Sirionó

A language of Bolivia

ISO 639: srq
Alternate Names: Mbia Chee, Mbya
Population: 190 (Crevels 2012), increasing. 30 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 980 (2016 L. Evans). More than half the ethnic group is under 15 years old (Crevels 2007).
Location:: El Beni and Santa Cruz departments: Ibiato (Eviato); Salvatierra on Río Blanco river.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened).
Classification: Tupian, Tupí-Guaraní, Guarayú, Sirionó
Dialects: None known. Reportedly similar to Yuqui [yuq].
Typology: 13 consonants and 6 vowels; whistle speech reported.
Language Use: More and more of the children do not acquire the language (Crevels 2007). Religious services. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. All also use Spanish [spa].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 40%. 250 can read, 50 can write. Taught in primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1977.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Sirionó
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Christian.

Location: El Beni and Santa Cruz departments: Ibiato (Eviato); Salvatierra on Río Blanco river.