Page Type: languageWapishana | Ethnologue

WAP ISO 639-3

Wapishana

A language of Guyana

ISO 639
wap
Alternate Names
Uapixana, Vapidiana, Wapichan, Wapichana, Wapisana, Wapishshiana, Wapisiana, Wapitxana, Wapixana
Population
6,000 in Guyana (2000 J. Forte). Ethnic population: 6,900 (Crevels 2007). Total users in all countries: 12,500.
Location:
East Berbice-Corentyne and Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo regions: southwest, south of the Kanuku mountains, a few villages northwest of the Waiwai [waw] language area.
Language Status
6b* (Threatened).
Classification
Maipurean, Northern, Maritime, Wapixana
Dialects
Amariba. Lexical similarity: 10% with Mapidian [mpw].
Typology
18 consonants and 4 vowels.
Language Use
Amariba dialect may have no remaining speakers. Also use English [eng]. Used as L2 by Atorada [aox], Taruma [tdm].
Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2012.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Wapishana
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Traditional religion, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Wapishana
User Population
6,500 in Brazil (2000 ISA). Ethnic population: 7,000 (Crevels 2012).
Location
Roraima state: 23 indigenous lands.
Dialects
Amariba, Atorai.
Language Status
7 (Shifting)
Other Comments
Atorai dialect is not the same as the language Waimiri-Atroarí [atr].
View other languages of Brazil

Map

Location: East Berbice-Corentyne and Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo regions: southwest, south of the Kanuku mountains, a few villages northwest of the Waiwai [waw] language area.