The scientific dissemination of grammatical studies of Indigenous languages and their contribution to metalinguistic awareness

Resumo

The central goal of this paper is to argue that the scientific dissemination of grammatical studies on Indigenous languages can promote the development of metalinguistic awareness among Portuguese speakers in their native language. In this sense, the text is propositive in nature; that is, based on our reflection, we establish suggestions for a research agenda and practical actions aimed at the popularization of grammatical studies. The article follows the following structure: initially, we address the scientific dissemination of Linguistics in the Brazilian context. Next, we discuss aspects of phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics, based on data from four Indigenous languages: Makuxi (Karib), Kaingang (Macro-Jê), Ticuna (isolate), and Karitiana (Tupi). Once this stage is completed, we move on to demonstrate how to promote popularization. To stimulate reflection on language, we propose two dissemination strategies: one activity to be carried out in the classroom and one social media post aimed at popularizing linguistics. Through the combination of these stages, we propose that, as linguists, we incorporate the goal of developing metalinguistic awareness into our field’s science communication strategies. Thus, we argue that a study such as this, which aims to disseminate grammatical studies on Indigenous languages to develop the metalinguistic awareness of Portuguese speakers in their native language, can contribute to the population’s scientific literacy and to the educational context, especially in relation to writing.