Matsigenka
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A language of Peru
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Machiguenga, Mañaries, Matsiganga, Matsigenga
Population
5,910 (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 13,000 (Crevels 2007).
Location
Cusco, Madre de Dios, and Ucayali regions: Camisea, Kompiroshiato, Picha, Manu, Mishagua, Tigompinia, Timpia, and Urubamba rivers.
Language Maps
Language Status
5 (Developing). Recognized language (1993, Constitution, Article 48).
Classification
Dialects
Reportedly most similar to Nomatsiguenga [not]. There are minor dialects.
Language Use
Quechua and Spanish [spa] are replacing Machiguenga in some areas where children no longer acquire the language. Not endangered on the Manu River, where teachers from Urubamba River area are interested in implementing a formalized bilingual education program (Crevels 2007). All ages. Also use Spanish [spa]. Used as L2 by Caquinte [cot], Nanti [cox], Yine [pib].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 30%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. Dictionary. NT: 1976–2008.
Language Resources
Writing
Latin script [Latn].