Wajiara

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A language of Colombia

ISO 639-3
yui
Alternate Names
Juriti, Juriti-Tapuia, Juruti, Luruty-Tapuya, Patsoka, Totsoca, Wadzana, Waijiara masa-wadyana, Waikana, Waimasá, Wayhara, Yuriti, Yuruti, Yuruti-Tapuya, Yurutiye
Population

1,100 in Colombia (2011 SIL), increasing. Few monolinguals. Population total all countries: 1,150. Ethnic population: 690 (2004 DNP).

Location

Upper Paca river (tributary of the Papurí river), Caño Yi river (tributary of the Vaupes river), and Caño Tuy river (tributary of the Vaupés river). Also in Brazil.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Tucanoan, Eastern Tucanoan, Tucano
Language Use

Vigorous. Positive attitudes. Eastern Tucanoan languages within the region are learned. Tucano [tuo] is predominant along the Pacá and Caño Yi rivers. Spanish [spa] and Wajiara used in schools and Spanish in government contexts.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 15%–20%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–40% in Spanish [spa]. 10% can write Wajiara. Bible portions: 1985–1986.
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Marriage patterns require spouses to be from different language groups. Children speak the languages of both parents and grandparents, but identify with the father’s language. Ethnic autonym: Wajiara, fish people. Yuriti and Juriti are incorrect spellings.

Also spoken in:

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