Maria Esperanza Torres

Peruvian anthropologist preserving indigenous languages through digital archives

Maria Esperanza Torres (b. 1978) is a Quechua linguist revolutionizing language preservation in the Andes. Since 2003, she has created the Tukuy Wasi Digital Archive, documenting 27 endangered Andean languages. Her team developed the Quechua Language App, now used by 500,000+ learners worldwide. Torres' work was featured in National Geographic's 'Language Geniuses' series (2018).

Her groundbreaking 《Digital Revival: Saving Indigenous Voices》 (2021) outlines strategies for linguistic preservation. Torres also founded the Yanakuna Institute, training indigenous youth as language technologists. Her UNICEF partnership (2016-2020) expanded digital literacy programs across Peru's rural regions.