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The Cariban languages are a
family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
of languages indigenous to northeastern
South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the sou ...
. They are widespread across northernmost South America, from the mouth of the
Amazon River The Amazon River (, ; es, Río Amazonas, pt, Rio Amazonas) in South America is the largest river by discharge volume of water in the world, and the disputed longest river system in the world in comparison to the Nile. The headwaters of t ...
to the
Colombia Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well as in the Pacific Ocean. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the ...
n
Andes The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...
, and they are also spoken in small pockets of central Brazil. The languages of the Cariban family are relatively closely related. There are about three dozen, but most are spoken only by a few hundred people. Macushi is the only language among them with numerous speakers, estimated at 30,000. The Cariban family is well known among linguists partly because one language in the family— Hixkaryana—has a default
word order In linguistics, word order (also known as linear order) is the order of the syntactic constituents of a language. Word order typology studies it from a cross-linguistic perspective, and examines how different languages employ different orders. C ...
of object–verb–subject. Previous to their discovery of this, linguists believed that this order did not exist in any spoken
natural language In neuropsychology, linguistics, and philosophy of language, a natural language or ordinary language is any language that has evolved naturally in humans through use and repetition without conscious planning or premeditation. Natural languages ...
. In the 16th century, Cariban peoples expanded into the
Lesser Antilles The Lesser Antilles ( es, link=no, Antillas Menores; french: link=no, Petites Antilles; pap, Antias Menor; nl, Kleine Antillen) are a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. Most of them are part of a long, partially volcanic island arc be ...
. There they killed or displaced, and also mixed with the
Arawak peoples The Arawak are a group of indigenous peoples of northern South America and of the Caribbean. Specifically, the term "Arawak" has been applied at various times to the Lokono of South America and the Taíno, who historically lived in the Greate ...
who already inhabited the islands. The resulting language— Kalhíphona or Island Carib—was Carib in name but largely Arawak in substance. The Carib male conquerors took Arawak women as wives, and the latter passed on their own language on to the children. For a time, Arawak was spoken by women and children and Carib by adult men, but as each generation of Carib-Arawak boys reached adulthood, they acquired less Carib until only basic vocabulary and a few grammatical elements were left. That form of
Island Carib The Kalinago, also known as the Island Caribs or simply Caribs, are an indigenous people of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. They may have been related to the Mainland Caribs (Kalina) of South America, but they spoke an unrelated languag ...
became extinct in the
Lesser Antilles The Lesser Antilles ( es, link=no, Antillas Menores; french: link=no, Petites Antilles; pap, Antias Menor; nl, Kleine Antillen) are a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. Most of them are part of a long, partially volcanic island arc be ...
in the 1920s, but it survives as Garífuna, or "Black Carib," in
Central America Central America ( es, América Central or ) is a subregion of the Americas. Its boundaries are defined as bordering the United States to the north, Colombia to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ...
. The gender distinction has dwindled to only a handful of words.
Dominica Dominica ( or ; Kalinago: ; french: Dominique; Dominican Creole French: ), officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island country in the Caribbean. The capital, Roseau, is located on the western side of the island. It is geographical ...
is the only island in the eastern
Caribbean The Caribbean (, ) ( es, El Caribe; french: la Caraïbe; ht, Karayib; nl, De Caraïben) is a region of the Americas that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (some surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and some bordering both the Caribbean ...
to retain some of its
pre-Columbian In the history of the Americas, the pre-Columbian era spans from the original settlement of North and South America in the Upper Paleolithic period through European colonization, which began with Christopher Columbus's voyage of 1492. Usually, ...
population, descendants of the Carib Indians, about 3,000 of whom live on the island's east coast.


Genetic relations

The Cariban languages share irregular morphology with the Ge and Tupi families. Ribeiro connects them all in a Je–Tupi–Carib family. Meira, Gildea, & Hoff (2010) note that likely morphemes in proto-Tupian and proto-Cariban are good candidates for being cognates, but that work so far is insufficient to make definitive statements.


Language contact

Jolkesky (2016) notes that there are lexical similarities with the Guato, Kawapana, Nambikwara, Taruma, Warao,
Arawak The Arawak are a group of indigenous peoples of northern South America and of the Caribbean. Specifically, the term "Arawak" has been applied at various times to the Lokono of South America and the Taíno, who historically lived in the Greate ...
, Bororo, Jeoromitxi, Karaja, Rikbaktsa, and Tupi language families due to contact. Extensive lexical similarities between Cariban and various
Macro-Jê languages Macro-Jê (also spelled Macro-Gê) is a medium-sized language stock in South America, mostly in Brazil but also in the Chiquitanía region in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, as well as (formerly) in small parts of Argentina and Paraguay. It is centered o ...
suggest that Cariban languages had originated in the Lower Amazon region (rather than in the
Guiana Highlands The Guianas, sometimes called by the Spanish loan-word ''Guayanas'' (''Las Guayanas''), is a region in north-eastern South America which includes the following three territories: * French Guiana, an overseas department and region of France * ...
). There they were in contact with early forms of Macro-Jê languages, which were likely spoken in an area between the Parecis Plateau and upper
Araguaia River The Araguaia River ( pt, Rio Araguaia , Karajá: ♂ ''Berohokỹ'' eɾohoˈkə̃ ♀ ''Bèrakuhukỹ'' ɛɾakuhuˈkə̃ is one of the major rivers of Brazil though it is almost equal in volume at its confluence with the Tocantins. It has a total ...
.


Family division

The Cariban languages are closely related. In many cases where one of the languages is more distinct, this is due to influence from neighboring languages rather than an indication that it is not closely related. According to Kaufman (2007), "Except for Opon, Yukpa, Pimenteira and Palmela (and possibly Panare), the Cariban languages are not very diverse phonologically and lexically (though more so than Romance, for example)."Kaufman, Terrence. 2007. "South America". In: R. E. Asher and Christopher Moseley (eds.), ''Atlas of the World’s Languages'' (2nd edition), 59–94. London: Routledge.


Previous classifications

Good data has been collected around ca. 2000 on most Cariban languages; classifications prior to that time (including Kaufman 2007, which relies on the earlier work) are unreliable. Several such classifications have been published; the one shown here, by Derbyshire (1999) divides Cariban into seven branches. A traditional geographic classification into northern and southern branches is cross referenced with (N) or (S) after each language. *
Galibi The Kalina, also known as the Caribs or mainland Caribs and by several other names, are an indigenous people native to the northern coastal areas of South America. Today, the Kalina live largely in villages on the rivers and coasts of Venezuela, ...
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/nowiki>Kaliña.html"_;"title="Kaliña.html"_;"title="/nowiki>Kaliña">/nowiki>Kaliña">Kaliña.html"_;"title="/nowiki>Kaliña">/nowiki>Kaliña/nowiki>_(N) *Guiana_Carib_(Taranoan_languages">Taranoan):_ **Trio:_Tiriyó_language">Tiriyó–Akuriyó_language">Akuriyó,_ Salumá_(N),_Carijona_language.html"__"title="Salumá_language.html"_;"title="Akuriyó_language.html"_;"title="Tiriyó_language.html"_;"title="Taranoan_languages.html"_;"title="Kaliña">/nowiki>Kaliña.html"_;"title="Kaliña.html"_;"title="/nowiki>Kaliña">/nowiki>Kaliña">Kaliña.html"_;"title="/nowiki>Kaliña">/nowiki>Kaliña/nowiki>_(N) *Guiana_Carib_(Taranoan_languages">Taranoan):_ **Trio:_Tiriyó_language">Tiriyó–Akuriyó_language">Akuriyó,_Salumá_language">Salumá_(N),_Carijona_language">Carijona_Carijona_are_a_South_American_indigenous_group_known_for_the__Carijona_language._They_numbered_in_the_thousands_in_the_1840s,_but_war_with_the__Witotoans_and_exploitation_from_the_rubber_industry_led_to_virtual_extinction._Some_live_among_the__Corre_...
–
Salumá_(N),_Carijona_language.html"__"title="Salumá_language.html"_;"title="Akuriyó_language.html"_;"title="Tiriyó_language.html"_;"title="Taranoan_languages.html"_;"title="Kaliña">/nowiki>Kaliña.html"_;"title="Kaliña.html"_;"title="/nowiki>Kaliña">/nowiki>Kaliña">Kaliña.html"_;"title="/nowiki>Kaliña">/nowiki>Kaliña/nowiki>_(N) *Guiana_Carib_(Taranoan_languages">Taranoan):_ **Trio:_Tiriyó_language">Tiriyó–Akuriyó_language">Akuriyó,_Salumá_language">Salumá_(N),_Carijona_language">Carijona_Carijona_are_a_South_American_indigenous_group_known_for_the__Carijona_language._They_numbered_in_the_thousands_in_the_1840s,_but_war_with_the__Witotoans_and_exploitation_from_the_rubber_industry_led_to_virtual_extinction._Some_live_among_the__Corre_...
–Hianákoto_language">Hianákoto_(S) **Kashuyana:_ Salumá_(N),_Carijona_language.html"__"title="Salumá_language.html"_;"title="Akuriyó_language.html"_;"title="Tiriyó_language.html"_;"title="Taranoan_languages.html"_;"title="Kaliña">/nowiki>Kaliña.html"_;"title="Kaliña.html"_;"title="/nowiki>Kaliña">/nowiki>Kaliña">Kaliña.html"_;"title="/nowiki>Kaliña">/nowiki>Kaliña/nowiki>_(N) *Guiana_Carib_(Taranoan_languages">Taranoan):_ **Trio:_Tiriyó_language">Tiriyó–Akuriyó_language">Akuriyó,_Salumá_language">Salumá_(N),_Carijona_language">Carijona_Carijona_are_a_South_American_indigenous_group_known_for_the__Carijona_language._They_numbered_in_the_thousands_in_the_1840s,_but_war_with_the__Witotoans_and_exploitation_from_the_rubber_industry_led_to_virtual_extinction._Some_live_among_the__Corre_...
–Hianákoto_language">Hianákoto_(S) **Kashuyana:_Sikiana_language">Sikiana_ The_Sikiana_are_an_indigenous_people,_living_in__Brazil,_Suriname,_and_Venezuela. The_Sikiana_in_Brazil_live_between_the__Cafuini_River_and_headwaters_of_the_Turuna_and_Itapi_close_to_border_with_Suriname._The_group_in_Suriname_lives_in_Kwamala_...
_(N),_Kaxuiâna_language.html" ;"title="Sikiana_language.html" "title="Hianákoto_language.html" ;"title="Salumá_language">Salumá_(N),_Carijona_language.html" "title="Salumá_language.html" ;"title="Akuriyó_language.html" ;"title="Tiriyó_language.html" ;"title="Taranoan_languages.html" ;"title="Kaliña">/nowiki>Kaliña.html" ;"title="Kaliña.html" ;"title="/nowiki>Kaliña">/nowiki>Kaliña">Kaliña.html" ;"title="/nowiki>Kaliña">/nowiki>Kaliña/nowiki> (N) *Guiana Carib (Taranoan languages">Taranoan): **Trio: Tiriyó language">Tiriyó–Akuriyó language">Akuriyó, Salumá language">Salumá (N), Carijona language">Carijona Carijona are a South American indigenous group known for the Carijona language. They numbered in the thousands in the 1840s, but war with the Witotoans and exploitation from the rubber industry led to virtual extinction. Some live among the Corre ...
–Hianákoto language">Hianákoto (S) **Kashuyana: Sikiana language">Sikiana The Sikiana are an indigenous people, living in Brazil, Suriname, and Venezuela. The Sikiana in Brazil live between the Cafuini River and headwaters of the Turuna and Itapi close to border with Suriname. The group in Suriname lives in Kwamala ...
 (N), Kaxuiâna language">Kaxuiâna [Warikyana] ''(†)'' (S) **Waiwai: Hixkaryana language, Hixkaryána (S), Waiwai (N) **:Kaufman breaks this up into its constituent branches *North Amazonian Carib: **Yawaperi: Atruahí language, Atruahí trowari, Waimiri(N) **Pemong: Macushi– Pemon rekuna Akawaio– Patamona (= Kapong, Ingariko) (N) **Paravilyana: Pawishiana ''(†)'' **:Kaufman breaks this up into its constituent branches, adding Purukotó ''(†)'' to Pemong; Boanarí ''(†)'' to Atruahí; Paravilyana ''(†)'' and Sapará ''(†)'' to Pawishiana *Central Carib: **
Wayana The Wayana (alternate names: Ajana, Uaiana, Alucuyana, Guaque, Ojana, Oyana, Orcocoyana, Pirixi, Urukuena, Waiano etc.) are a Carib-speaking people located in the southeastern part of the Guiana highlands, a region divided between Brazil, Surin ...
– Apalaí (N) ** Maquiritari ekwana(S) ** Mapoyo– Yabarana– Pémono (N) **:Kaufman adds Chaima umaná Arakajú ''(†)'' (to Wayana); Yao ''(†)'' and
Tiverikoto Tiverikoto (Tivericoto) is an extinct and poorly attested Cariban language. Terrence Kaufman Terrence Kaufman (1937 – March 3, 2022) was an American linguist specializing in documentation of unwritten languages, lexicography, Mesoamerican ...
''(†)''; Wajumará ''(†)'' (to Makiritare) **: Tamanaku is close to Mapoyo *South Amazonian Carib: **Bakairi: Bakairí, Kuikúro alapálo, Amonap Matipuhy ahukwa''(†)'' (S) **Arara: Txikão kpeng, Chikaon Arára ará(N) **:To Arara Kaufman adds extinct Juma ''(†)'', Apiaká-Apingi ''(†)'', Yarumá ''(†)'' *Yukpa: ** Japrería (N) ** Yukpa (N) ** Coyaima (N) ''(†)'' * Panare (N) * Opon pón-Karare''(†)'' Unclassified: Pimenteira ''(†)'',
Palmela Palmela () is a town and a municipality in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 62,831, in an area of 465.12 km². The municipality is located in the Lisboa Region and Setúbal District, about south of Lisbon. The municipal holiday is 1 Ju ...
''(†)''. The extinct Patagón de Perico language of northern Peru also appears to have been a Cariban language, perhaps close to Carijona. Yao is so poorly attested that Gildea believes it may never be classified.


