Xavánte

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A language of Brazil

ISO 639-3
xav
Alternate Names
A’uwe Uptabi, A’we, Akuên, Akwen, Awen, Chavante, Crisca, Pusciti, Shavante, Tapacua
Autonym
A’uwẽ
User Population

19,000 (2010 census). 7,000 monolinguals.

Location

Mato Grosso state: 6 noncontiguous reservations. 80 villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Jean, Central
Typology

OSV; 11 consonants and 13 vowels, including 4 nasal vowels.

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Many also use Portuguese [por]. About 3,000 speak it some, but with Brazilians only.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 10%–30%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50% (most men, few women). Taught as subject in primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2004.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Xavánte
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

In 1950s contact with outsiders began and diseases killed hundreds. Forced to abandon seminomadic means of survival when placed on reservations. Learned swidden agriculture. During the transition many died. Traditional religion, Christian.