Desano

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A language of Brazil

Alternate Names

Boleka, Desana-Siriana, Dessano, Desâna, Kusibi, Oregu, Uina, Umúkomasá, Wina, Wirã

User Population

700 in Brazil (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 2,200 (Crevels 2012). Total users in all countries: 3,160.

Amazonas state: Terra Indígena Alto Rio Negro, sixty communities on Tiquié river and tributaries; border with Colombia.

Language Maps

Northwestern Brazil

Southeastern Colombia

Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Tucanoan, Eastern Tucanoan, Desano-Siriano

None known. Lexical similarity: 90% with Siriano [sri].

9 consonants and 6 vowels; whistle speech reported.

Many also use Portuguese [por]. Also use Tucano [tuo], more often than Desano.

Language Development

Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 1984–2011.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Desano

Latin script [Latn].

Also spoken in:

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Colombia

Language NameDesano

User Population

2,460 in Colombia (2001 census). Ethnic population: 3,640 (2018 census).

Location

Vaupes department: Vaupés river tributaries, Abiyu and Papurí rivers; Papurí tributaries Pacá, Macú Parana and others; Villa Fátima village and Acaricuara, Montfort, Piracuara, and Teresita missions.

Alternate Names

Boleka, Dessana, Desána, Kotedia, Kusibi, Oregu, Wina, Wira

Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Language Use

The language is used almost exclusively in their own villages (Crevels 2007). Some of all ages. Positive attitudes. Many also use Spanish [spa] (Crevels 2007). Also use Tucano [tuo], and at least one other Tucanoan language spoken by their mothers (Crevels 2007). Used as L2 by Cacua [cbv], Piratapuyo [pir].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 30%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–35%.

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