Língua Geral (Brazilian Portuguese: [ˈlĩɡwɐ ʒeˈɾaw], General Language) is the name of two distinct linguae francae spoken in Brazil, the língua geral paulista (tupi austral or Southern Tupi), now extinct; and the língua geral amazônica (tupinambá), whose modern descendant is Nheengatu.
Both were simplified versions of languages spoken by the Tupi people (see Old Tupi language). Portuguese colonizers arrived in Brazil in the 16th century and, faced with an indigenous population which spoke many languages, sought a means to establish effective communication among the many groups. The two languages were used in the Jesuit missions in Brazil and by early colonists; and came to be used by black slaves and other Indian groups.