Meira (2006)

Preliminary internal classification of the Cariban languages according to
Sérgio Meira Sérgio Meira de Santa Cruz Oliveira (born December 31, 1968) is a Brazilian linguist who specializes in the Cariban and Tupian language families of lowland South America and in the Tiriyó language in particular. He has worked on the classificati ...
(2006):Meira, Sérgio. 2006
A família lingüística Caribe (Karíb)
''Revista de Estudos e Pesquisas'' v.3, n.1/2, p.157-174. Brasília: FUNAI.
PDF
 ;Cariban *Guianan branch ** Karinya (Galibi);
Wayana The Wayana (alternate names: Ajana, Uaiana, Alucuyana, Guaque, Ojana, Oyana, Orcocoyana, Pirixi, Urukuena, Waiano etc.) are a Carib-speaking people located in the southeastern part of the Guiana highlands, a region divided between Brazil, Surin ...
; Apalaí (?); Palmella † (?) **'' Taranoan'' group *** Karihona *** Tiriyó; Akuriyó **'' Parukotoan'' group *** Katxuyana *** Waiwai; Hixkaryana *Venezuelano branch ** Tamanaku † **''Coastal'' group *** Chayma † *** Cumanagoto † **''Pemongan'' group *** Pemong (Arekuna, etc.) *** Kapong (Akawaio, etc.) ***
Makuxi The Macushi ( pt, Macuxi) are an indigenous people living in the borderlands of southern Guyana, northern Brazil in the state of Roraima, and in an eastern part of Venezuela. Identification The Macushi are also known as the Macusi, Macussi, M ...
** Panare ** Ye’kwana (?) ** Mapoyo (?); Yawarana (?) *Waimirian branch **
Waimiri-Atroari The Waimiri-Atroari or Uaimiris-Atroari are an indigenous group inhabiting the southeastern part of the Brazilian state of Roraima and northeastern Amazonas, specifically the Waimiri Atroari Indigenous Territory. They call themselves Kinja peop ...
(?) *Yukpano branch ** Yukpa (Motilón) ** Hapreria (Japreria) *Southern (or Pekodian) branch ** Bakairi **''Xinguan'' group (or ''Kampot dialect cluster'') *** Arára *** Ikpeng *** Apiaká do Tocantins *** Parirí *** Yarumá *Kuikuroan branch **
Kuikuro The Kuikuro are an indigenous people from the Mato Grosso region of Brazil. Their language, Kuikuro, is a part of the Cariban language family. The Kuikuro have many similarities with other Xingu tribes. They have a population of 592 in 2010, u ...
(Kalapalo, etc.) ** Pimenteira † (?)


Gildea (2012)

As of Gildea (2012), there had not yet been time to fully reclassify the Cariban languages based on the new data. The list here is therefore tentative, though an improvement over the one above; the most secure branches are listed first, and only two of the extinct languages are addressed.Gildea, Spike. 2012. "Linguistic studies in the Cariban family", in Campbell & Grondona, eds, ''The Indigenous Languages of South America: A Comprehensive Guide''. Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter Mouton. * Parukotoan ** Katxúyana (Shikuyana, ''(†)'' Warikyana) **Waiwai: Waiwai (Wabui, Tunayana), Hixkaryana * Pekodian ** Bakairí **Arara: Arara (Parirí), Ikpéng (Txikão) *Venezuelan Carib **Pemóng–Panare ***Pemóng: Kapóng (Akawaio, Patamuna, Ingarikó),
Makushi The Macushi ( pt, Macuxi) are an indigenous people living in the borderlands of southern Guyana, northern Brazil in the state of Roraima, and in an eastern part of Venezuela. Identification The Macushi are also known as the Macusi, Macussi, Ma ...
, Pemón (Taurepang, Kamarakóto, Arekuna) *** Panare **Mapoyo–Tamanaku ***''(†)'' Kumaná (Chaima, Cumanagota) *** Mapoyo-Yawarana (Mapoyo, Wanai, Yawarana, Pémono) ***''(†)'' Tamanaku *Nahukwa: Kuikúro, Kalapalo *Guianan Carib ** Kari'nja (Carib, Kalinya, Cariña, Galibi) ** Makiritare (De'kwana, Maiongong, Ye'kwana) ** Taranoan ***Tiriyo: Akuriyo, Tiriyo, Trio *** Karihona **
Wayana The Wayana (alternate names: Ajana, Uaiana, Alucuyana, Guaque, Ojana, Oyana, Orcocoyana, Pirixi, Urukuena, Waiano etc.) are a Carib-speaking people located in the southeastern part of the Guiana highlands, a region divided between Brazil, Surin ...
Unclassified: : Apalaí : Waimirí Atroarí :Yukpa: Yukpa, Japréria


Meira et al. (2015)

