Perceptions of the Ethnolinguistic Vitality of the Mapuche Language in the Context of Higher Education in Chile

This article is focused on perceptions of the ethnolinguistic vitality of the Mapuche language in the context of higher education in Chile. Data obtained during a questionnaire survey distributed online and face-to-face among students of two private higher education institutions located in Temuco and Valdivia (n = 175) were processed using Pearson’s chi-square analysis and Cramer's V coefficient. Furthermore, factor analysis was applied to the full set of statements. The views on Mapuche language, specifically its status, were found to be different between university students. The major congruence was observed in terms of teaching Mapudungun in schools. Regarding the representation of Mapudungun in Chilean media, a statistically unprovable difference in responses was found, and there was agreement in opinions between the respondents of both groups. Based on the methods applied, it was possible to confirm the hypothesis that perceptions of the Mapuche language and ethnicity are influenced by views on the status and inclusion of the ethnic group within society.