Tanimuca-Letuama

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A language of Colombia

ISO 639-3
tnc
Alternate Names
Letuama, Letuhama, Ohañara, Opaina, Retuama, Retuarã, Tanimboka, Tanimuca-Retuarã, Uairã, Ufaina
Autonym
Wejeñememaja
User Population

1,800 (Crevels 2007). Retuarã more monolingual than Tanimuca. Ethnic population: 1,280 (2018 census).

Location

Amazonas and Vaupés departments: Guacayá and Oiyaka rivers (tributaries of the Mirití-Paraná), Apaporis, Mirití-Paraná, and Popeyaca rivers near mouth of Pira river below Popeyaca.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Classification
Tucanoan, Western Tucanoan
Dialects

Tanimuca, Retuarã. Tanimuca and Retuarã are 2 ethnic groups living near each other who speak the same language.

Typology

11 consonants and 10 vowels (5 oral, 5 nasal).

Language Use

No longer spoken in the communities near the non-indigenous villages (Crevels 2007). All domains. Also use Macuna [myy]. Also use Yucuna [ycn]. Used as L2 by Yucuna [ycn].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: Below 5%. Grammar. Bible portions: 1993–2019.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Tanimuca-Letuama
Writing

Latin script [Latn].