Nhengatu

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A language of Brazil

ISO 639-3
yrl
Alternate Names
Coastal Tupian, Geral, Língua Geral, Modern Tupí, Ñeegatú, Nheengatu, Nyengato, Nyengatú, Waengatu, Yeral
Population

10,300 in Brazil (2005 FOIRN). Population total all countries: 19,060.

Location

Amazonas, Lower Vaupés, Içana, and Negro river areas. Also in Colombia, Venezuela (Nengatu).

Language Maps
Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Classification
Tupian, Tupí-Guaraní, Tupí, Tupí
Dialects

Based on Tupinambá, developed by Portuguese during 17th and 18th centuries as lingua franca.

Language Use

Mostly a creole spoken by several ethnic groups as L2 in Upper Rio Negro region. Widely used. In the Vaupés area it is being replaced by Tukano [tuo] (2007). Elderly only (in Vaupés area). All also use Tucano [tuo].

Language Development
NT: 1973.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nhengatu
Writing
Latin script.

Also spoken in:

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