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Terêna language
Arawakan language of Brazil From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Terêna or Etelena is an Arawakan language spoken by 15,000 Terenas. The language has a dictionary and written grammar.[3] Many Terena people have low Portuguese proficiency. It is spoken in Mato Grosso do Sul. About 20% are literate in their language, 80% literate in Portuguese.[citation needed]
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Terêna has an active–stative syntax[4] and verb-object-subject as default word order.[5]
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Dialects
Terêna originally had four varieties: Kinikinao, Terena proper, Guaná, and Chané. These varieties have sometimes been considered to be separate languages.[6] Carvalho (2016) has since demonstrated all four to be the same language.[7] Only Terena proper is still spoken.
Language contact
Terena originated in the Northwestern Chaco.[8] As a result, many Northern Guaicuruan loanwords can be found in Terena.[9]
There are also many Tupi-Guarani loanwords in Terena and other southern Arawakan languages.[10]
Phonology
Consonants
/w, ʃ, n, l/ may often be heard as [v, tʃ, ɲ, ʎ].[11]
Vowels
[ɨ] is heard as an allophone of /i/.[12]
See also
References
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