Pemon

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A language of Venezuela

ISO 639-3
aoc
Alternate Names
Pemong
Autonym
Kamarakotos
User Population

23,100 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 30,100 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 24,080.

Location

Bolívar state: Gran Sabana and adjacent areas.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4), Three dialects listed separately: Kamarakoto, Arekuna, and Taurepan.

Classification
Cariban, North Amazonian, Pemón, Pemón proper
Dialects

Camaracoto (Kamarakoto), Taurepan (Taulipang, Taurepa, Taurepang), Arecuna (Arekuna, Aricuna, Daigok, Jarecouna, Jaricuna, Kamaragakok, Pemon, Pemóng, Pishauco, Potsawugok, Purucoto). Marginally intelligible with Akawaio [ake] and Patamona [pbc]. Camaracoto dialect may be a distinct language.

Typology

SOV; postpositions; 10 consonants and 7 vowels.

Language Use

Some adults are still monolingual but younger generation is becoming bilingual in Spanish [spa] or English [eng] (Crevels 2007). Some young people, all adults. Also use English [eng]. Also use Spanish [spa]. Used as L2 by Ninam [shb], Sapé [spc].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1990.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Pemon
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Also spoken in:

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