Arawakan

Ethnicity
Geographic distribution	South America, Central America, Caribbean
Native speakers
Linguistic classification	One of the largest language families in South America
Early form
Proto-language
Subdivisions	*Northern Arawakan Southern Arawakan Central Arawakan Caribbean Arawakan

The Arawakan languages, also known as Maipurean languages, form one of the largest language families in South America. They are spoken primarily in the Amazon Basin, as well as in parts of Central America and the Caribbean. The Arawakan language family is notable for its wide geographical distribution and the number of languages it encompasses.

Classification

The Arawakan languages are typically divided into several branches:

• Northern Arawakan languages
• Southern Arawakan languages
• Central Arawakan languages
• Caribbean Arawakan languages

Geographic Distribution

Arawakan languages are found in a vast area stretching from the Andes in the west to the Atlantic Ocean in the east, and from the Caribbean Sea in the north to the Paraguay River in the south. This extensive distribution is a result of historical migrations and the spread of Arawakan-speaking peoples.

Notable Languages

Some of the most well-known Arawakan languages include:

• Taíno - once spoken in the Caribbean.
• Garifuna - spoken in parts of Central America.
• Lokono - spoken in the Guianas.
• Asháninka - spoken in Peru and Brazil.

Linguistic Features

Arawakan languages share several common linguistic features, including:

• Agglutinative morphology
• Complex verb structures
• Use of prefixes and suffixes to indicate grammatical relations
• Rich vocabulary related to the natural environment

Historical Significance

The Arawakan languages have played a significant role in the history and culture of the indigenous peoples of South America. The Taíno people, for example, were among the first indigenous groups encountered by Christopher Columbus in the Caribbean. The spread of Arawakan languages is also linked to the migration and trade networks of ancient South American civilizations.

Current Status

Many Arawakan languages are currently endangered, with some having only a few speakers left. Efforts are being made to document and revitalize these languages to preserve the cultural heritage of the Arawakan-speaking peoples.

Related Pages

• Indigenous languages of the Americas
• Language family
• Amazon Basin
• Caribbean