Meira, Birchall & Chousou-Polydouri (2015) give the following
phylogenetic tree A phylogenetic tree (also phylogeny or evolutionary tree Felsenstein J. (2004). ''Inferring Phylogenies'' Sinauer Associates: Sunderland, MA.) is a branching diagram or a tree showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological spec ...
of Cariban, based on a
computational phylogenetic Computational phylogenetics is the application of computational algorithms, methods, and programs to phylogenetic analyses. The goal is to assemble a phylogenetic tree representing a hypothesis about the evolutionary ancestry of a set of genes, spe ...
analysis of 100-item
Swadesh list The Swadesh list ("Swadesh" is pronounced ) is a classic compilation of tentatively universal concepts for the purposes of lexicostatistics. Translations of the Swadesh list into a set of languages allow researchers to quantify the interrelatednes ...
s.Meira S, Birchall J, Chousou-Polydouri S. 2015.
A character-based internal classification of the Cariban family
'. Talk presented at the 48th Annual Meeting of the Societas Linguisticae Europaea, Leiden, Netherlands, Sept. 4. ;Cariban * Opon-Carare * Yukpa *Nuclear Cariban **
Sapara Sapara may refer to: * Sapara Monastery, Georgia * Sapara people, an ethnic group of Ecuador and Peru * Sápara language, a language of Ecuador and Peru * Sapará language, a language of Brazil People with the name * Adé Sapara, English actor ...
** Pekodian *** Bakairi *** Arara, Ikpeng **
Kuhikugu Kuhikugu is an archaeological site located in Brazil, at the headwaters of the Xingu River, in the Amazon Rainforest. The area around Kuhikugu is located in part of the Xingu National Park today. Kuhikugu was first uncovered by anthropologist Mi ...
**Pemongan *** Pemon ***
Taurepang The Pemon or Pemón (Pemong) are indigenous people living in areas of Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana.See pp.112,113 and 178 of ''Venezuela: the Pemon'', in ''Condé Nast Traveler'', December 2008. They are also known as Arecuna, Aricuna Jaricu ...
***
Makushi The Macushi ( pt, Macuxi) are an indigenous people living in the borderlands of southern Guyana, northern Brazil in the state of Roraima, and in an eastern part of Venezuela. Identification The Macushi are also known as the Macusi, Macussi, Ma ...
*** Patamuna; Akawaio, Arekuna **Wayumaran *** Wayumara *** Purukoto ** Parukotoan *** Katxuyana *** Hixkaryana, Waiwai **Kumanan *** Chayma *** Cumanagoto ** Tamanaku **Mapoyan *** Yawarana *** Pemono, Mapoyo ** Panare ** Dekwana **Guianan ***
Wayana The Wayana (alternate names: Ajana, Uaiana, Alucuyana, Guaque, Ojana, Oyana, Orcocoyana, Pirixi, Urukuena, Waiano etc.) are a Carib-speaking people located in the southeastern part of the Guiana highlands, a region divided between Brazil, Surin ...
, Apalai *** Taranoan **** Karihona **** Tiriyo, Akuriyo ** Karina ** Waimiri Meira, Birchall & Chousou-Polydouri (2015) conclude that the Proto-Cariban
homeland A homeland is a place where a cultural, national, or racial identity has formed. The definition can also mean simply one's country of birth. When used as a proper noun, the Homeland, as well as its equivalents in other languages, often has ethn ...
was located north of the
Amazon River The Amazon River (, ; es, Río Amazonas, pt, Rio Amazonas) in South America is the largest river by discharge volume of water in the world, and the disputed longest river system in the world in comparison to the Nile. The headwaters of t ...
, and that there is no evidence for a northward migration from the south, as previously proposed by
Rodrigues Rodrigues (french: Île Rodrigues, link=yes ; Creole: ) is a autonomous outer island of the Republic of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, about east of Mauritius. It is part of the Mascarene Islands, which include Mauritius and Réunion. R ...
(1985). († = extinct) ;Karib *Karib, Western † **'' Karare'' † **'' Opon'' † *Karib, Central **'' Apalai'' **Hianakoto ***'' Guake'' † ***'' Hianakoto-Umawa'' † ***'' Karihona'' **'' Kariña'' **'' Palmella'' † **Tarano ***'' Akurio'' ***'' Tiriyo'' **''
Wayana The Wayana (alternate names: Ajana, Uaiana, Alucuyana, Guaque, Ojana, Oyana, Orcocoyana, Pirixi, Urukuena, Waiano etc.) are a Carib-speaking people located in the southeastern part of the Guiana highlands, a region divided between Brazil, Surin ...
'' *Karib, Southern **Kuikuro ***''
Kalapalo The Kalapalo are an indigenous people of Brazil. They are one of seventeen tribal groups who inhabit the Xingu National Park in the Upper Xingu River region of the state of Mato Grosso. They speak the Amonap language, a Cariban language, and o ...
'' ***''
Kuikuro The Kuikuro are an indigenous people from the Mato Grosso region of Brazil. Their language, Kuikuro, is a part of the Cariban language family. The Kuikuro have many similarities with other Xingu tribes. They have a population of 592 in 2010, u ...
'' ***''
Matipu The Matipu people are an indigenous people of Brazil. They live in the southern part of the Xingu Indigenous Park in the state of Mato Grosso. Their a population is estimated at about 149 individuals in 2011, up from population of 40 in the 1995 c ...
'' ***'' Nahukwa'' ** Pekodi ***Arara-Ikpeng ****'' Arara'' ****'' Ikpeng'' ***'' Bakairi'' **'' Pimenteira'' † *Karib, Northern ** Parukoto ***'' Kashuyana'' ***Parukoto, Nuclear ****'' Hishkaryana'' ****''
Sikiana The Sikiana are an indigenous people, living in Brazil, Suriname, and Venezuela. The Sikiana in Brazil live between the Cafuini River and headwaters of the Turuna and Itapi close to border with Suriname. The group in Suriname lives in Kwamala ...
'' ****'' Waiwai'' **Purukoto ***Kapong: '' Akawayo''; '' Patamona'' ***''
Makushi The Macushi ( pt, Macuxi) are an indigenous people living in the borderlands of southern Guyana, northern Brazil in the state of Roraima, and in an eastern part of Venezuela. Identification The Macushi are also known as the Macusi, Macussi, Ma ...
'' ***Pemon: '' Arekuna''; '' Ingariko''; '' Kamarakoto''; ''
Taurepang The Pemon or Pemón (Pemong) are indigenous people living in areas of Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana.See pp.112,113 and 178 of ''Venezuela: the Pemon'', in ''Condé Nast Traveler'', December 2008. They are also known as Arecuna, Aricuna Jaricu ...
'' ***'' Purukoto'' **Venezuela ***De'kwana-Wayumara ****'' De'kwana'' ****'' Wayumara'' ***'' Eñepa'' ***Kumana ****'' Chayma'' ****'' Kumanagoto'' † ***Mapoyo-Yabarana ****'' Mapoyo'' ****'' Pemono'' ****'' Yabarana'' ***'' Tamanaku'' † ***Yao † ****''
Tiverikoto Tiverikoto (Tivericoto) is an extinct and poorly attested Cariban language. Terrence Kaufman Terrence Kaufman (1937 – March 3, 2022) was an American linguist specializing in documentation of unwritten languages, lexicography, Mesoamerican ...
'' † ****'' Yao'' † **Yawaperi-Paravilhana ***Sapara-Paravilhana ****'' Paravilhana'' ****''
Sapara Sapara may refer to: * Sapara Monastery, Georgia * Sapara people, an ethnic group of Ecuador and Peru * Sápara language, a language of Ecuador and Peru * Sapará language, a language of Brazil People with the name * Adé Sapara, English actor ...
'' ***Yawaperi ****'' Bonari'' † ****''
Waimiri-Atroari The Waimiri-Atroari or Uaimiris-Atroari are an indigenous group inhabiting the southeastern part of the Brazilian state of Roraima and northeastern Amazonas, specifically the Waimiri Atroari Indigenous Territory. They call themselves Kinja peop ...
'' **Yukpa-Japreria ***'' Japreria'' ***'' Yukpa''


