Tsimané
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A language of Bolivia
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Chimané, Moseteno, Mosetén
Population
7,300 (Crevels 2011). 950 Mosetén, 6,350 Tsimané (Crevels 2011). Ethnic population: 10,200 (Crevels 2011). 1,590 Mosetén, 8,610 Tsimané (Crevels 2011).
Location
El Beni department: San Miguel de Huachi and Santa Ana de Alto Beni; along Maniqui river; La Paz department: north of La Paz city.
Language Maps
Language Status
6b (Threatened).
Classification
Dialects
Tsimané, Mosetén. Mosetén move into Tsimané communities and function with seemingly no communication difficulties (2002 NTM).
Language Use
Young people and adults. Also use Spanish [spa], especially children who attend school in one of the highland communities. Other children do not acquire it until they are 15 years of age. Women and older people speak very little of it (Crevels 2007).
Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1997.
Language Resources
Writing
Latin script [Latn], not in use by Mosetén.
Mosetén and Tsimané separate languages (Adelaar 1991). Traditional religion.