Quichua, Tena Lowland

A language of Ecuador

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Napo Kichwa, Yumbo

Population

20,000 (1999 SIL).

Location

Eastern jungle, Tena, Arajuno, Shandia area.

Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification

Dialects

Napo [qvo], Pastaza [qvz] and Tena [quw] Quichua understand each other’s spoken language, but not written texts.

Typology

SOV

Language Use

Also use Spanish [spa].

Language Development

Children learn to read and write in standard Ecuadorian Quichua, which is referred to as ‘Quichua Unificado’, Unified Quichua. Dictionary. NT: 1972.

Language Resources

Writing

Latin script.

Other Comments

Notable differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. Traditional religion, Christian.