Languages
There were 39 Zaparoan-speaking tribes at the beginning of the 20th century, every one of them presumably using its own distinctive language or dialect. Most of them have become extinct before being recorded, however, and we have information only about nine of them.
- Zaparo group
- Záparo–Conambo
- Záparo (a few speakers left)
- Conambo †
- Arabela–Andoa
- Arabela (50 speakers)
- Andoa †
- Záparo–Conambo
- Iquito–Cahuarano
- Iquito (35 speakers)
- Cahuarano †
- Unclassified
- Aushiri †
- ? Omurano †
Aushiri and Omurano are included by Stark (1985). Aushiri is generally accepted, but Omurano remains unclassified.
Read more about this topic: Zaparoan Languages
Famous quotes containing the word languages:
“The very natural tendency to use terms derived from traditional grammar like verb, noun, adjective, passive voice, in describing languages outside of Indo-European is fraught with grave possibilities of misunderstanding.”
—Benjamin Lee Whorf (18971934)
“Wealth is so much the greatest good that Fortune has to bestow that in the Latin and English languages it has usurped her name.”
—William Lamb Melbourne, 2nd Viscount (17791848)
“I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigree of nations.”
—Samuel Johnson (17091784)