Thank you to our wonderful speakers, attendees, and all who made Multilingüe a success.

Check out some of the other events and programs by the TDC and The One Club For Creativity

November 9th - November 11th

Writing And Typography For Native Languages From Latin America

The adjective multilingual refers to someone who speaks different languages or communicates in different languages, under this concept we have created this space called "Multilingüe" from where we need to listen carefully to the voices of those who from their trenches publish books, write and research and They design typefaces for the native languages of North, Central and South America. Our mission is to talk about how communities work in modernity and what tools and resources they use to conserve, promote and revitalize native languages, helping to preserve the rich linguistic diversity of the American continent.

Multilingüe will take place between November 9th and 11th online where we will have the opportunity to meet a wide group of representatives from the Chatino, Mixe, Ngiba, Nahua and Zapotec nations and representatives coming from Mexico, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and that come together to talk about the challenges and achievements related to design and work with native languages. In the same way, the congress will be held in Spanish, Portuguese and English, with simultaneous translation.

Conference Schedule

Speaker schedule is subject to change

Time Zone: (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) [Change Time Zone]
12:00PM
12:00pm-12:10 pm

The adjective multilingual refers to someone who speaks different languages or communicates in different languages, under this concept we have created this space called "Multilingüe" from where we need to listen carefully to the voices of those who from their trenches publish books, write, and research and They design typefaces for the native languages of North, Central and South America. Our mission is to talk about how communities work in modernity and what tools and resources they use to conserve, promote and revitalize native languages, helping to preserve the rich linguistic diversity of the American continent.

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12:10PM
12:10pm-12:40 pm
Type Design

The presentation will describe some experiences designing typefaces and other tools for the Ayuujk language and other Mexican languages, taking into account linguistic and design aspects.

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12:40PM
12:40pm-1:10 pm
Type Design

Our common object of desire is the word, the letters, the writing. I observe them from the perspective of a discipline that exists within the chain of wills and knowledge that keep languages alive and visible: typography design. In this field of study, typography assists language in making alphabets accessible to its user readers/writers. Speech and writing are different forms of communication, each with its virtues and limitations, its internal codes, and specific fields of study, but in constant interaction.

During this meeting, I would like to tell you how I approach a typeface design project that addresses the issues of a language or how the search for this methodology led me to develop chronologies of typographic representation of nasal vowels and plosives in Guaraní vocabularies and grammars.

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1:10PM
1:10pm-1:40 pm
Editors / Education / Tools

Exhibition on how reflection on practice, applied research, and a critical perspective on the most prevalent historical narratives enable the development of the body of knowledge in the discipline and highlight the potentialities and shortcomings that persist in Latin America. Presentation of how the curriculum of the Master's Degree in Typography at the University of Buenos Aires addresses the languages of the region, exemplified by two projects that have explored multilingualism.

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1:40PM
1:40pm-2:10 pm
Editors / Education / Tools

Books, as we know them today, have a long history on our continent. With the arrival of the Spaniards and the imposition of new governments, a long and complex process of adaptation to new cultural systems began, which included the adaptation of the spoken languages in the new territories to alphabetical writing. Today, this process highlights the power of the written word in the colonization of speech.

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2:10PM
Marco Martínez
Mtro., Kumoontun A. C. / Rising voices
Marco Martinez / Nëk-Önïk
2:10pm-2:40 pm
Editors / Education / Tools

Reflections on the creation of materials for children in the Ayöök language of Santa María Ocotepec.

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2:40PM
Mitzy Juárez Juárez
Licenciada en Diseño gráfico/ Especialista en Diseño editorial, Grupo Comunitario Xadeni/ Editorial Semilla corazón
Mitzy Juárez / Experiences and Challenges of Publishing in Indigenous Languages of Oaxaca
2:40pm-3:10 pm
Editors / Education / Tools

We will discuss the processes and complexities of self-publishing in indigenous languages, starting from our experience in editing "Teki txri natxrixa ku rxi tatxrixa," the first illustrated children's book in Chocholteco-Ngiba. Topics to be covered include the conception of the publishing project, publication design, the process of obtaining an ISBN for a book in an indigenous language in Mexico, and how distribution was carried out. We will conclude with a brief explanation of the adaptation process (in terms of design) for translations into three other indigenous languages in Oaxaca and the importance of these processes being conducted from a community perspective.

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3:10PM
3:10pm-3:40 pm
Editors / Education / Tools

About my work as a graphic designer in Linguistic Landscape projects in Oaxaca, involving Zapotec and Chatino languages.

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3:40PM
3:40pm-4:10 pm
Alphabets / Normalization

In this talk, aspects related to the creation and use of monolingual texts in indigenous languages will be addressed. These texts can be incorporated into processes of supporting child literacy in school or community settings where there is a presence of various languages and cultures.

