Witotoan (also Huitotoan or Uitotoan, occasionally known as Huitoto–Ocaina to distinguish it from Bora–Witoto) is a small language family of southwestern Colombia (Amazonas Department) and the neighbouring region of Peru.

Genetic relations

Aschmann (1993) proposed that the Boran and Witotoan language families were related, in a Bora–Witoto stock. Echeverri & Seifart (2016) refute the connection.

Language contact

Jolkesky (2016) notes that there are lexical similarities with the Pijao, Yaruro, Arawak, Bora-Muinane, Choko, and Tukano language families due to contact. Some of this contact had occurred due to the expansion of Witotoan speakers down the Putumayo River.^[1]

Family division

• Ocaina (also rendered Okaina)
• Witoto Proper
  • Nïpode (also known as Nüpode, Nipode Huitoto, Nipode Witoto, Witoto Muinane, Muinane Huitoto, Muiname)
  • Mïnïca–Murai
    • Mïnïca (also known as Witoto Meneca, Meneca, Meneka, Noaiko-Muína, Southern Witoto, Minica Huitoto, Minica)
    • Murui (also known as Witoto Murui, Murai, Búe, Murai Huitoto, Bue, Huitoto, Central Witoto proper, Komïne)
• Nonuya (also known as Nyonuhu, Nonuña, Achote, Achiote) Loreto, Peru

The classification above is based on Campbell (1997), who follows Richard Aschmann's 1993 classification and reconstruction of proto-Witotoan.

Nonuya is nearly extinct, but attempts are being made at revival.

The following extinct languages are unclassified within Witotoan:

• Andoquero (also known as Andokero, Miranya-Karapana-Tapuyo, Miraña, Carapana) Amazonas, Colombia (†)
• Coeruna (also known as Koeruna) Amazonas, Brazil (†)
• Koihoma (also known as Coto, Koto, Orejón, Coixoma) Loreto, Peru (†)
• Hairúya (†)^[2]

Kaufman (2007) adds Andoque.

Synonymy note:

• The name Muiname has been used to refer to the Muinane language (Bora Muinane) of the Boran family and also to the Nipode language (Witoto Muinane) of the Huitotoan family.
• The names Koto, Coto, and Orejón have been used to refer to the Koihoma language (Coixoma) and also to the unrelated Orejón language (also known as Koto or Coto) of the Tucanoan language family.

Mason (1950)

Internal classification of the Witotoan languages by Mason (1950):^[3]

• Witoto
  • Kaime (Caimo)
  • Xúra
  • Séueni
  • Jayruya
  • Mekka: Yaboyano
  • Menekka
  • Búe
  • Ifikuene-Caimito (?)
• Miranyan, Boran
  • Miranya-Carapana-Tapuyo
  • Nonuya (Achiote)
  • Ocaina-Muenane
  • Ocaina (Ducaiya); Fitita (?)
  • Muenane
• Southeastern
  • Orejón
  • Coeruna (?)
• Andoke (?)
  • North: Araracuara
  • South
• Resigero (?)

Vocabulary

Loukotka (1968) lists the following basic vocabulary items for Witotoan language varieties.^[4]