ABSTRACT
Paraguay is often called by its citizens the heart of South America, because of its landlocked position in the center of South America and national pride in its cultural riches. About 95 percent of the population is of mixed Spanish and Guaraní Indian descent. Though little else of Guaraní culture has survived, the Guaraní language has left a strong mark, and its use is a focus of national pride. Most of the population is bilingual; 90 percent of the population speak Guaraní, and 75 percent speak Spanish. Widespread bilingualism has led to frequent mixing of the languages, creating a linguistic hybrid, Jopará. Racial and linguistic mixtures contribute to the ethnic, cultural, and social homogeneity of the population. This homogeneity, in turn, contributes to a strong sense of cultural identity, often expressed in music.
