Nhengatu

YRL

shifting

Alternate Names: Coastal Tupian, Geral, Língua Geral, Modern Tupí, Ñeegatú, Nheengatu, Nyengato, Nyengatú, Waengatu, Yeral

Dialects: None known. Based on Tupinambá, developed by Portuguese during 17th and 18th centuries as lingua franca.

Genealogy:

Tupian
Tupí-Guaraní
Tupí
Tupí

Demographics: 10,300 in Brazil (2005 FOIRN). Population total all countries: 19,060. L2 users: Mostly a creole spoken by several ethnic groups as L2 in Upper Rio Negro region.

Language Use: Widely used. In the Vaupés area it is being replaced by Tukano [tuo] (Crevels 2007). Elderly only (in Vaupés area). 100% also use Tucano [tuo]. Used as L2 by Baniwa [bwi], Guarequena [gae], Siriano [sri].

Language Development: NT: 1973.

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Brazil

Other Comments: Language of the Bare tribe, with several ethnic groups identifying as Bare and speaking Nhengatu.