Varieties

Below is a full list of Cariban language varieties listed by Loukotka (1968), including names of unattested varieties. Western languages: Caraib / Calinago / Karib - language spoken by the insular and continental Caraibes, with many dialects: *Dialect of the insular Caraibes, once spoken on the
Lesser Antilles Islands The Lesser Antilles ( es, link=no, Antillas Menores; french: link=no, Petites Antilles; pap, Antias Menor; nl, Kleine Antillen) are a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. Most of them are part of a long, partially volcanic arc, volcanic is ...
, now by only a few old individuals in a reserve on the island of
Dominica Dominica ( or ; Kalinago: ; french: Dominique; Dominican Creole French: ), officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island country in the Caribbean. The capital, Roseau, is located on the western side of the island. It is geographical ...
. *Dialect of Pomeroon / Caribisi / Acarabisi - spoken on the Macarani River and
Pomeroon River The Pomeroon River (also ''Río Pomerón'' ''or Pomaron'') is located in Guyana, South America, situated between the Orinoco and the Essequibo rivers. The area has long been inhabited by Lokono people. The Pomeroon River is also one of the deep ...
, Guyana. *Tabare / Cariña - dialect spoken by the inhabitants of the villages of El Guasey, Cachipo, Cachama, and San Joaquín de Parire ( Mapicure) in the state of Anzoátegui and in the village of Tapaquire in the state of Bolívar, Venezuela. *Caribe - extinct dialect once spoken by the descendants of Caraibes and by the mixed population on the plains of Barcelona, states of Monagas and Anzoátegui, Venezuela. *Carif / Moreno - dialect combined with Arawakan, spoken by the Negro Indian mixed population of British Honduras, in Guatemala on the Gulf of Honduras, and on Roatan Island in Honduras, Central America. *Cariniaco - extinct dialect once spoken at the mouth of the Caura River, state of Bolívar, Venezuela. *Mayé - extinct dialect once spoken on the Casipore River, Amapá territory, Brazil. (Unattested.) *Paracoto - extinct dialect once spoken at the mouth of the Araguari River, Amapá and at the mouth of the Mana River, French Guiana. (Unattested.) *Carane - once spoken at the old mission of São Paulo d'Oiapoque, Amapá territory. (Unattested.) *Norac / Norag - once spoken on the
Approuague River The Approuague river (or Apuruaque in Tupi) is a major river in French Guiana. It is long. It runs north from the Tumuk Humak Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean, almost parallel with the Oyapock, with its mouth by the Pointe Béhague cape. The A ...
, French Guiana, later on the Anotarí River; now extinct. (Unattested.) *Itutan - once spoken on the lower course of the Casipore River and in the
Serra Lombard Serra (Latin for "saw") may refer to: People * Serra (footballer) (born 1961), Portuguese footballer * Serra (surname) * Serra (given name) Cities, towns, municipalities Brazil *Serra, Espírito Santo, a city in the Greater Vitória area *Ampar ...
, Amapá. (Unattested.) *Curucuane - once spoken on the lower course of the Casipore River, south of the Itutan tribe. (Unattested.) *Aricarí - once spoken near the Curucuane tribe on the lower course of the Calçoene River. (Unattested.) *Sapai - once spoken on the Mana River, French Guiana. (Unattested.) *Piriou - once spoken in French Guiana on the middle course of the Oyapoque River. (Unattested.) *Mersiou - once spoken on the Aratye River, Inini River, and Aua River, French Guiana, now probably extinct. (Unattested.) *Acoqua - once spoken at the sources of the
Approuague River The Approuague river (or Apuruaque in Tupi) is a major river in French Guiana. It is long. It runs north from the Tumuk Humak Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean, almost parallel with the Oyapock, with its mouth by the Pointe Béhague cape. The A ...
, and on the Camopi River, French Guiana. (Unattested.) *Wai - spoken on the Tamouri River, French Guiana; now perhaps extinct. (Unattested.) *Taira - spoken in the same colony as the Wai tribe on the
Iracoubo Iracoubo is a commune on the coast of French Guiana, an overseas region and department of France located in South America]. Geography The settlement of Iracoubo, seat of the commune, is located between the settlement of Sinnamary and the hamle ...
River. (Unattested.) *Acuria - originally spoken on the
Nickerie River The Nickerie River is a river in the northwestern part of Suriname. The river originates in the Bakhuis Mountains and then flows to the North where it forms part of the border between the Coronie and Nickerie districts. The river then turns Wes ...
and
Coppename River The Coppename is a river in Suriname (South America) in the district of Sipaliwini, forming part of the boundary between the districts of Coronie and Saramacca. Course The Coppename river begins in the Wilhelmina Mountains. Its tributaries ar ...
, Suriname; now on the
Berbice River The Berbice River, located in eastern Guyana, is one of the country's major rivers. It rises in the highlands of the Rupununi region and flows northward for through dense forests to the coastal plain. The river's tidal limit is between from the ...
, Guyana. (Unattested.) *Chacoi - spoken by a few mixed individuals between the
Berbice River The Berbice River, located in eastern Guyana, is one of the country's major rivers. It rises in the highlands of the Rupununi region and flows northward for through dense forests to the coastal plain. The river's tidal limit is between from the ...
and
Essequibo River The Essequibo River ( Spanish: ''Río Esequibo'' originally called by Alonso de Ojeda ''Río Dulce'') is the largest river in Guyana, and the largest river between the Orinoco and Amazon. Rising in the Acarai Mountains near the Brazil–Guyana b ...
, Guyana. (Unattested.) *Parabaiana - once spoken on the middle course of the
Marouini River The Malani (Dutch: Marowijnekreek; or ''Marouini'') is a river in the disputed area between French Guiana and Suriname. According to Suriname, it is the border river, however France considers the Litani the border. The river has its source at in ...
, French Guiana. (Unattested.) *Caicuchiana - once spoken in French Guiana, south of the Parabaiana tribe. (Unattested.) ;Eastern languages *Waiana / Oayana - spoken on the Palumeu River and Lawa River, Suriname, and on the Jarí River and
Paru River The Paru River is a northern tributary of the lower Amazon in Pará state in north-central Brazil. The river flows through the Uatuma-Trombetas moist forests ecoregion. Part of the river's basin is in the Maicuru Biological Reserve. In popular c ...
, state of Pará, Brazil; once also between the
Maroni River The Maroni or Marowijne (french: link=no, Maroni, nl, Marowijne, Sranan Tongo: ''Marwina-Liba'') is a river in South America that forms the border between French Guiana and Suriname. Course The Maroni runs through the Guianan moist for ...
and
Marouini River The Malani (Dutch: Marowijnekreek; or ''Marouini'') is a river in the disputed area between French Guiana and Suriname. According to Suriname, it is the border river, however France considers the Litani the border. The river has its source at in ...
, French Guiana. *Amicuan - extinct language once spoken at the sources of the
Marouini River The Malani (Dutch: Marowijnekreek; or ''Marouini'') is a river in the disputed area between French Guiana and Suriname. According to Suriname, it is the border river, however France considers the Litani the border. The river has its source at in ...
, French Guiana. (Unattested.) *Upurui - once spoken on the upper course of the Jarí River, now by a few individuals at the sources of the Parú de Leste River, state of Pará, Brazil. *Apalai / Aparai - spoken on the middle course of the Parú de Leste River and between this river and the upper course of the Maicuru River, Pará. *Carapeuara - extinct language once spoken in the state of Pará south of the Apama tribe on the Maicuru River. (Unattested.) *Palanc - extinct language once spoken in French Guiana on the middle course of the Apima River and Yaroupi River and on the Unani River. (Unattested.) *Rucuyene - extinct language once spoken in the same colony on the Lawa River. *Noyene - once spoken on the
Cuc River Cuc River is a river of Amapá state in Brazil. It is a tributary of the Jari River, which is part of the Amazon River The Amazon River (, ; es, Río Amazonas, pt, Rio Amazonas) in South America is the largest river by discharge volume ...
, state of Pará. (Unattested.) *Yapacoye - once spoken on the left bank of the Itany River, French Guiana. (Unattested.) *Aracajú / Uaraguazú - extinct language mixed with many Tupi elements, once spoken on the Gurupamba River and Parú de Leste River, Pará. ;Trio group *Trio / Diáu / Tirió - spoken on the Tapanahoni River, Corentijn River, and Palumeu River, Suriname, and between the sources of the Parú de Leste River and Parú de Oeste River, state of Pará. *Urucuyana / Waiano - spoken on the left bank of the Parú de Leste River, Pará. *Wama - spoken by a tribe at the sources of the Oelemari River, Suriname. *Tliometesen / Oyaricule - spoken by a few individuals between the
Litani River The Litani River ( ar, نهر الليطاني, Nahr al-Līṭānī), the classical Leontes ( grc-gre, Λέοντες, Léontes, lions), is an important water resource in southern Lebanon. The river rises in the fertile Beqaa Valley, west of B ...
and Tapanahoni River, Suriname. *Ocomayana / Kumayena / Comayana - spoken at the sources of the Coeroeni River, Suriname, and at the sources of the Oronoque River in Guyana. *Pianocoto - once spoken at the sources of the Trombetas River and the Jamunda River, now at the mouth of the Marapi River in the Parú de Oeste River, Pará. *Aramihoto - spoken by a small tribe in Suriname on the upper course of the Coeroeni River. (Unattested.) *Prohyana - spoken in the same colony in the Eilerts de Haan Gebergte. (Unattested.) *Maipuridjana - spoken in Suriname on the
Sipaliwini River Sipaliwini River is a river of Suriname, the main source of the Courantyne River. It gives its name to the village of Sipaliwini Savanna and to the Sipaliwini District. It flows through the village of Kwamalasamutu. The name translates to thornba ...
. (Unattested.) *Rangú - spoken at the sources of the Parú de Oeste River, Pará. *Acuriyo - spoken at the sources of the Tapanahoni River, Suriname. (Unattested.) *Aramisho - spoken on the upper course of the Parú de Leste River, Pará. (Unattested.) *Aramayana - spoken by the southern neighbors of the Aramisho tribe. (Unattested.) *Aramagoto - spoken between the upper courses of the Parú de Leste River and the Parú de Oeste River, Pará. (Unattested.) *Pianoi - spoken at the sources and on the upper course of the
Citaré River The Citaré River is a tributary of the Paru River in Pará state in north-central Brazil. See also *List of rivers of Pará List of rivers in Pará (Brazilian State). The list is arranged by drainage basin from north to south, with respective ...
, Pará. (Unattested.) ;Chiquena group *Chiquena / Shikiana - spoken on the Apiniwau River, Guyana, and at the sources of the Panemá River, Pará. (Farabee 1924, pp. 195-196.) *Zurumata - once spoken in a village of the same name on the upper course of the Trombetas River, Pará, now probably extinct. (Unattested.) *Ingarüne - spoken at the sources of the Panemá River and its tributaries. (Unattested.) *Salumá / Charúma - spoken between the upper courses of the Trombetas River, Uanabé River, and Tunúru River, Pará. *Prehnoma - spoken by a small tribe west of the Pianocoto tribe. (Unattested.) *Caicusiana - spoken on the Tunúru River south of the Salumá tribe. (Unattested.) *Tunayana - spoken between the middle courses of the Panemá River and Tunúru River. (Unattested.) *Sereu - spoken east of the sources of the Cachorro River. (Unattested.) *Cahuyana - spoken on the middle course of the Trombetas River. (Unattested.) *Marachó - spoken by an unknown tribe on the middle course of the Cuminá River. (Unattested.) *Pauxi / Pawiyana - spoken on the right bank of the middle course of the Erepecurú River ( Cuminá River); now perhaps extinct. *Waríkyana - extinct language once spoken on the lower course of the Trombetas River. (Unattested.) *Uayeué - spoken on the
Mapuera River The Mapuera River is a tributary of the Trombetas River in Pará state in north-central Brazil. The river basin lies partly within the Grão-Pará Ecological Station, the largest fully protected tropical forest conservation unit on the planet. ...
and its tributary Urubú de Silves River. *Cachuena / Kaxiuâna / Casiana / Cachoarí - spoken by a few families at the mouth of the Cachorro River. *Mutuan - once spoken on the lower course of the Nhamundá River. *Cariguano - once spoken on the Panemá River. (Unattested.) *Conduri - extinct language once spoken at the mouth of the Nhamundá River. (Unattested.) *Paraugoaru - extinct language once spoken on the Capó River, a tributary of the Trombetas River. (Unattested.) ;Waiwai group *Waiwai / Woaywai - spoken at the sources of the
Essequibo River The Essequibo River ( Spanish: ''Río Esequibo'' originally called by Alonso de Ojeda ''Río Dulce'') is the largest river in Guyana, and the largest river between the Orinoco and Amazon. Rising in the Acarai Mountains near the Brazil–Guyana b ...
