Siona

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A language of Colombia

ISO 639-3
snn
Alternate Names
Ceona, Ganteya, Ganteya bain, Kanú, Koka, Pioche-Sioni, Piohé, Pioje, Pioje-Sioni, Siona-Secoya, Sioni, Zeona
Autonym
Gantëya coca
User Population

200 in Colombia (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 2,600 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 460.

Location

Putumayo department: El Tablero and Resguardo Buenavista, between Poñuna Blanca and Poñuna Negra on Putumayo river and tributaries.

Language Maps
Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Classification
Tucanoan, Western Tucanoan, Macaguaje
Dialects

None known. Ethnically different from the Secoya [sey], but they use the same language, Paicoca (2011 W. Largo). Lexical similarity: 95% with Secoya [sey] (2007 W. Largo).

Typology

SOV; 18 consonants and 12 vowels (6 oral, 6 nasal).

Language Use

Shifting to Spanish [spa]. Used as L2 by Macaguaje [mcl].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 5%–10%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. NT: 1982–2009.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Siona
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Those in Ecuador consider themselves Colombians. Distinct from Secoya (Siona-Secoya) [sey].

Also spoken in:

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