‘Mother Tongue’: Filmmaker to discuss quest to save Quechua language

Internationally recognized director and producer Dr. Gabina Funegra will present “Mother Tongue,” her award-winning documentary that chronicles her quest to save Quechua, the ancient Inca language, at Rowan University on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

The event, which begins at 12:30 p.m. in Pfleeger Concert Hall, Wilson Hall, is free and open to the public.

In the film, Funegra uses participatory visual ethnography to explore the state of Quechua worldwide, as well as strategies for its revival and maintenance. Today, Quechua is being promoted in cities around the world—from Paris to Cusco to New York City to Glassboro.

The film has been presented internationally, including to the United Nations, the University of New South Wales in Australia, and at the Peruvian Film Festival in Paris.

At 50 minutes, “Mother Tongue” is a montage of four of Funegra’s films. They include: “Quechua in New York” (2016); “Quechua in Cusco” (2013); “Quechua in Paris” (2012); and “Quechua: The Fading Inca Language” (2010).

In 2015, Funegra presented “Quechua: The Fading Inca Language” at Rowan. Footage from that visit was incorporated into “Mother Tongue.” In 2017, Funegra earned her Ph.D. from the University of New South Wales in Sydney.

Her appearance at Rowan is sponsored by the Department of World Languages. For information, contact Dr. Marilyn Manley, department chair, at  manley@rowan.edu.