Cofán

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A language of Ecuador

ISO 639-3
con
Alternate Names
A’i, Kofán, Kofane
Population

900 in Ecuador (2001 SIL), increasing. Population total all countries: 2,400. Many monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,500.

Location

Colombia and Ecuador border areas, Napo Province near Santa Rosa de Sucumbíos, and down Aguarico river 130 km; Sucumbíos Province; 5 main centers.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Language isolate
Dialects

None known. Variously classified as Chibchan with Western Tucanoan features (Ferndon, Borman), Barbacoan (J. Mason), or Jivaroan (Ruhlen 1987). Some Witotoan influences.

Typology

SOV.

Language Use

Vigorous. Some Siona and Secoya have learned Cofán due to intermarriage, and their children learn Cofán. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Schools are in Spanish [spa], except for early grades which provide bilingual education. Also use Napo Lowland Quechua [qvo], Secoya [sey], Siona [snn].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 60%. Literacy rate in L2: 60%. Schools are in Spanish [spa], except for early grades which provide bilingual education. Taught in primary schools. Radio programs. Dictionary. NT: 1980–2007.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Cofán
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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