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Chapacuran language family
Where are the Chapacuran languages spoken?
These languages are spoken in the north-eastern part of the Amazon Basin, in Brazil and Bolivia.
Total number of speakers (estimates)
Around 2,800 according to the UNESCO
Around 2,250 according to the figures provided by Aikhenvald & Dixon (A&D, 1999)
Classification
The Chapacuran language family counts between 3 and 5 active langugues at this point, depending on sources.
More: 76 speakers according to the UNESCO, a few speakers according to A&D
Oro Win: 5 speakers according to the UNESCO, 40 according to A&D
Torá: extinct according to the UNESCO, 250 according to A&D
Urupá: extinct according to the UNESCO, 150 according to A&D
Wari’: 2,721 according to the UNESCO, 1,800 according to A&D
Notes on the Chapacuran languages classification
We hereby follow the classification established by Aikhenvald & Dixon (1999).
Are the Chapacuran languages endangered?
The Chapacuran languages are all seriously endangered.
Urupá and Torá possibly disappeared recently, according to the UNESCO, More and Oro Win are probably about to disappear. Chances are high that Wari’ is or will very soon be the only active language left in this family, though it is also seriously threatened.
Sources
Dixon, R.M.W. & Aikhenvald, A.Y. “Other small families and isolates” in The Amazonian languages, R.M.W. Dixon and Alexandra Y. Aikhenvald, Cambridge University Press (1999).
Chapacuran language family
Where are the Chapacuran languages spoken?
These languages are spoken in the north-eastern part of the Amazon Basin, in Brazil and Bolivia.
Total number of speakers (estimates)
Around 2,800 according to the UNESCO
Around 2,250 according to the figures provided by Aikhenvald & Dixon (A&D, 1999)
Classification
The Chapacuran language family counts between 3 and 5 active langugues at this point, depending on sources.
More: 76 speakers according to the UNESCO, a few speakers according to A&D
Oro Win: 5 speakers according to the UNESCO, 40 according to A&D
Torá : extinct according to the UNESCO, 250 according to A&D
Urupá: extinct according to the UNESCO, 150 according to A&D
Wari’: 2,721 according to the UNESCO, 1,800 according to A&D
Notes on the Chapacuran languages classification
We hereby follow the classification established by Aikhenvald & Dixon (1999).
Are the Chapacuran languages endangered?
The Chapacuran languages are all seriously endangered.
Urupá and Torá possibly disappeared recently, according to the UNESCO, More and Oro Win are probably about to disappear. Chances are high that Wari’ is or will very soon be the only active language left in this family, though it is also seriously threatened.
Sources
Dixon, R.M.W. & Aikhenvald, A.Y. “Other small families and isolates” in The Amazonian languages, R.M.W. Dixon and Alexandra Y. Aikhenvald, Cambridge University Press (1999).
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