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The majority of the Peruvian population speaks the Spanish language, approximately 84% to be exact. Although the Spanish language is roughly the same throughout Peru, a Peruvian from the mountain regions might speak it with a different accent or dialect as oppose to a Peruvian who lives in the coastal city of Lima, the country’s capital. The other official languages of Peru is the Quechua language which descended from the Inca empire and the Aymara language which is a native language spoken by the people of the Andes.

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Before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century there were a few native languages spoken by the various tribes who populated the land that would be known as Peru. The Inca empire introduced the Quechua language to the population and it was the primary language of the natives until the Spanish nearly destroyed it during their conquest. However, the Quechua and the various other native languages are still in use throughout parts of Peru today.

Along with the spoken languages, Peru has their own version of sign language called Peruvian Sign Language or PRL which is taught in seventy schools across the country to the deaf. Hand gestures and jerga, which is a word for Peruvian slang, is also incorporated into Peruvian culture. For example, chela is slang for beer and is often used as an invitation to go drinking. The use of hand gestures and jerga is common place during conversations in Peru.

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Peruvians refer to each other by first name if they are close friends or relatives. However, senior citizens and public officials are referred to by their title and then their last name. Close friends often greet each other by kissing on one cheek and shaking hands upon greeting and departing. They tend to stand close to one another and maintain eye contact throughout the entire conversation.

“The World Factbook: PERU.”Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.

Lewis, M. Paul, Gary F. Simons, and Charles D. Fennig. “Peruvian Sign Language”. Ethnologue: Languages of the World. SIL International, 2016. Web. 26 Sept. 2016

“Peru Gestures and Greetings”. Country Reports. Country Reports, 2016. Web. 26 Sept. 2016

 Romey, Jared and Romey, Babel. “Non-Verbal Peruvian Spanish Slang Expressions: 9 Common Gestures Infographic and Videos”. Speaking Latino. Speaking Latino, 2013. Web. 26 Sept 2016.

“Peruvian Slang Words and Phrases”. How to Peru. How to Peru, 2016. Web. 26 Sept 2016.

Ager, Simion. “Quechua language, alphabet, and pronunciation”. Omniglot. Omniglot, 2016. Web. 26 Sept 2016.

Malik, Soumya. “Planning To Trot The Globe? Before You Do That, Learn These Hand Gestures”. PostPickle. Postpickle, 2016. Web. 26 Sept 2016.