Barawana language


Barawana is an Arawakan language of Venezuela and Brazil, where it is nearly extinct. It was spoken by the Baré people. Aikhenvald reports "just a few old speakers left" of Baré proper, and that the Guinau variety was extinct. Kaufman considers Baré proper, Guinau, and extinct Marawá to be distinct languages; Aikhenvald, dialects of a single languages.
Baré is a generic name for a number of Arawakan languages in the area, including Mandahuaca, Guarequena, Baniwa, and Piapoco. Barawana is the language given this name in Kaufman, Aikhenvald, and Ethnologue. It is also known as Ibini and Mitua.