Análisis léxico-semántico de los términos utilizados en la alimentación en el cantón Nabón

Abstract

The conception of food has been a realm that generates meanings, significances, and symbols. Therefore, the topic of food transcends as a social, temporal, and spatial act, which can be evidenced through oral tradition, among other means. These perspectives are observed to a greater extent in rural populations of Azuay provinces, such as Nabón. For this reason, we ask ourselves, what are the particularities of the language used in relation to food? This aims to conduct a lexical-semantic analysis of the terms surrounding this cultural sign. To achieve this, we employed a methodology from a sociolinguistic perspective, involving the collection of terms and the creation of a glossary. The results revealed that Kichwa heritage remains largely present; however, these expressions have also undergone Castilianization, which allows them to persist in speech. Additionally, the use of colloquialisms and terms of endearment prevails in information transmission. The study of variation demonstrated the ancestral richness in food preparation, a process encompassing resources such as raw materials, processes, states, utensils, beverages, desserts, and dishes—all part of the agrifood and linguistic heritage of the canton. This research is part of the "Material Culture, Practices, Social Meanings, and Narratives around Cañari Food" research project at the University of Cuenca.