Arhuaco

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A language of Colombia

ISO 639-3
arh
Alternate Names
Aruaco, Bintucua, Bintuk, Bíntukua, Ica, Ijca, Ijka, Ika, Ikan, Ike
Population

8,000 (2009 P. Frank). 90% monolingual. Ethnic population: 14,300.

Location

Magdalena Department, César at the northeast and southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Chibchan, Chibchan B, Eastern Chibchan, Colombian, Northern Colombian, Arhuacan, Southern and Eastern Arhuacan
Typology

SOV

Language Use

All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Men speak more Spanish [spa] than women, school-age young people use more Spanish than adults, especially in written form.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. Children are developing literacy in Arhuaco at school. Taught in primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 2005.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Arhuaco
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Ethnic autonym: Ika. Strong traditional culture. Traditional religion.