Timbira language
Northern Je language spoken in Brazil / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Timbira is a dialect continuum of the Northern Jê language group of the Jê languages ̣(Macro-Jê) spoken in Brazil. The various dialects are distinct enough to sometimes be considered separate languages. The principal varieties, Krahô /ˈkrɑːhoʊ/[2] (Craó), and Canela /kæˈnɛlə/[2] (Kanela), have 2000 speakers apiece, few of whom speak Portuguese. Pará Gavião has 600–700 speakers. Krẽje, however, is nearly extinct, with only 30 speakers in 1995.
Timbira | |
---|---|
Native to | Brazil |
Region | Maranhão, Pará, Tocantins |
Ethnicity | Timbira |
Native speakers | 5,000 (2005–2008)[1] |
Dialects | |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | Variously:ram – Canelaxra – Krahôgvp – Pará Gaviãoxri – Krĩkatíxre – Krẽje |
Glottolog | timb1253 |
Timibira has been intensive contact with various Tupi-Guarani languages of the lower Tocantins-Mearim area, such as Guajajára, Tembé, Guajá, and Urubú-Ka'apór. Ararandewára, Turiwára, Tupinamba, and Nheengatu have also been spoken in the area. Some of people in the area are also remembers of Anambé and Amanajé.[3]