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Terêna language

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Arawakan language of Brazil

TerênaorEtelena is spoken by 15,000 Brazilians. The language has a dictionary and written grammar.^[3] Many Terena people have low Portuguese proficiency. It is spoken in Mato Grosso do Sul. About 20% are literate in their language, 80% literate in Portuguese.^{[citation needed]}

Terêna has an active–stative syntax^[4] and verb-object-subject as default word order.^[5]

Varieties[edit]

Terêna had four varieties: Kinikinao, Terena proper, Guaná, and Chané. These varieties have sometimes been considered to be separate languages.^[6] Carvalho (2016) has since demonstrated all four to be the same language.^[7] Only Terena proper is still spoken.

Language contact[edit]

Terena originated in the Northwestern Chaco.^[8] As a result, many Northern Guaicuruan loanwords can be found in Terena.^[9]

There are also many Tupi-Guarani loanwords in Terena and other southern Arawakan languages.^[10]

Phonology[edit]

Consonants[edit]

/w, ʃ, n, l/ may often be heard as [v, tʃ, ɲ, ʎ].^[11]

Vowels[edit]

[ɨ] is heard as an allophone of /i/.^[12]

See also[edit]

• Terena Sign Language

References[edit]