Timotean languages
| Timótean | |
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution | Venezuela |
| Linguistic classification | Timotean |
| Subdivisions | |
| Language codes | |
| Glottolog | timo1263 |
| ELP | Lua error in Module:Endangered_Languages_Project at line 21: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
 Timote and Cuica toponyms | |
The Timotean languages were spoken in the Venezuelan Andes around what is now Mérida. It is assumed that they are extinct. However, Timote may survive in the so-far unattested Mutú (Loco) language, as this occupies a mountain village (Mutús) within the old Timote state.[1][2]
Genetic relations
[edit | edit source]There is no apparent connection to the Chibchan, Arawakan, or Cariban families, apart from sporadic resemblances with Paez and some divergent Chibchan languages, so Timotean appears to be an independent family.
Jolkesky (2016) also notes that there are lexical similarities with the Jirajaran languages.[3]
Languages
[edit | edit source]There were two closely related languages, each a pair of dialects:
- Timote–Cuica (Miguri, Cuica, "Cicua", spoken by the Timoto–Cuica people)
- Mucuchí–Maripú (Mocochí, Mirripú)
Traditionally, Mucuchí and Mirripú have been classified as dialects of Timote, with Cuica as a distinct language, but the data in Loukotka (1968)[4] indicates that Cuica is a dialect of Timote, and that Mucuchí–Mirripú are a separate language (Kaufman 2007; Campbell 1997, 2012).
Vocabulary
[edit | edit source]Loukotka (1968) lists the following basic vocabulary items for Timotean languages.[4]
gloss Timote Cuica Mocochi Mirripú one kári karí karí karí two gem xem xem xem three shuént shuent shut sut head ki-kushám ki-kushan kisham ear ki-kumeu ki-kumeu ti-subú tooth ki-kunñuch chi-runch man kiukiai kiukiai kaʔak kage water shömpú shombuch shimpué shimpú fire shirup shnopa churup chirup sun nareúpa nareupa umpú maize chxá chxa chixsak chipxak bird kiukchú kchu house kurakata kfok shimanakot sharakot
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Lyle Campbell, 2000. American Indian Languages: The Historical Linguistics of Native America.
- ^ Willem Adelaar with Pieter Muysken, The Languages of the Andes, CUP, 2004:124–125
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External links
[edit | edit source]- Fabre: Mutús