Linguapax is a non-governmental organization created in 1987 in Barcelona to contribute to the preservation and promotion of linguistic diversity in the world. Every year, it awards linguists, researchers, professors, or members of the civil society whose activities in this domain were distinct and praise-worthy.

This year, the Linguapax prize was bestowed on Jon Landaburu Illarramendi (1943, Paris).

A trained linguist and philosopher, Jon Landaburu has split his time between France, where he directed the laboratory at CELIA: (Center of American Indigenous Languages Studies) within the CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research), and Colombia. There, he became a specialist in this country’s languages which he studied and in which he became fully immersed to the point that he became an emblematic figure for their protection. He is particularly known for training Colombians to pursue the documentation and revitalization work that he began.

On a political level, he played an active role in diverse governmental programs designed to promote these languages. At the request of the country’s then president, he participated in the translation of the Colombian constitution in diverse regional languages. We also attribute him, in collaboration with the Columbian Ministry of Culture, with the initiative of Law 1381 (2010) which aims to guarantee the preservation and use of 68 of the country’s indigenous languages.

Today Jon Landaburu continues to advise local and international Colombian institutions, and he is consulted by numerous communities. It is a tribute to his professional and personal involvement in protecting minority Columbian languages that the Liguapax prize is awarded to him this year.

The prize will be given to him next May on the 21st in Barcelona.