, Guyana and at the sources of the
Mapuera River The Mapuera River is a tributary of the Trombetas River in Pará state in north-central Brazil. The river basin lies partly within the Grão-Pará Ecological Station, the largest fully protected tropical forest conservation unit on the planet. ...
, state of Pará, Brazil. *Faranakaru - spoken at the sources of the
Mapuera River The Mapuera River is a tributary of the Trombetas River in Pará state in north-central Brazil. The river basin lies partly within the Grão-Pará Ecological Station, the largest fully protected tropical forest conservation unit on the planet. ...
south of the Waiwai tribe. (Unattested.) *Faranauaru - spoken on the left bank of the
Mapuera River The Mapuera River is a tributary of the Trombetas River in Pará state in north-central Brazil. The river basin lies partly within the Grão-Pará Ecological Station, the largest fully protected tropical forest conservation unit on the planet. ...
. (Unattested.) *Parucoto / Katawian - spoken on the middle course of the
Mapuera River The Mapuera River is a tributary of the Trombetas River in Pará state in north-central Brazil. The river basin lies partly within the Grão-Pará Ecological Station, the largest fully protected tropical forest conservation unit on the planet. ...
and between the sources of the Acarí River and Cachorrinho River. (Farabee 1924, pp. 192-193.) *Chiriwiyana - spoken at the sources of the Acarí River. (Unattested.) *Ororicó - spoken on the upper course of the Cachorrinho River. (Unattested.) *Cotonúru - spoken between the Cachorro River and Cachorrinho River. (Unattested.) *Totocumu / Catuena - spoken between the sources of the Acarí River and Ipitinga River. (Unattested.) *Chawiyana - spoken on the right bank of the upper course of the Nhamundá River, Amazonas. (Unattested.) *Uaiboí / Babui / Wabou - spoken on the middle course of the Nhamundá River. *Hishcariana / Ishkariyána / Tucano - spoken on the middle course of the Nhamundá River. *Xauwiyana - spoken by the neighbors of the Hishcariana tribe. (Unattested.) *Uasaí - spoken by an unknown tribe on the Urubu River and Jatapu River, Amazonas. (Unattested.) *Apoto / Apanto - extinct language once spoken south of the Uaiboi tribe on the Nhamundá River. (Unattested.) *Orocoto - once spoken between the Urubu River and Jatapu River. (Unattested.) *Taguari - extinct language once spoken between the
Mapuera River The Mapuera River is a tributary of the Trombetas River in Pará state in north-central Brazil. The river basin lies partly within the Grão-Pará Ecological Station, the largest fully protected tropical forest conservation unit on the planet. ...
and Ipitinga River. (Unattested.) *Pariquí - once spoken between the mouths of the
Uatumã River The Uatumã River (sometimes spelled Uatamã) is a river flowing through the state of Amazonas in Brazil. It is a northern tributary of the Amazon River, and known for its extensive peacock bass population. It is a blackwater river. The river f ...
and
Negro River Río Negro (Spanish and Portuguese, 'Black River') may refer to: Rivers Brazil * Rio Negro (Amazon), tributary of the Amazon River * Rio Negro (Mato Grosso do Sul) * Rio Negro (Paraná) * Rio Negro (Rio de Janeiro) * Rio Negro (Rondônia) * ...
. (Unattested.) *Tapicari - spoken on the
Mucajaí River The Mucajaí River is a river of Roraima state in northern Brazil. It is a right tributary of the Branco River. Part of the river's basin is in the Roraima National Forest. See also *List of rivers of Roraima List of rivers in Roraima (Brazili ...
. (Unattested.) *Bonari / Boanari - once spoken on the
Uatumã River The Uatumã River (sometimes spelled Uatamã) is a river flowing through the state of Amazonas in Brazil. It is a northern tributary of the Amazon River, and known for its extensive peacock bass population. It is a blackwater river. The river f ...
, Amazonas; now perhaps extinct. ;Yauapery group *Yauapery / Atroahi - spoken on the middle course of the Yauapery River, state of Amazonas. *Uaimiri / Wahmirí - spoken at the sources of the Curiuaú River, state of Amazonas. *Crixaná / Quirixana - spoken between the middle course of the Yauapery River and the Curiuaú River, now probably extinct. ;Pauishana group *Pauishana - spoken between the Catrimani River and
Branco River The Branco River ( pt, Rio Branco; Engl: ''White River'') is the principal affluent of the Rio Negro from the north. Basin The river drains the Guayanan Highlands moist forests ecoregion. It is enriched by many streams from the Tepui highlands ...
, territory of Rio Branco, Brazil. ;Macusi group *Macusi / Makushí - spoken on the
Rupununi River The Rupununi is a region in the south-west of Guyana, bordering the Brazilian Amazon. The Rupununi river, also known by the local indigenous peoples as ''Raponani'', flows through the Rupununi region. The name Rupununi originates from the word '' ...
, Guyana, and at the sources of the Tacutu River and on the middle course of the
Branco River The Branco River ( pt, Rio Branco; Engl: ''White River'') is the principal affluent of the Rio Negro from the north. Basin The river drains the Guayanan Highlands moist forests ecoregion. It is enriched by many streams from the Tepui highlands ...
, territory of Rio Branco, Brazil. *Monoicó - spoken on the Cotingo River, Brazil. (Unattested.) *Keseruma - spoken on the Tacutu River. (A. Meyer 1951.) *Asepáng - spoken to the south of the Keseruma tribe. (Unattested.) *Eliáng - spoken to the south of the Asepáng tribe. (Unattested.) *Pezacó - spoken to the south of the Eliáng tribe. (Unattested.) *Quenoloco - spoken at the sources of the Cotingo River. (Unattested.) *Teweia - spoken on the Cotingo River. (Unattested.) *Purucotó / Progoto - spoken on the Uraricapará River, territory of Rio Branco. *Wayumara / Azumara / Guimara - spoken between the
Mucajaí River The Mucajaí River is a river of Roraima state in northern Brazil. It is a right tributary of the Branco River. Part of the river's basin is in the Roraima National Forest. See also *List of rivers of Roraima List of rivers in Roraima (Brazili ...
and
Uraricoera River The Uraricoera River (Uraricuera) is a river of Roraima state in northern Brazil. The confluence of the Uraricoera and Takutu Rivers forms the Branco River. Basin The river drains the Guayanan Highlands moist forests ecoregion. Part of the rive ...
and in a part of Maracá Island. *Paraviyana / Paravilhana - extinct language once spoken between the Tacutu River and Caratirimani River, Rio Branco. *Zapara / Sapará - spoken in the middle and eastern parts of Maracá Island. ;Pemón group *Taurepän / Taulipáng / Ipuricoto / Pemón - spoken between the Uraricuena River and
Mount Roraima Mount Roraima ( es, Monte Roraima; Tepuy Roraima; Cerro Roraima pt, Monte Roraima ) is the highest of the Pakaraima chain of tepuis (table-top mountain) or plateaux in South America. It is located at the junction of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. ...
to the
Caroní River The Caroní River is the second most important river of Venezuela, the second in flow, and one of the longest, from the Kukenan tepui through to its confluence with the Orinoco River. The name "Caroní" is applied starting from the confluence ...
, in the border zone of Brazil and Venezuela. *Arecuná - spoken at the sources of the
Caroní River The Caroní River is the second most important river of Venezuela, the second in flow, and one of the longest, from the Kukenan tepui through to its confluence with the Orinoco River. The name "Caroní" is applied starting from the confluence ...
and
Paragua River The Paragua River is a river of Venezuela. It is part of the Orinoco River basin. It is the largest tributary of the Caroní River. The river drains the Guayanan Highlands moist forests ecoregion. See also *List of rivers of Venezuela This i ...
, state of Bolívar, Venezuela. *Ingaricó - spoken to the north of
Mount Roraima Mount Roraima ( es, Monte Roraima; Tepuy Roraima; Cerro Roraima pt, Monte Roraima ) is the highest of the Pakaraima chain of tepuis (table-top mountain) or plateaux in South America. It is located at the junction of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana. ...
, border region of Brazil and Venezuela. *Patamona - spoken on the
Potaro River The Potaro River is a river in Guyana that runs from Mount Ayanganna area of the Pakaraima Mountains for approximately before flowing into the Essequibo River, Guyana's largest river. The renowned Kaieteur Falls is on the Potaro. Features Nine ...
and
Ireng River The Ireng River (or Maú River, generally used in Portuguese) forms part of Guyana's western border with Brazil. It flows through the valleys of the Pakaraima Mountains for most of its length. It is the only major river in Guyana which flows from ...
, Guyana. (F. Lutz 1912 passim, only a few words.) *Camaracoto - spoken in the state of Bolívar, Venezuela, on the
Paragua River The Paragua River is a river of Venezuela. It is part of the Orinoco River basin. It is the largest tributary of the Caroní River. The river drains the Guayanan Highlands moist forests ecoregion. See also *List of rivers of Venezuela This i ...
and
Caroní River The Caroní River is the second most important river of Venezuela, the second in flow, and one of the longest, from the Kukenan tepui through to its confluence with the Orinoco River. The name "Caroní" is applied starting from the confluence ...
. *Arinagoto - once spoken on the
Paragua River The Paragua River is a river of Venezuela. It is part of the Orinoco River basin. It is the largest tributary of the Caroní River. The river drains the Guayanan Highlands moist forests ecoregion. See also *List of rivers of Venezuela This i ...
, state of Bolívar, now perhaps extinct. (Unattested.) *Paraparucota - once spoken between the Caura River and Cuchivero River, state of Bolívar; now extinct. (Unattested.) *Quiriquiripa - extinct language once spoken on the left bank of the Caura River. (Unattested.) *Aguaricoto - extinct language once spoken on the lower course of the Caura River, the same region. (Unattested.) *Serecong / Sarrakong - once spoken in the same region at the sources of the Mahú River. (Unattested.) *Chiricum - once spoken by the western neighbors of the Taurepán tribe in the Rio Branco territory. (Unattested.) *Achirigoto - once spoken on the left bank of the Caura River, middle course, in the state of Bolívar. (Unattested.) *Paudacoto - once spoken in the state of Bolívar at the sources of the Aro River. (Unattested.) *Cachirigoto - once spoken in the state of Bolívar south of the Camaracotó tribe. (Unattested.) *Barinagoto - once spoken at the mouth of the
Caroní River The Caroní River is the second most important river of Venezuela, the second in flow, and one of the longest, from the Kukenan tepui through to its confluence with the Orinoco River. The name "Caroní" is applied starting from the confluence ...
, Bolívar state, Venezuela. (Unattested.) *Arebato - once spoken in the village of Cuchara on the Caura River in the state of Bolívar, now perhaps extinct. (Unattested.) *Armacoto - once spoken in the same region between the
Paragua River The Paragua River is a river of Venezuela. It is part of the Orinoco River basin. It is the largest tributary of the Caroní River. The river drains the Guayanan Highlands moist forests ecoregion. See also *List of rivers of Venezuela This i ...
and Merevari River. (Unattested.) *Mauitsi - once spoken at the sources of the
Paragua River The Paragua River is a river of Venezuela. It is part of the Orinoco River basin. It is the largest tributary of the Caroní River. The river drains the Guayanan Highlands moist forests ecoregion. See also *List of rivers of Venezuela This i ...
in the same region. (Unattested.) *Uaica / Waica - spoken by a few families on the Yuruari River and Cuyuni River, state of Bolívar. *Acawai / Capong - spoken in Guyana on the Moruca River, Cuyuni River, Acarabisi River, and
Pomeroon River The Pomeroon River (also ''Río Pomerón'' ''or Pomaron'') is located in Guyana, South America, situated between the Orinoco and the Essequibo rivers. The area has long been inhabited by Lokono people. The Pomeroon River is also one of the deep ...
. ;Maquiritaré group *Decuána / Deukwana / Maquiritaré - spoken on the Caura River,
Ventuari River The Ventuari River is the largest tributary of the Orinoco in southern Venezuela. The Ventuari flows from south-central Venezuela in the Guiana Highlands southwest into the Orinoco River. It is long and its major tributary is the Manapiare River ...
, Merevari River, and
Auari River The Auari River (or Awaris River) is a river of Roraima state in northern Brazil. See also *List of rivers of Roraima List of rivers in Roraima (Brazilian State). The list is arranged by drainage basin, with respective tributaries indented unde ...
, state of Bolívar and Amazonas territory, Venezuela, and between the Cotingo River and Majari River, territory of Rio Branco, Brazil. *Yecuaná / Mayongcong - spoken on the Caura River southwest of the Arecuna tribe, state of Bolívar, Venezuela. *Ihuruána - spoken at the sources of the
Ventuari River The Ventuari River is the largest tributary of the Orinoco in southern Venezuela. The Ventuari flows from south-central Venezuela in the Guiana Highlands southwest into the Orinoco River. It is long and its major tributary is the Manapiare River ...
