Waiwai

A language of Brazil

Ouayeone, Tunayana-Waiwai, Uaieue, Wai Wai

Autonym

UaiUai

User Population

2,020 in Brazil (Moore 2006). Ethnic population: 2,900 (2005 ISA). Total users in all countries: 2,230.

Location

Pará and Roraima states.

Language Maps

5* (Developing).

Katawian (Cachuena, Catauian, Catawian, Karahawyana, Katawina, Katuena, Katwena, Parucutu, Parukutu, Tonayana, Tunayana). Voegelin and Voegelin (1977) treat Katawian as a separate language.

Typology

14 consonants and 6 vowels.

Language Use

Some also use Portuguese [por]. Used as L2 by Hixkaryána [hix], Mapidian [mpw], Sikiana [sik].

Language Development

Grammar. Bible: 2002.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Waiwai

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Also spoken in:

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Guyana

Language NameWaiwai

User Population

200 in Guyana (Forte 1990). Ethnic population: 240 (Crevels 2007).

Location

Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region: southwest, headwaters of Essequibo river.

Alternate Names

Ouayeone, Parukota, Uaieue, Uaiuai, Wai Wai

Dialects

Katawian (Katawina, Katwena).

Language Status

8a (Moribund).

Language Use

Shifted to Guyanese English Creole [gyn]. Used as L2 by Mapidian [mpw], Mawayana [mzx].

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Suriname

Language NameWaiwai

User Population

10 in Suriname (Crevels 2007), decreasing. Ethnic population: 80 (Crevels 2007).

Location

Sipaliwini district: Kwamalasamutu area, Sipaliwini river, among Trio [tri] language speakers.

Alternate Names

Katuena

Dialects

Tunayana.

Language Status

8b (Nearly extinct).

Language Use

Elderly only. Shifted to Trió [tri] (Crevels 2007).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. A few came to Suriname in the 1960s and now speak Trio [tri] as L1 (Crevels 2007). Christian.

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Waiwai

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A language of Brazil

Also spoken in:

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