Page Type: languageNhengatu | Ethnologue

YRL ISO 639-3

Nhengatu

Ñe’engatú Autonym

A language of Brazil

ISO 639
yrl
Alternate Names
Coastal Tupian, Geral, Língua Geral, Língua Geral Amazônica, Modern Tupí, Nheengatú, Nyengato, Nyengatú, Waengatu, Yeral, Ñeegatú
Autonym
Ñe’engatú
Population
6,000 in Brazil (2020). Total users in all countries: 14,000.
Location:
Amazonas state: Içana, Lower Vaupés, Xié and Negro river areas.
Language Status
6b (Threatened).
Classification
Tupian, Tupí-Guaraní, Tupí, Tupí
Dialects
None known. Based on Tupinambá, developed by Portuguese during 17th and 18th centuries as lingua franca.
Typology
19 consonants and 4 vowels.
Language Use
Used as L1 by several ethnic groups in the upper Rio Negro region. In Nhengatu-speaking communities along the Içana and Xié rivers, all children speak it. In communities along the Rio Negro and Vaupes rivers some children speak it while others shifting to Portuguese [por] (2020 M. Luz). In the Vaupés area it is being replaced by Tukano [tuo] (Crevels 2007). Some young people, all adults. All also use Tucano [tuo]. Many also use Baniwa [bwi]. Many also use Portuguese [por]. A few also use Spanish [spa], along the Colombia border. Used as L2 by Baniwa [bwi], Baré [bae], Koripako [kpc], Siriano [sri], Warekena [gae].
Language Development
NT: 1973.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nhengatu
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Language of the Baré [bae] tribe, with several ethnic groups identifying as Baré and speaking Nhengatu. Many Baniwa [bwi], Koripako [kpc] and Warekana [gae] communities also use Nhengatu as their L1 (2020 M. Luz).

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Nhengatu
User Population
8,000 in Colombia (2004 IMB). Ethnic population: 570 (2018 census).
Location
Guainía department: Rio Negro; Vaupés department: Caruru and Yavarate municipalities.
Language Status
7 (Shifting)
View other languages of Colombia
Language Name
Nengatu
User Population
Very few, if any, speakers left in Venezuela (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 2,130 (2011 census).
Location
Amazonas state: Brazil border area, Río Negro area, lower Guainía department, San Pedro and Bultón.
Language Status
8b (Nearly extinct)
View other languages of Venezuela

Map

Location: Amazonas state: Içana, Lower Vaupés, Xié and Negro river areas.