José Miguel Ortiz

José Miguel Ortiz is a high school Spanish language and literature teacher and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Latin American studies at the University of Chile. His master’s research focuses on the role of linguistics experts who worked on indigenous languages during the Pinochet dictatorship. He also has a degree in Hispanic linguistics and literature from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.

After obtaining his teaching degree, he worked in the Wallmapu, Mapuche territory. After working for a time in a rural school in Tirúa, he settled in the city of Temuco where he currently resides. The time he has lived in Wallmapu has allowed him to learn some Mapudungun, the Mapuche language, and work with Mapuche organizations focused on the revitalization, promotion, and teaching of Mapudungun. José has also collaborated on research projects related to the production of grammatical, ethnographic, and religious materials on the Mapuche language from a historical perspective.

Education

• BA, Hispanic Linguistics and Literature, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile