Piaroa

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A language of Venezuela

ISO 639-3
pid
Alternate Names
Amorua, Dearwa, Deruwa, Deá’ru’wa, Piaroa-Mako, Uhothha, Uwotjüja, Wo’tiheh, Wotjüja, Wu’tjuja, Wöthüha
Autonym
De’aruwã thiwene
User Population

13,000 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 19,300 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 13,770.

Location

Amazonas state: Orinoco river south bank, inland from Paguasa river to Manapiare; into southwestern Bolívar state.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b* (Threatened). Statutory language of provincial identity in Amazonas and Bolivar states (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4).

Classification
Sálivan, Piaroa-Maco
Typology

23 consonants and 7 vowels.

Language Use

Because of strong ethnic identity, the language is conserved to a high degree (Crevels 2007). Also use Maquiritari [mch]. Also use Spanish [spa]. Also use Yabarana [yar]. Used as L2 by Maco [wpc].

Language Development

NT: 1986–2001.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Piaroa
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Also spoken in:

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