Mataco-Guaicuru | |
---|---|
Basic information | |
Countries | |
Number of speakers |
100,000[1] |
Language family |
|
Language codes |
Mataco-Guaicuru or Macro-Waikurúan is a proposed language phylum consisting of the Guaicuruan, Matacoan[2], and sometimes the Mascoian and Charruan language families. The languages are spoken in the South American countries, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.[1][3]
Language genetics[]
There is no convincing demonstration that the Mataco-Guaicuru languages are related to any of the indigenous languages of the Americas. Viegas Barros, however, has discovered a number of similarities between the pronomial system of these languages and those of the Macro-Je languages. Previously, Joseph Greenberg had suggested the possible existence of a genetic relationship between the Mataco-Guaicuru and Pano-Tacana languages, but this proposal is generally not accepted.[1]
Phonology[]
This table compares the personal pronouns of languages in the Guaicuruan and Matacoan language families.[1]
Guaicuruan | Matacoan | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kadiweu | Toba | Abipón | Mocoví | Wichí | |
1st person singular |
èé | hayem | aym | aym | olam |
2nd person singular |
akáme | ʔam | akami | akami | am |
3rd person singular |
iddoatte | -mari | iñi (m.) añi (f.) |
ini (m.) ani (f.) |
lam |
1st person plural |
okó | qomi | akam | okom | olamel |
2nd person plural |
okami | qami | akamii | akami | amel |
3rd person plural |
iddá | -mari | hiniha (m.) añija (f.) |
inisó (m.) anisó (f.) |
lamel |