in the different dialects. Click on the words and listen to how they're pronounced. Andes.org provide a free pronunciation guide where you can download the different sounds of the language.
Photo kindly provided by Paul & Shelly Markham, Perth, AustraliaQuechua Language SoftwareThere isn't much out there in terms of language learning software for this language. However, the few products that are available will serve as an excellent introduction to the language, allowing you to pick up some essential phrases. 
101 Languages of the World is an excellent language learning resource if you're a beginner to the language. The software uses games, listening activities and pronunciation analysis to help you grasp the basics of th language. It also includes includes a free multilingual word processor: the Unitype GlobalWriter. This allows you to type in Quechua; get spell checking, thesauruses, character sets, and more (for Windows only).
This is a great resource for any traveller as it allows you to learn the basics of 101 languages, not only the Andean ones. Quechua-English DictionariesWebsters provide the only easily obtainable Quechua-English dictionary. It is available in three dialects: Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia.
Websters Quechua-English Thesaurus Dictionary
Websters EcuadorQuechua-English Thesaurus Dictionary Websters BolivianQuechua - English Thesaurus Dictionary
Internet FreebiesQuechua-Network provide a useful free English-Quechua/Quechua-English dictionary. Click here for another useful dictionary with many entries. Exercise and Phrasebooks
As the Incas had no writing system, Runa Simi was and has remained as mostly an oral language. This means there is very little in terms of written material for learning the language. The following book is therefore very valuable if you're learning the language.
Lonely Planet Quechua Phrasebook:
Internet FreebiesAlthough there is little from the book publishing industry for learning this language, there is a lot of information available free on the internet. Alphabet The Runasimi alphabet is based on the Latin alphabet. Go to Wikipedia to see the full alphabet. Grammar Wikipedia provide the most detailed analysis of this langauge's grammar available on the net. Free 12 lessons course: This fantastic site provides a free 12 lesson course and takes a very grammatical approach, tackiling the many prefixes and suffixes of the language. Each word can be listened to on an audio clip. Andes.org also provide free grammar lessons. Reading Material Read the Gospel of Luke in three different dialects on Andes.org. Watchtower.org provide reading material about the basic teachings of the Bible. A comparison of the texts with the English can help language aquisition. The material is available on their website in five different dialects: Ancash, Ayacucho, Boliviano, Cuzaco and Quichua (Ecuatorian). Language FlashcardsWe are happy to offer free flashcards in any language, please see our Flash Cards page for more information.
Video & MediaHere is a lovely video of a little girl and some friends (later on) singing in Quechua... it seems as though her friends ruin it abit for her though.
And here are some videos of a traditional dance:
Learn OnlineUnless you live in South America it can be very difficult to practise speaking the language. However, with the dawn of online communciation there are now several sites where you can practise speaking online. The sites puts you in touch with native speakers who want to learn your language. You simply contact them and arrange a time to practise with eachother online. You can also practise writing by e-mailing. The following sites provide the service:
Language Schools and ImmersionCactus Language provide 12 week courses in Cuzco the capital of the Inca Empire. The courses can be tailored to your needs, and also come with the option of living with a Quechua-speaking family throughout your stay. Wiracocha provide beginners, intermediate and advanced courses. Typically a 20 hour course costs $100. The language school is based in Cuzco. Acupari Language School provide one-to-one lessons. They take a slightly different approach and centre the learning around interaction with the locals. Your teacher takes you to markets and village communities to practise by direct communication. Sustainable Language School in Cochabamba, Bolivia, provide lessons at $7 per hour. The school is geared toward socially and ecologically minded students.
Andean Culture CornerUseful PhrasesAndes.org provide lots of phrases that might come in useful. Some of the words also include audio clips.
Cultural QuirksGrowing Up in a Culture of Respect: Child Rearing in Highland Peru
FoodAll Recipes provide plenty of traditional Peruvian recipes. Inca Food provides an interesting history of Inca food between 1300 and 1500.
Traditional MusicListen to traditional Andean music by clicking on the tracks below:
HistoryThe Incas (Peoples of America) Wikipedia provide an excellent summary of the Inca history.
Help Others Live and LearnHave you had the experience of learning this ancient South American language? If so we'd love to hear how you did it. Which resources did you find useful? How did you go about learning pronunciation and language structure? Please e-mail us your suggestions using the form below.
Photos kindly provided by Paul & Shelly Markham, Perth, Australia |
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This easy to use reference book comes complete with grammar explanations and shows how words are built, with prefixes, suffixes etc. At only $7.99 this book is a must have for anybody learning Quechua!
provides a unique and fascinating insight into Andean culture. The book looks at child rearing practices in the Andes.
is probably one of the best Inca history books published. The book considers the full span of Inca history - from their remote beginnings as a small settlement on the edge of Lake Titicaca, to their rapid demise six centuries later by the hand of the Spaniards.
