Achagua language


Achagua, or Achawa, is an Arawakan language spoken in the Meta Department of Colombia, similar to Piapoco. It is estimated that 250 individuals speak the language, many of whom also speak Piapoco or Spanish.
"Achagua is a language of the Maipurean Arawakan group traditionally spoken by the Achagua people of Venezuela and east-central Colombia."
A "Ponares" language is inferred from surnames, and may have been Achawa or Piapoco.
There is 1–5% literacy in Achagua.

Phonology

Consonants

  • /n/ is realized as when preceding palatal consonants.
  • /k/ is palatalized when preceding /i/.
  • Sounds /b, d/ are preglottalized within accented syllables or after accented syllables.
  • /b/ is realized as when occurring intervocalically.
  • /w/ is realized as when preceding /i/.
  • /s̪/ is realized as when preceding /i/.
  • /ʝ/ is heard as an affricate in word-initial positions. It can also be realized as a glide freely in intervocalic positions.
  • /ɭ/ can be heard as a flap in free variation before /i/.

    Vowels

List of words