Nhengatu

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A language of Brazil

ISO 639-3
yrl
Alternate Names
Coastal Tupian, Geral, Língua Geral, Modern Tupí, Ñeegatú, Nheengatu, Nyengato, Nyengatú, Waengatu, Yeral
Population

10,300 in Brazil (2005 FOIRN). Population total all countries: 19,060. L2 users: Mostly a creole spoken by several ethnic groups as L2 in Upper Rio Negro region.

Location

Amazonas, Lower Vaupés, Içana, and Negro river areas.

Language Maps
Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Classification
Tupian, Tupí-Guaraní, Tupí, Tupí
Dialects

None known. Based on Tupinambá, developed by Portuguese during 17th and 18th centuries as lingua franca.

Language Use

Widely used. In the Vaupés area it is being replaced by Tukano [tuo] (Crevels 2007). Elderly only (in Vaupés area). 100% also use Tucano [tuo]. Used as L2 by Baniwa [bwi], Guarequena [gae], Siriano [sri].

Language Development
NT: 1973.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nhengatu
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Language of the Bare tribe, with several ethnic groups identifying as Bare and speaking Nhengatu.

Also spoken in:

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