, territory of Amazonas, Venezuela. *Cunuaná / Kunuhana - spoken in the same territory at the sources of the
Cunucunuma River Cunucunuma River is a river of Venezuela. It is part of the Orinoco River basin. See also *List of rivers of Venezuela This is a list of rivers in Venezuela. By drainage basin This list is arranged by drainage basin, with respective tributaries ...
. (only four words.) *Morononi - extinct language once spoken in the same territory on the
Ventuari River The Ventuari River is the largest tributary of the Orinoco in southern Venezuela. The Ventuari flows from south-central Venezuela in the Guiana Highlands southwest into the Orinoco River. It is long and its major tributary is the Manapiare River ...
. (Unattested.) *Puipuitene - extinct language once spoken on the same river in the same territory by the neighbors of the Decuaná tribe. (Unattested.) *Acariana - once spoken by the neighbors of the Morononi tribe on the
Orinoco River The Orinoco () is one of the longest rivers in South America at . Its drainage basin, sometimes known as the Orinoquia, covers , with 76.3 percent of it in Venezuela and the remainder in Colombia. It is the fourth largest river in the wor ...
. (Unattested.) *Ocomesiane - once spoken in the same region on the
Padamo River Padamo River is a river of Venezuela. It is part of the Orinoco River basin. See also *List of rivers of Venezuela This is a list of rivers in Venezuela. By drainage basin This list is arranged by drainage basin, with respective tributaries in ...
. (Unattested.) *Areviriana - once spoken by the eastern neighbors of the Ihuruána tribe. (Unattested.) *Jure - once spoken on the left bank of the middle course of the
Ventuari River The Ventuari River is the largest tributary of the Orinoco in southern Venezuela. The Ventuari flows from south-central Venezuela in the Guiana Highlands southwest into the Orinoco River. It is long and its major tributary is the Manapiare River ...
. (Unattested.) *Pishauco / Pshavaco - once spoken on the Serra Tepequem, Rio Branco territory. (Unattested.) *Mejepure - once spoken on the left ban1e of the lower course of the
Ventuari River The Ventuari River is the largest tributary of the Orinoco in southern Venezuela. The Ventuari flows from south-central Venezuela in the Guiana Highlands southwest into the Orinoco River. It is long and its major tributary is the Manapiare River ...
. (Unattested.) *Aberiana - once spoken by the neighbors of the Acariana tribe on the upper course of the
Orinoco River The Orinoco () is one of the longest rivers in South America at . Its drainage basin, sometimes known as the Orinoquia, covers , with 76.3 percent of it in Venezuela and the remainder in Colombia. It is the fourth largest river in the wor ...
. (Unattested.) ;Mapoyo group *Mapoyo / Nepoyo - spoken by a small tribe between the Parguaza River and Suapure River, state of Bolívar, Venezuela. *Carinuaca - extinct language once spoken in the area between the Ihuruána and Yauarána tribes, territory of Amazonas, Venezuela. (Unattested.) *Curasicana / Kurushikiána / Orechicano - once spoken at the sources of the Biehita River, now by only a few individuals. (Unattested.) *Wökiare / Uaiquire - unknown language spoken in the same region on the
Paru River The Paru River is a northern tributary of the lower Amazon in Pará state in north-central Brazil. The river flows through the Uatuma-Trombetas moist forests ecoregion. Part of the river's basin is in the Maicuru Biological Reserve. In popular c ...
. (Unattested.) *Yauarána / Yabarána - language spoken in the same territory on the
Manapiare River Manapiare River is a river of Venezuela. It is part of the Orinoco River basin. See also *List of rivers of Venezuela This is a list of rivers in Venezuela. By drainage basin This list is arranged by drainage basin, with respective tributaries ...
. *Quaqua - once spoken by the northern neighbors of the Mapoyo tribe. (Unattested.) *Guaquiri - once spoken by the northern neighbors of the Curasicana tribe. (Unattested.) *Pareca - spoken in the region west of the Cuchivero River, now probably extinct. (Unattested.) *Taparito - extinct language once spoken on the middle course of the Caura River. (Unattested.) *Cadupinapo - once spoken by the southern neighbors of the Achirigoto tribe. (Unattested.) *Tabajari - now probably extinct, once spoken on the left bank of the
Erebato River Erebato River is a river of Venezuela, tributary of the Caura River. It is part of the Orinoco River basin. See also *List of rivers of Venezuela This is a list of rivers in Venezuela. By drainage basin This list is arranged by drainage basin, ...
, state of Bolívar. (Unattested.) ;Panare group *Panáre - language of a small tribe, spoken at the sources of the Cuchivero River, state of Bolívar, Venezuela. *Abira - once spoken at the sources of the
Manapiare River Manapiare River is a river of Venezuela. It is part of the Orinoco River basin. See also *List of rivers of Venezuela This is a list of rivers in Venezuela. By drainage basin This list is arranged by drainage basin, with respective tributaries ...
. (Unattested.) *Eye - once spoken by the southwestern neighbors of the Panáre tribe at the sources of the Cuchivero River. (Unattested.) ;Tamanaco group *Tamanaco - extinct language once spoken along the
Orinoco River The Orinoco () is one of the longest rivers in South America at . Its drainage basin, sometimes known as the Orinoquia, covers , with 76.3 percent of it in Venezuela and the remainder in Colombia. It is the fourth largest river in the wor ...
from the mouth of the Caroni River to the mouth of the Cuchivero River, state of Bolívar, Venezuela. *Chayma / Guarapiche / Sayma - extinct language once spoken on the
Guarapiche River Guarapiche River is a river of north-eastern Venezuela. It flows into the San Juan River. Course Its origin is in the canyon named Puertas de Miraflores in the Turimiquire Range. Together with it flows into a short body named Caño Francés w ...
, state of Anzoátegui, Venezuela. *Cumanagota - extinct language once spoken on the Cabo Codera and near
Cumaná Cumaná () is the capital city of Venezuela's Sucre State. It is located east of Caracas. Cumaná was one of the first cities founded by Spain in the mainland Americas and is the oldest continuously-inhabited Hispanic-established city in South ...
, state of Sucre, Venezuela. *Tivericoto - once spoken on the coast of the state of Monagas, Venezuela *Palenque - once spoken between the
Unare River The Unare River is a river of Venezuela. It drains into the Caribbean Sea. In the 17th century the Dutch had a fort at the mouth of the river. It was constructed to protect their salt collection in the area. The other Dutch fort ever to stand on w ...
and Tamanaco River, Guárico state. *Caraca - once spoken around the modern capital of Caracas, Venezuela. (A. Espinosa (Vazquez de Espinosa) 1948, pp. 36-37, only a few words.) *Ciparigoto - extinct language once spoken on the
Yaracuy River The Yaracuy River is a river of Venezuela. It drains into the Caribbean Sea. See also *List of rivers of Venezuela This is a list of rivers in Venezuela. By drainage basin This list is arranged by drainage basin, with respective tributaries ind ...
and Aroa River, state of Yaracuy. (Unattested.) *Teque - once spoken in the Guaire valley, state of Miranda. (Unattested.) *Tacarigua - once spoken around Lake Valencia, Miranda. (Unattested.) *Toromaina - once spoken on the San Pedro River, federal district of Venezuela. (Unattested.) *Arbaco - once spoken around the modern city of Victoria, state of Aragua. (Unattested.) *Meregoto - once spoken on the western shore of Lake Valencia in the state of Aragua. (Unattested.) *Quiriquire - extinct language once spoken on the
Tuy River The Tuy River is a river of northern Venezuela, in the Valles del Tuy (Tuy Valleys) of Miranda State. The principal river of Miranda, it flows north from Aragua State through Miranda into the Caribbean Sea. Tributaries include the Guaire River, th ...
and Misoa River, state of Miranda. (Oramas 1918a, only a few patronyms.) *Chapacuare - once spoken in the Pascua valley, state of Guárico. (Unattested.) *Tarma - once spoken near the modern city of
Maracay ) , image_skyline = , image_caption =Top:Maracay Municipal Garden and Las Delicias area, Second: Sindoni Tower, Los Tamarindo residential area and overview to Maracay, Third:Maestranza Cesar Giron Bullring Stadium, Girardot Square and Maraca ...
, state of Aragua. (Unattested.) *Mariche - once spoken in the
Baruta Baruta (pop. 317,288) is a municipality within the Metropolitan District of Caracas in Venezuela. Geography Baruta is located geographically in the South-East section of the city. Its western limit is the '' Los Chaguaramos'' neighborhood ( ...
valley, state of Miranda. (Unattested.) *Guayqueri - extinct language once spoken on the Paoviejo River, state of Cojedes. (Gumilla 1745, pt. 2, pp. 67-68, only one phrase.) *Tomuza - once spoken between the Chico River and Piritú River, states of Miranda and Anzoátegui. (Unattested.) *Haerena / Guarena - once spoken between the
Guarenas River Guarenas is a city in Miranda, Venezuela. It was established in 1621 as ''Nuestra Señora de Copacabana de los Guarenas''. It is part of the Guarenas-Guatire conurbation On February 27, 1989, a morning protest in this city over the recent nati ...
and Guatire River, state of Anzoátegui. (Unattested.) *Piritú - once spoken around the modern city of
Puerto Píritu Puerto Píritu is a Venezuelan city located in the north-central coast of Anzoátegui State, with a population more than 11,000. It is the capital of the Fernando de Peñalver Municipality, and located 46 km from the centre of Barcelona, ...
, state of Anzoátegui. (Unattested.) *Tagare - once spoken on the coast of the Gulf of Cariaco, state of Sucre. (Unattested.) *Pariagoto / Guayuno - extinct language once spoken on the
Paria Peninsula The Paria Peninsula () is a large peninsula on the Caribbean Sea, in the state of Sucre in northern Venezuela. Geography Separating the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Paria, the peninsula is part of the mountain range, in the Venezuelan ...
in the state of Sucre. *Chamaygua - once spoken in the state of Sucre by the neighbors of the Cumanagota tribe. (Unattested.) ;Yao group *Yao / Anacaioury - language once spoken by two tribes: one on the western part of the island of Trinidad; the other in French Guiana on the Ivaricopo River and Cau River. ;Shebayi group *Shebayi / Supaye - extinct language once spoken in the Guianas; exact location is unknown. ;Motilon group *Yupe / Motilon - spoken by many tribes in the Sierra de Perijá, state of Zulia, Venezuela, and in the department of Magdalena, Colombia. Dialects: **Chague / Apon - spoken on the Apon River, Zulia. **Iroca - spoken on the Casacará River, Magdalena. *Macoa - spoken on the Yasa River and
Negro River Río Negro (Spanish and Portuguese, 'Black River') may refer to: Rivers Brazil * Rio Negro (Amazon), tributary of the Amazon River * Rio Negro (Mato Grosso do Sul) * Rio Negro (Paraná) * Rio Negro (Rio de Janeiro) * Rio Negro (Rondônia) * ...
, Zulia. *Manastara - spoken on the Becerril River, Zulia. *Maraca - spoken by a tribe at the source of the Machigue River and on the Maraca River, Magdalena. *Parirí - spoken to the south of the Apon River. *Shapáru / Chaparro - spoken by the western neighbors of the Parirí tribe, Zulia. *Uasamo - spoken in the same area by the northern neighbors of the Shapáru tribe. (Unattested.) *Susa - spoken in the central part of the Sierra de Perijá, Magdalena. (Unattested.) *Manaure - spoken on the left bank of the lower course of the La Paz River, Magdalena. (Unattested.) *Tucushmo - spoken by the northern neighbors of the Iroca tribe, Magdalena. (Unattested.) *Socorpa - spoken in the same area by the northern neighbors of the Maracá tribe. (Unattested.) *Curumaní - spoken south of the Tucui River, Magdalena. (Unattested.) *Socomba - spoken between the sources of the Maracá River and Tucui River, formerly also on the Buenavista River, Magdalena. (Unattested.) *Tucuco - spoken at the sources of the Tucuco River, Zulia. (Unattested.) *Shiquimu - spoken by the southwestern neighbors of the Shaparu tribe, Zulia. (Unattested.) *Irapa - spoken by the eastern neighbors of the Shiguimu tribe. (Unattested.) *Pshicacuo - spoken by the western neighbors of the Tucuco tribe. (Unattested.) *Mishorca - spoken at the sources of the Tucuco River by the neighbors of the Pariri tribe. (Unattested.) *Yapreria / Sabril - spoken at the sources of the
Palmar River The Palmar River ( es, Rio El Palmar) is a river of Venezuela. It drains into Lake Maracaibo. The Palmar River rises in the Serranía del Perijá. In its lower reaches it flows through an area of the Catatumbo moist forests ecoregion. It then flo ...
