Karajá

Print

Primary tabs

A language of Brazil

ISO 639-3
kpj
Alternate Names
Caraiauna, Carajá, Chambioa, Iny, Ynã
User Population

3,060 (Crevels 2012). Javaé 800, Karajá 2,250, Xambioá 10 (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 4,010 (Crevels 2012). Javaé 1,210, Karajá 2,530, Xambioá 270 (Crevels 2012).

Location

Mato Grosso, Pará, and Tocantins states: Bananal island, Araguaia river; possibly also Goias state.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Classification
Karajá
Dialects

Javaé (Javahe), Karajá (Carajá, Iny), Xambioá (Iraru Mahãdu, Ixybiowa, Karajá do Norte). Men and women speak different dialects.

Typology

9 consonants and 17 vowels, including 5 nasal vowels.

Language Use

Portuguese [por] is the dominant language in Xambioá village (Crevels 2007). Many also use Portuguese [por]. Used as L2 by Avá-Canoeiro [avv].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 70%. Grammar. Texts. NT: 1983.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Karajá
Writing

Latin script [Latn].