Nasa | Ethnologue

A language of Colombia

ISO 639: pbb
Alternate Names: Nasayuwe, “Paes” (pej.), “Páez” (pej.)
Autonym: Nasa Yuwe
Population: 60,000 (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 243,000 (2018 census).
Location:: Cauca, Huila, and Tolima departments: Popayán area, central Andes range.
Language Status: 6b* (Threatened).
Classification: Paezan, Paezan
Dialects: Pitayo, Paniquita (Panikita).
Typology: SOV; 35 consonants and 24 vowels, contrasting in nasality, length and creaky voice.
Language Use: Many pass the language on, but some prefer to have children use only Spanish [spa] (Crevels 2007). Religious services, commerce. Most also use Spanish [spa], the predominant language of instruction in schools.
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 10%–30%. Literacy rate in L2: 75% (2005 Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística). Some attempts, mainly literacy courses, have been made to promote the language. Some private primary schools teach reading and writing in Nasa along with Spanish [spa]. Taught in secondary schools. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1980–2014.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Nasa
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Christian.

Location: Cauca, Huila, and Tolima departments: Popayán area, central Andes range.