Restivo, Pablo (1658-1740)

The name of the Sicilian missionary Pablo Restivo (1658-1740) stands out among those of the Jesuits who, in the context of the socially stable and prosperous reductions in Paraguay at the end of the 18^th century, were working to train the indigenous peoples in new activities, including language studies, copying manuscripts and the reissue of linguistic works. His writings considerably develop those of his predecessor, Antonio Ruiz de Montoya (who had established the foundations of Guarani as lingua franca), indicating linguistic changes in the missionary context but also regional variations of the spoken Guarani.

Keywords: Linguistics | Christian missions | Missionary | Colonialism | Jesuits | 18^th century | Paraguay | Guarani | Catholicism