Timotean languages


The Timotean languages were spoken in the Venezuelan Andes around what is now Mérida. It is assumed that they are extinct. However, Timote may survive in the so-far unattested Mutú language, as this occupies a mountain village within the old Timote state.

Genetic relations

There is no apparent connection to the Chibchan, Arawakan, or Cariban families, apart from sporadic resemblances with Paez and some divergent Chibchan languages, so Timotean appears to be an independent family.
Jolkesky also notes that there are lexical similarities with the Jirajaran languages.

Languages

There were two closely related languages, each a pair of dialects:
Traditionally, Mucuchí and Mirripú have been classified as dialects of Timote, with Cuica as a distinct language, but the data in Loukotka indicates that Cuica is a dialect of Timote, and that Mucuchí–Mirripú are a separate language.

Vocabulary

lists the following basic vocabulary items for Timotean languages.