, Zulia. (Anonymous Madrid h.) *Coyaima / Tupe - extinct language once spoken on the César River, Magdalena. (Castro Trespalacios 1946, only a few patronyms.) *Burede - once spoken at the sources of the Socuy River, Zulia. (Unattested.) *Pemeno - once spoken at the mouth of the Escalante River, Zulia. (Unattested.) *Bubure / Bobure - once spoken in the state of Zulia around the modern cities of Bobures and Gibraltar. (Unattested.) *Quenagua - extinct language once spoken in Espiritu Santo Valley in the state of Zulia. (Unattested.) *Umaquena - once spoken on the Umaquena River, Zulia. (Unattested.) *Sunesua - once spoken by the southern neighbors of the Quenaga tribe in the Espiritu Santo Valley, Zulia. (Unattested.) *Lobatera - once spoken around the modern city of Lobatera, state of Táchira. (Unattested.) *Táchira - once spoken on the Táchira River, state of Táchira. (Unattested.) *Tapano - once spoken in the state of Mérida between Lake Onia and Lake Motilon. (Unattested.) *Miyuse - once spoken in the state of Mérida on the Mucujepe River and Tucani River. (Unattested.) ;Pijao group *Pijao / Pinao - once spoken on the Luisa River, Otaima River, Tuamo River, Tetuán River, Aipe River, and
Magdalena River The Magdalena River ( es, Río Magdalena, ; less commonly ) is the main river of Colombia, flowing northward about through the western half of the country. It takes its name from the biblical figure Mary Magdalene. It is navigable through much of ...
, now in the villages of Ortega, Coyaima, and Natagaima, department of Tolima, Colombia. *Pantagora / Palenque - once spoken between the Guarinó River and San Bartolomé River, department of Calcias, Colombia. (Unattested.) *Colima - extinct language once spoken on the right bank of the
Magdalena River The Magdalena River ( es, Río Magdalena, ; less commonly ) is the main river of Colombia, flowing northward about through the western half of the country. It takes its name from the biblical figure Mary Magdalene. It is navigable through much of ...
and on the
Negro River Río Negro (Spanish and Portuguese, 'Black River') may refer to: Rivers Brazil * Rio Negro (Amazon), tributary of the Amazon River * Rio Negro (Mato Grosso do Sul) * Rio Negro (Paraná) * Rio Negro (Rio de Janeiro) * Rio Negro (Rondônia) * ...
and Pacho River, Cundinamarca department. *Muzo - once spoken at the sources of the Carare River and in the Paima Valley, department of Cundinamarca. (only a few words.) *Nauta - once spoken by the northern neighbors of the Muzo tribe. (Unattested.) *Panche - extinct language once spoken on the Gualí River, Mariquita River, Guarinó River, Coello River, Villeta River, Seco River,
Magdalena River The Magdalena River ( es, Río Magdalena, ; less commonly ) is the main river of Colombia, flowing northward about through the western half of the country. It takes its name from the biblical figure Mary Magdalene. It is navigable through much of ...
, and Fusagasuga River, Cundinamarca. *Agatá - once spoken in the department of Cundinamarca on the
Magdalena River The Magdalena River ( es, Río Magdalena, ; less commonly ) is the main river of Colombia, flowing northward about through the western half of the country. It takes its name from the biblical figure Mary Magdalene. It is navigable through much of ...
, east of the Chibcha tribe. (Unattested.) *Amani - spoken by the western neighbors of the Pantagora tribe in the department of Caldas. (Unattested.) *Neiva - once spoken around the modern city of Neiva in the department of Huila. (Unattested.) *Manipo - once spoken at the mouth of the La Plata River in the same area. (Unattested.) *Ajie - unknown language of an extinct tribe that once lived in the territory of Meta at the sources of the Tagua River and Losada River. (Unattested.) ;Opone group *Opone - extinct language once spoken on the Opone River, department of Santander, Colombia. *Carare - spoken by a few individuals on the Carare River in the department of Santander. *Yariguí - once spoken on the Sogamoso River and in Barranca Bermeja in the same department. (Unattested.) *Hacaritama - once spoken around present-day Hacaritama city in the department of Santander. *Xiriguana - extinct language of a tribe once living in the department of Santander in the Cordillera de Lebaja. (Unattested.) *Carate - once spoken around the modern city of Ocaña, department of Norte de Santander. (Unattested.) *Corbago - once spoken in the department of Magdalena in the Sierra de Mene. (Unattested.) *Guane - once spoken in the department of Santander at the sources of the Tarare River. (Gumilla 1745, pt. 2, p. 40, only two words.) *Chinato - extinct language once spoken on the upper course of the
Zulia River Zulia River () is a river in Venezuela and Colombia. It is a tributary of the Catatumbo River. The Zulia forms a small part of the international boundary between the two countries. Zulia Zulia State ( es, Estado Zulia, ; Wayuu: ''Mma’ipaka ...
, department of Norte de Santander, around the modern city of
Cúcuta Cúcuta (), officially San José de Cúcuta, is a Colombian municipality, capital of the department of Norte de Santander and nucleus of the Metropolitan Area of Cúcuta. The city is located in the homonymous valley, at the foot of the Eastern ...
. (Unattested.) *Zorca - once spoken in the same department in the San Cristóbal Valley (Unattested.) *Cariquena - once spoken on the Cariquena River in the state of Táchira, Venezuela. (Unattested.) *Capacho - once spoken around the village of
Capacho La Coronilla is a village in the Rocha Department of southeastern Uruguay. Location The village is located on the Atlantic coast on Route 9, about south of Chuy Chuy () is a city in the extreme east of Uruguay, in the Rocha Department, n ...
in the state of Táchira, Venezuela. (Unattested.) ;Carijona group *Guaque / Huaque / Murcielaga - extinct language once spoken on the Inganos River, Caquetá territory, Colombia. *Carijona / Kalihóna - language now spoken by a few individuals on the middle course of the
Caquetá River Caquetá may refer to: * Caquetá River, a river in Colombia * Caquetá Territory, a former territory of Colombia * Caquetá Department Caquetá Department () is a department of Colombia. Located in the Amazonas region, Caquetá borders wit ...
, territory of Caquetá. *Umáua / Hiánocoto / Máua - language spoken at the sources of the Apoporis River in the territory of Caquetá. *Saha / Tsahatsaha - spoken in the territory of Caquetá between the Cuemani River and Yarí River. (Unattested.) *Riama - spoken between the
Yari River is the term for a traditionally-made Japanese blade (日本刀; nihontō) in the form of a spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear. The martial art of wielding the is called . History The forerunner of the is thought to be ...
, Apoporis River, and
Vaupés River Vaupés River (Uaupés River) is a tributary of the Rio Negro in South America. It rises in the Guaviare Department of Colombia, flowing east through Guaviare and Vaupés Departments. It forms part of the international border between the Vaupés ...
, territories of Caquetá and Vaupés. (Unattested.) *Mahotoyana - spoken in the territory of Vaupés on the Macaya River. (Unattested.) *Ajajú - unknown language spoken on the Ajaju River, Amazonas territory. (Unattested.) ;Patagon group *Patagon - extinct language once spoken in the villages of Paca, Olipanche, and Bagua and around the modern city of Jaén, department of Cajamarca, Peru. (only a few words.) ;Arara group *Arára / Ajujure / Cabanaé / Opinadkóm - extinct language once spoken on the right bank of the Pacajá Grande River and on the upper course of the Anapu River, Pará, Brazil. *Apingi / Apeiaca / Apiacá de Tocantins - language spoken between the
Tocantins River The Tocantins River ( pt, Rio Tocantins, link=no , , Parkatêjê: ''Pyti'' ɨˈti is a river in Brazil, the central fluvial artery of the country. In the Tupi language, its name means " toucan's beak" (''Tukã'' for "toucan" and ''Ti'' for "beak ...
and Jacunda River, state of Pará. Now spoken by only a few individuals. *Parirí - once spoken at the sources of the
Pacajá River The Pacajá River ( pt, Rio Pacajá) is a river of Pará state in north-central Brazil. It is a tributary of the Pará River, a channel that connects the Amazon and Tocantins rivers to the south of Marajó island. The basin of the Pacajá River i ...
, Jacundá River, and Arataú River, Pará, now perhaps extinct. *Timirem / Antimilene - language of an unknown tribe that live in the virgin forests on the Agua de Saúde River, Pará. (Unattested.) *Yuma - extinct language once spoken on the Jacaré River and
Ituxi River Ituxi River is a river of Amazonas state in north-western Brazil. It is a tributary of the Purus River. Course The Ituxi River is in length. It originates near Acrelândia in the state of Acre. It is a blackwater river that flows through the ...
, territory of Rondônia. (Unattested.) ;Palmela group *Palmela - extinct language once spoken at the mouth of the São Simão River in the
Guaporé River Guaporé River ( pt, Rio Guaporé, es, Río Iténez) is a river in western Brazil and northeastern Bolivia. It is long; of the river forms the border between Brazil and Bolivia. The Guaporé River is part of the Madeira River basin, which eve ...
, Rondônia. ;Pimenteira group *Pimenteira - Portuguese name of an extinct language the original name of which is unknown, spoken once at the sources of the Sant' Anna River and on Lake Pimenteira and between the
Piauí River Piauí River may refer to: * Piauí River (Piauí) * Piauí River (Alagoas) * Piauí River (Minas Gerais) * Piauí River (Sergipe) {{geodis ...
and Gurgueia River, state of Piauí, Brazil. ;Xingú group *Yaruma / Aruma - spoken at the sources of the
Paranaíba River The Paranaíba River is a Brazilian river whose source lies in the state of Minas Gerais in the Mata da Corda mountains, municipality of Rio Paranaíba, at an altitude of 1,148 meters; on the other face of this mountain chain are the sources of t ...
, state of Mato Grosso, now perhaps extinct. *Bacairí / Bacaery - originally spoken between the Batoví River and
Curisevú River The Curisevo River (or Curisevú River) is a river of Mato Grosso state in western Brazil. It flows through the Xingu Indigenous Park The Xingu Indigenous Park (, pronounced ) is an indigenous territory of Brazil, first created in 1961 as a nat ...
, later on the Paranatinga River, now by only a few families on the Posto Simões Lopes, Mato Grosso. *Nahukwá / Naucuá / Anáukwá - language spoken between the
Curisevú River The Curisevo River (or Curisevú River) is a river of Mato Grosso state in western Brazil. It flows through the Xingu Indigenous Park The Xingu Indigenous Park (, pronounced ) is an indigenous territory of Brazil, first created in 1961 as a nat ...
and
Culuene River The Culuene River, or Kuluene River is a 600 km tributary of Xingu River in Mato Grosso, a state in western Brazil. The main economic activities in the region are agriculture and cattle farming. It joins the Xingu from the southeast in the X ...
, with many dialects: **Yanumakapü / Nahukwá proper - northern dialect. **Etagl - spoken in the village of Etagl. **Kuikutl / Guicurú / Cuicuro - spoken on the
Culuene River The Culuene River, or Kuluene River is a 600 km tributary of Xingu River in Mato Grosso, a state in western Brazil. The main economic activities in the region are agriculture and cattle farming. It joins the Xingu from the southeast in the X ...
in the village of Cuicuro. **Kalapalo / Apalaquiri - spoken in the village of the same name on the
Culuene River The Culuene River, or Kuluene River is a 600 km tributary of Xingu River in Mato Grosso, a state in western Brazil. The main economic activities in the region are agriculture and cattle farming. It joins the Xingu from the southeast in the X ...
. **Matipú / Matipuhy - spoken in the village of the same name on the right bank of the
Curisevú River The Curisevo River (or Curisevú River) is a river of Mato Grosso state in western Brazil. It flows through the Xingu Indigenous Park The Xingu Indigenous Park (, pronounced ) is an indigenous territory of Brazil, first created in 1961 as a nat ...
. **Yamarikuná - spoken on the
Curisevú River The Curisevo River (or Curisevú River) is a river of Mato Grosso state in western Brazil. It flows through the Xingu Indigenous Park The Xingu Indigenous Park (, pronounced ) is an indigenous territory of Brazil, first created in 1961 as a nat ...
. **Suva / Tsúva - spoken by a few people on the right bank of the
Curisevú River The Curisevo River (or Curisevú River) is a river of Mato Grosso state in western Brazil. It flows through the Xingu Indigenous Park The Xingu Indigenous Park (, pronounced ) is an indigenous territory of Brazil, first created in 1961 as a nat ...
. (Unattested.) **Naravute / Naravóto - spoken on the
Curisevú River The Curisevo River (or Curisevú River) is a river of Mato Grosso state in western Brazil. It flows through the Xingu Indigenous Park The Xingu Indigenous Park (, pronounced ) is an indigenous territory of Brazil, first created in 1961 as a nat ...
. **Aipats - spoken on the
Curisevú River The Curisevo River (or Curisevú River) is a river of Mato Grosso state in western Brazil. It flows through the Xingu Indigenous Park The Xingu Indigenous Park (, pronounced ) is an indigenous territory of Brazil, first created in 1961 as a nat ...
; now probably extinct. (Unattested.) **Auwáwiti - spoken by a few people on the
Curisevú River The Curisevo River (or Curisevú River) is a river of Mato Grosso state in western Brazil. It flows through the Xingu Indigenous Park The Xingu Indigenous Park (, pronounced ) is an indigenous territory of Brazil, first created in 1961 as a nat ...
. (Unattested.)