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4:10PM
Dr. Hilaria Cruz
Comparative Humanities Department at the University of Louisville
Hilaria Cruz / Alpha, Beta, ChaqF tnyaJ: superscripting tones in the Chatino languages
4:10pm-4:40 pm
Alphabets / Normalization

I will talk about the need to promote collaborations between designers, community linguists, and language activists to strengthen, revitalize, and promote endangered languages. Indigenous languages in Mexico and around the world have been systematically discriminated against and deprived of their rights. In schools (both public and private), for example, speakers are still forced to learn to read, write, and speak only in European languages: Spanish, English, and Portuguese. These hegemonic patterns have contributed to the dehumanization, devaluation, and rapid loss of these languages. Collaboration among those interested in maintaining the linguistic diversity of the world could help elevate the knowledge, ingenuity, and inherent beauty of these languages.

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12:10PM
12:10pm-12:40 pm
Alphabets / Normalization

If colonial publishing in New Spain has a particularity, it refers to the printed production in indigenous languages because, unlike other viceroyalties, publishing in the native languages of Mexico was entirely carried out in local presses. Of all the languages in which books were produced, the Otomi language probably posed the greatest challenges to colonial workshops. This essay presents an overview of the four printed editions produced in that language throughout the colonial period, with a focus on the three from the 18th century. Due to their typographic and editorial nature, these editions allow us to appreciate the composition and text care processes to which the texts were subjected.

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12:40PM
Yásnaya Elena Aguilar Gil
Writer, linguist, translator, researcher and Ayuujk (Mixe) activist, Colectivo Mixe (COLMIX)
Yásnaya Elena Aguilar / Alphabets and orthographic systems for indigenous languages: Some challenges.
12:40pm-1:10 pm
Alphabets / Normalization

Throughout the last century, there has been a revival of the written tradition in indigenous languages. This has involved the creation of alphabets and orthographic systems, sparking very interesting discussions that highlight the challenges of these processes. This presentation will discuss some of the main challenges that indigenous languages face in the development of written usage.

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1:10PM
1:10pm-1:40 pm
Type Design

This lecture will present key ideas behind Rafael Dieztsch's doctoral research on the typography of Brazilian indigenous languages The main idea of this doctoral research is to provide a framework for the study of the typography of Brazilian indigenous languages, a topic on which there is little research and little scientific documentation. The thesis addresses this gap from the perspective of visual communication, describing the state-of-the-art in practice, and proposing a method for developing writing technologies for these languages.

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1:40PM
1:40pm-2:10 pm
Type Design

Grounded in the rich symbolism of the snake deeply rooted in the indigenous cultures of Latin America. In this talk, we will discover the results of a fascinating exploration, focused on the design of a modular system as a starting point for the creation of letters and illustrations that seek to capture a small portion of the region's rich cultural heritage. Furthermore, we will explore the intricate fusion between ancestral worldviews and contemporary technological tools, providing participants with the opportunity to observe, learn, and analyze an approach to the historical legacy that emanates from our past. Through this journey, we will learn about the creative process that the designer undergoes to obtain an inexhaustible set of expressive and versatile typographic resources that, in turn, weave an immersive and playful narrative.

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2:10PM
2:10pm-2:40 pm
Editors / Education / Tools

Historical, anthropological, and technological connections identified and analyzed in various subjects related to native languages in the Master's in Typography program at the University of Buenos Aires.

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2:40PM
2:40pm-3:10 pm
Editors / Education / Tools

A look at the languages in Mexico through data visualization.

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3:10PM
3:10pm-3:30 pm

Dilemmas: To represent or not to represent tones in the Chatino languages

In recent years, more Chatino speakers have shown interest in writing their language. The main challenge is how to represent the tones, especially in the Eastern Chatino variety of San Juan Quiahije, which has 12 contrastive tones. In this presentation, I will discuss some proposals for representing the tones in a more pedagogical way to expedite the reading and writing process for Chatino speakers.

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3:40PM
3:40pm-4:10 pm
Editors / Education / Tools

I will share about my experience designing from a community environment, to preserve and disseminate knowledge that has been passed down orally in the Tu'un Savi language. I will talk about the importance of taking the time to observe, share, and accompany creative processes that arise from the need to recognize and redefine identity, beyond the folkloric.

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4:10PM
4:10pm-4:40 pm
Editors / Education / Tools

In this presentation, I will introduce a series of tools for coordinating the translation and revision of texts from Spanish into multiple national languages to assist the Mexican government in publishing texts in various indigenous languages.

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12:10PM
12:10pm-12:40 pm
Type Design

In this presentation, I will talk about the collective typographic project that we developed at LABIC Colombia to help revitalize the Woun Meu language of the Wounaan community. This collective work that was raised by the hand of teachers, educators, designers, and typographers, I want to comment on the experience, achievements, and limitations of it.

