Innovación lingüística y preservación cultural: Aplicaciones de la traducción automática en el idioma shuar en contextos comunitarios amazónicos

The integration of machine translation technologies into Indigenous languages represents a key tool for the preservation of linguistic and cultural heritage among native peoples. This study examines the impact and potential of machine translation applied to the Shuar language, using the case of the Centro Shuar Sevilla located in Morona Santiago, Ecuador, as a reference. Through a qualitative and ethnographic approach, the research identifies the benefits and challenges of implementing technological tools in educational and community settings in the Amazon region. Findings reveal that such technologies not only enhance intercultural communication but also contribute to linguistic revitalization and cultural empowerment. Nonetheless, the study highlights the urgent need to develop systems that are more attuned to the grammatical and semantic particularities of Shuar, involving native speakers and specialists in Indigenous linguistics in the design process.