The nobodies and the majority: beyond the language that many know

The statements made by Francia Márquez in recent days have given something to talk about because of the use of language it has implemented, after being ratified as the vice-presidential formula of Gustavo Petro. In her statements highlighting the role of the Soy Porque Somos movement and its country project, particular notes also emerged, as women referred to two terms that are unusual for the language of Colombians, highlighting the words “majoras” and “nobody”, some sectors of the opposition stated that this leader was running over language, however, it is enough to investigate in depth to find the root of these concepts.

One of the main figures in refuting the position of Francia Márquez was that of the congresswoman for the Democratic Center and president of the Global Parliament for Tolerance and Peace, Margarita Restrepo, the Antioquia emphasized that it was not necessary to speak strange to be heard, adding that the language should be respected. Restrepo's claims initially caused an impact, noting: “Elders and majors, Nobody and Nadias, People and Persons. God save Colombia!” .

Although there are different rules within the Castilian language for the proper use of the language, it is also clear that history has left a strong legacy. Within ancestral concepts and indigenous peoples, language has different particularities and the meaning of certain words can change significantly based on the appropriation that these social niches consider giving it.

Although, within the Spanish language, many people incorrectly use the reference “nobody” by pronouncing it as “nobody”, the Uruguayan writer and journalist Eduardo Galeano explains it in a deeper way, referring to the classes forgotten and submerged under the yoke of society's height, since the author of the book Las Venas The Latin American Open, through a poem, defines this term in the following way: “No one; nobody's children, the owners of anything, who speak not languages, but dialects, who profess not religions but superstitions, who do not make art, but crafts, who do not practice culture, but folklore, which are not human beings, but resources human beings, who have no face, but arms, which have no name, but numbers, which do not appear in universal history, but in the red chronicle of the local press. The nobodies, the ones that cost less than the bullet that kills them.”

Although, according to the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language, it states that this is an unused term today, it is configured as the way in which the elder's wife is referred to, and it is part of the historical language data in different territories. Francia Márquez went out explaining that this reference was aimed at women you knew, those who have ethical and moral authority to guide the course of each of their peoples.

Other reactions

Senator Iván Cepeda reproached the criticism against Petro's formula, noting: “The Royal Spanish Academy contemplates the use of the word “mayora”. However, some are shameless because Francia Márquez says “older and older”, but they shamelessly use language to insult, lie and incite violence.”

For her part, the indigenous leader and elected congressman Aida Quilcue, explained this term from the ancestrality of indigenous peoples, and even threw darts for those who do not respect the traditions of their culture, the representative said: “Greater and Greater words of great significance to millennial peoples. They express great respect for people with the wisdom of life, they are NOT words that are used for linguistic fashion. But it's reasonable that many don't understand it, because Respect is something they don't know.”

At the same time, an indigenous Wayuu and elected Senator Martha Peralta Epieyú, warned that, in the face of the eventual change in the National Government, it will be those forgotten communities that will legislate the nation, in contrast to this he said: “Let them get used to it because with #PactoHistorico the indigenous people and the Afro people will legislate and govern this country. Leave behind your racism on the microphones, it's time for Eduardo Galeano's “nobodies”.” .

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