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12:40PM
12:40pm-1:10 pm
Alphabets / Normalization

The presentation will focus on the experience and reflections of Colmix in the creation and design of reading and teaching materials for the Mixe language. When we are aware of the readership of the texts, we pay more attention to visual characteristics such as font size and typography. In the case of Mixe, there are some specific aspects to consider, such as digraphs and diacritics. Developing texts with identity and the highest quality directly affects the perception of speakers regarding their language.

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1:10PM
1:10pm-1:40 pm
Type Design

It will be about the design process of a typeface family to be used in educational bilingual texts in Pumé Maé and Spanish.

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1:40PM
1:40pm-2:10 pm
Type Design

During my master's in type design at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, Netherlands, I delved into the world of writing for indigenous languages. This research culminated in the project 'Tuhun: A Typographic Exploration of the Mixtec Language.' I will share aspects of the process, as well as some reflections on the current state of design, considering that, more than answering how, designers should address why and for what purpose.

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2:10PM
2:10pm-2:40 pm
Type Design

During the late 1990s and 2000s, Brazil experienced a rapid increase in universities, including both public and for-profit institutions. This expansion led to the creation of new Graphic Design programs, events, and publishers.

In 2003, Henrique Nardi initiated an educational project called "Tipocracia: Typographic State” with the aim of promoting typographic culture in Brazil. The project offered courses, lectures, and events, and donated typography and design books to universities. Recognizing the need for typographic education among graphic design students, Henrique started traveling throughout the country to offer talks and a crash course on type anatomy, history, letter drawing, and font usage. To date, the Tipocracia project has taught over 150 workshops in seventeen Brazilian states and abroad.

Over the years, the Tipocracia project has expanded to include a range of educational activities, such as documentary screenings, exhibits, workshops for children, book donations, and more than a dozen typography conferences.

As the Tipocracia project celebrates its 20th anniversary, it provides an opportunity to reflect on the growth and expansion of the Brazilian typographic scene.

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3:10PM
3:10pm-3:40 pm
Editors / Education / Tools

A reflection on graphic design projects guided by the choice and use of typefaces, such as in editorial projects in the Yanomami language and in visual identities for festivals and Visual Arts exhibitions in Brazil.

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3:40PM
Gabriela Badillo
Directora Creativa, Hola Combo / 68 voces-68 corazones
Gabriela Badillo / The need of an open and inclusive typography
3:40pm-4:10 pm
Editors / Education / Tools

Reflection on the incredible but also challenging nature of designing graphic materials for indigenous communities.

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4:10PM
4:10pm-4:40 pm
Editors / Education / Tools

The names of the riverine wooden boats from the Brazilian Amazon are painted in a specific style with colorful and ornate lettering, with strong influences of 19th century decorative lettering. It is a knowledge that passes from father to son and continues until today. Over 15 years we have carried out research and educational activities with the participation of painters. In 2021, a book was published about the project and the knowledge of letter painters, which has been used for educational purposes, along with documentaries and workshops on this Brazilian intangible heritage.

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Time Zone: (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada) [Change Time Zone]

Speakers

Multilingüe includes presentations and panels with leading native researchers and linguists, as well as non-native designers working in partnership with native communities.

Writer, linguist, translator, researcher and Ayuujk (Mixe) activist
Colectivo Mixe (COLMIX)
Linguist and Translator
Directora Creativa
Hola Combo / 68 voces-68 corazones
Arquitecto
RNS Fonts
Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro
Profesor
Universidad de Buenos Aires
Dra.
CIESAS-CDMX
Comparative Humanities Department at the University of Louisville
Professor
Universidade de Brasília
Graphic Designer and Researcher
Mtra
Tipastype
Ku'u Savi Casa Editorial
Dr.
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Técnica
Huerta Tipográfica, Hay Futura
LDG
COLMIX, CEDELIO
Licenciada en Diseño gráfico/ Especialista en Diseño editorial
Grupo Comunitario Xadeni/ Editorial Semilla corazón
Mtro.
Estudio Cuatro Ojos
Estudio Polímata
Mtro.
Kumoontun A. C. / Rising voices
Mapinguari Design
MA
Molde.cc
Maestro / MFA in Visual Arts
Tipocracia
Profesora
Universidad de Buenos Aires
Innovando la Tradición
Ediciones Xospatronik
Magister
Amuki

About This Conference

Multilingüe is part of the series of conferences organized by the Type Directors Club, who had already organized Ezhishin last fall, keeping that spirit in this opportunity we have a team of co-organizers headed by Sandra García, graphic designer, teacher and typographer from Colombia and Manuel López Rocha typographer, teacher and researcher who has worked on the design and development of various typography design projects for indigenous languages in Mexico.

The design of our logo is the responsibility of Vanesa Zúñiga, an Ecuadorian designer who, with her graphics, has put the design of the native communities in the eye of the global design community, generating a reflection around the graphic plasticity of the native communities of the American continent.

Mtro.
Estudio Cuatro Ojos