Arhuaco
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A language of Colombia
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Arauco, Arhuac, Aruac, Aruaco, Auroguac, Bintucua, Bintuk, Bintukwa, Bíntuka, Bíntukua, Bítuncua, Ica, Ijca, Ijka, Ika, Ikan, Ike
Autonym
Iku
Population
8,000 (2009 P. Frank). 7,200 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 14,800 (Crevels 2012).
Location
Cesar and Magdalena departments: northeast and southern slopes of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Language Maps
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Typology
SOV.
Language Use
All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Spanish [spa], especially men and school-age young people, and 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. Texts. Bible portions: 2005.
Language Resources
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Strong traditional culture. Traditional religion.