Vocabulary

Loukotka (1968) lists the following basic vocabulary items for the Cariban (Karaib) languages.


Proto-language

Proto-Cariban phonology according to Gildea (2012): : : Proto-Cariban reconstructions by Gildea (2007, 2012):Gildea, S. (2012). Linguistic studies in the Cariban family. In Campbell, L. & Grondona, V. (eds.), The Indigenous Languages of South America: A Comprehensive Guide. 441-494, Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton. Accessed fro
DiACL
9 February 2020.


See also

*
List of Spanish words of Indigenous American Indian origin This is a list of Spanish words that come from indigenous languages of the Americas. It is further divided into words that come from Arawakan, Aymara, Carib, Mayan, Nahuatl, Quechua, Taíno, Tarahumara, Tupi and uncertain (the word is known to ...
*
Arawak peoples The Arawak are a group of indigenous peoples of northern South America and of the Caribbean. Specifically, the term "Arawak" has been applied at various times to the Lokono of South America and the Taíno, who historically lived in the Greate ...
*
Arawakan languages Arawakan (''Arahuacan, Maipuran Arawakan, "mainstream" Arawakan, Arawakan proper''), also known as Maipurean (also ''Maipuran, Maipureano, Maipúre''), is a language family that developed among ancient indigenous peoples in South America. Branc ...
*
Carib language Carib or Kari'nja is a Cariban language spoken by the Kalina people (Caribs) of South America. It is spoken by around 7,400 mostly in Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Brazil. The language is currently classified as highly endanger ...
*
Taíno language Taíno is an extinct Arawakan language that was spoken by the Taíno people of the Caribbean. At the time of Spanish contact, it was the most common language throughout the Caribbean. Classic Taíno (Taíno proper) was the native language of th ...
*
Garifuna language Garifuna (Karif) is a minority language widely spoken in villages of Garifuna people in the western part of the northern coast of Central America. It is a member of the Arawakan language family but an atypical one since it is spoken outside t ...


Further reading

*Anselmo, L.; Gutiérrez Salazar, M. (1981). Diccionario Pemón. Caracas: Ediciones CORPOVEN. *Camargo, E. (2002). Léxico bilingüe aparai - português / português - aparai. (Languages of the World: Dictionaries, 28.). München: Lincom Europa. *Courtz, H. (2008). A Carib Grammar and Dictionary. Toronto: Magoria Books. *Gildea, S. Payne, D. (2007). Is Greenberg's “Macro-Carib” viable? Boletim do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi Ciências Humanas, 2:19-72. *Girard, V. (1971a). Proto-Carib phonology. Berkeley: University of California at Berkeley. (Doctoral dissertation). *Mattei-Müller, M. (1994). Diccionario ilustrado Panare-Español con índice español-panare. Caracas: Comisión Nacional Quinto Centenario. *Pet. W. J. A. (1987). Lokono Dian: the Arawak Language of Suriname: A Sketch of its Grammatical Structure and Lexicon. Ithaca: Cornell University. (Doctoral dissertation). *Puig, M. M. P. (1944). Diccionario de la Lengua Caribe Cuna. Panamá: La Estrella de Panamá. *Vitorino, M. M. (1991). Dicionário bilíngüe Wai-Wai/Português, Português/Wai-Wai. Boa Vista: Missão Evangélica da Amazônia.


References


External links


Etnolinguistica.Org: online resources on native South American languagesKa'lina (Carib) Vocabulary List
(from the World Loanword Database) {{South American languages Language families Indigenous languages of the South American Northeast Languages of Venezuela