Alacalufan | |
---|---|
Kawesqaran | |
Ethnicity | Alacaluf people |
Geographic distribution | Chile |
Linguistic classification | One of the world's primary language families |
Subdivisions |
|
ISO 639-5 | aqa |
Glottolog | kawe1237 |
The Alacalufan languages or Kawesqaran languages are a small language family of South America. They have not been definitely linked to any other American language family.[1][2]
Early vocabularies show that Alakaluf was three languages, with an extinct Southern Alakaluf (vocabularies in Fitz-Roy 1839 and Hyades & Deniker 1891) and Central Alakaluf (vocabularies in Borgatello 1928, Marcel 1892, and Skottsberg 1913) in addition to the critically endangered northern variety, Kawésqar.[3]
Based on alleged toponymic evidence, a purported Kakauhua language has sometimes been included in the Alacalufan family.
Guaicaro may have been a dialect of Central Alakaluf or Kawesqar.
Chono, Caraica (Karaika), and Poya may also belong.
Loukotka (1968) lists the following basic vocabulary items.[5]
gloss | Northern Alcaluf | Southern Alcaluf | Kaueskar |
---|---|---|---|
tongue | lekél | paileaf | kalaktás |
hand | palkár | yukebe | terwá |
water | karkasa | arrét | chfalai |
moon | dzyakapés | yakapech | kapánuk |
dog | salki | shalki | kyurro |
fish | xawoel | orol | keuwako |
canoe | peler | cherru | kaief |