Desano

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A language of Brazil

Location

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

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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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Desano

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A language of Brazil

Also spoken in:

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