| Nambikwaran | |
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution: |
Mato Grosso, Brazil |
| Linguistic classification: | Nambikwaran |
| Subdivisions: |
Northern (Mamaindé)
Sabanê
|
The Nambikwaran languages are a language family of half a dozen languages, all spoken in the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil. They have traditionally been considered dialects of a single language, but at least three of them are mutually unintelligible. The total number of speakers is estimated to be about 1,500, with Nambikwara proper being 80% of that number.[1]
The following classification is based on Ethnologue and on David Eberhard:[2]
The Northern Nambikwaran languages are often seen as dialects of Mamaindê, but are treated as separate languages by Ethnologue. Sabanê is a single speech community and thus has no dialects, while the Nambikwara language has been described as having eleven.[3]
Most Nambikwara are monolingual but some young men speak Portuguese.[4] Especially the men of the Sabanê group are trilingual, speaking both Portuguese and Mamainde.[5]