Sáliba
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A language of Colombia
Alternate Names
Sáliva
User Population
1,300 in Colombia (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 4,780 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 1,336.
Location
Arauca, Casanare, Meta, and Vichadad departments: upstream from confluence of Meta and Casanare rivers.
Language Status
8a (Moribund).
Typology
SOV; 20 consonants and 10 vowels (5 oral, 5 nasal).
Language Use
In the Orocué area the language is only conserved to a high degree among elderly women; others understand Sáliba but no longer express themselves in the language (Crevels 2007). Older adults only. Shifted to Spanish [spa].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. Dictionary.