Nhengatu
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A language of Brazil
6,000 in Brazil (2020). Total users in all countries: 14,000.
Amazonas state: Içana, Lower Vaupés, Xié and Negro river areas.
6b (Threatened).
None known. Based on Tupinambá, developed by Portuguese during 17th and 18th centuries as lingua franca.
19 consonants and 4 vowels.
Used as L1 by several ethnic groups in the upper Rio Negro region. In Nhengatu-speaking communities along the Içana and Xié rivers, all children speak it. In communities along the Rio Negro and Vaupes rivers some children speak it (2020 M. Luz). Some young people, all adults. All also use Tucano [tuo], especially those in the Vaupes region where it is replacing Nhengatu [yrl]. Many also use Baniwa [bwi]. Many also use Portuguese [por], especially in communities along the Rio Negro and Vaupes rivers where some youth are using it as their L1. A few also use Spanish [spa], along the Colombia border. Used as L2 by Baniwa [bwi], Baré [bae], Koripako [kpc], Siriano [sri], Warekena [gae].
NT: 1973.
Language of the Baré [bae] tribe, with several ethnic groups identifying as Baré and speaking Nhengatu. Many Baniwa [bwi], Koripako [kpc] and Warekana [gae] communities also use Nhengatu as their L1 (2020 M. Luz).