Page Type: languageWaiwai | Ethnologue

WAW ISO 639-3

Waiwai

UaiUai Autonym

A language of Brazil

ISO 639
waw
Alternate Names
Ouayeone, Tunayana-Waiwai, Uaieue, Wai Wai
Autonym
UaiUai
Population
2,020 in Brazil (Moore 2006). Ethnic population: 2,900 (2005 ISA). Total users in all countries: 2,230.
Location:
Pará and Roraima states.
Language Status
5* (Developing).
Classification
Cariban, Waiwai
Dialects
Katawian (Cachuena, Catauian, Catawian, Karahawyana, Katawina, Katuena, Katwena, Parucutu, Parukutu, Tonayana, Tunayana). Voegelin and Voegelin (1977) treat Katawian as a separate language.
Typology
14 consonants and 6 vowels.
Language Use
Some also use Portuguese [por]. Used as L2 by Hixkaryána [hix], Mapidian [mpw], Sikiana [sik].
Language Development
Grammar. Bible: 2002.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Waiwai
Writing
Latin script [Latn].

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Waiwai
User Population
200 in Guyana (Forte 1990). Ethnic population: 240 (Crevels 2007).
Location
Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region: southwest, headwaters of Essequibo river.
Dialects
Katawian (Katawina, Katwena).
Language Status
8a (Moribund)
View other languages of Guyana
Language Name
Waiwai
User Population
10 in Suriname (Crevels 2007), decreasing. Ethnic population: 80 (Crevels 2007).
Location
Sipaliwini district: Kwamalasamutu area, Sipaliwini river, among Trio [tri] language speakers.
Dialects
Tunayana.
Language Status
8b (Nearly extinct)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. A few came to Suriname in the 1960s and now speak Trio [tri] as L1 (Crevels 2007). Christian.
View other languages of Suriname

Map

Location: Pará and Roraima states.