Yuracaré language


Yuracaré is an endangered language isolate of central Bolivia in Cochabamba and Beni departments spoken by the Yuracaré people.
Loukotka reports that Yuracaré is spoken at the sources of the Sécure River, and on the Chapare River and Chimoré River.

Dialects

Two dialects, now extinct:
Coni, Cuchi, and Enete are possible dialects.

Demographics

There are approximately 2,500 speakers. These numbers are in decline as the youngest generation no longer learns the language.

Documentation

Yuracaré is documented with a grammar based on an old missionary manuscript by de la Cueva. The language is currently being studied by Rik van Gijn. A Foundation for Endangered Languages grant was awarded for a Yuracaré–Spanish / Spanish–Yuracaré dictionary project in 2005.

Genealogical relations

Suárez suggests a relationship between Yuracaré and the Mosetenan, Pano–Tacanan, Arawakan, and Chon families. His earlier Macro-Panoan proposal is the same minus Arawakan.
Jolkesky also notes that there are lexical similarities with the Moseten-Tsimane languages.

Grammar

lists the following basic vocabulary items.