Kunza language
Extinct language of Chile and Peru From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kunza (Kunza: Likanantaí) is a mostly extinct language isolate spoken in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile and southern Peru by the Atacama people, who have since shifted to Spanish. The last speaker was documented in 1949; however, it has since been learned that the language is still spoken in the desert.[1]
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Other names and spellings include Cunza, Ckunsa, Likanantaí, Lipe, Ulipe, and Atacameño. The word Ckunsa means 'our' in Kunza.[2]
History
The language was spoken in northern Chile, specifically in the Chilean villages of Peine, Socaire (near the Salar de Atacama), and Caspana, and in southern Peru.
The last Kunza speaker was found in 1949, although there are reports of some having been found in 1953 according to anthropologists.[3] There are 2,000 Atacameños (W. Adelaar).
Unattested varieties listed by Loukotka (1968):
- Atacameño of Bolivia – spoken in a small village on the frontier of Potosí Department, Bolivia, and Antofagasta Province of Chile
- Lipe (Olipe) – extinct language once spoken south of the Salar de Uyuni, Potosí Department, Bolivia
A revitalization effort was initiated in the 21st century.[4]
Classification
Kaufman (1990) found a proposed connection between Kunza and the likewise unclassified Kapixaná to be plausible; however, the language was more fully described in 2004, and the general consensus among linguists was that both languages are isolates.[citation needed]
Language contact
Jolkesky (2016) notes that there are lexical similarities with the Mochika, Kandoshi, Jaqi, Kechua, Mapudungun, and Uru-Chipaya language families due to contact.[5]
Phonology
See also
References
External links
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