Terêna language

Arawakan language of Brazil Terêna or Etelena is an Arawakan language spoken by the Terena people of Brazil. The language has a dictionary and written grammar. Many Terena people have low Portuguese proficiency. It is spoken in Mato Grosso do Sul. About 20% are literate in their language, 80% literate in Portuguese.[citation needed] Terêna has an active–stative syntax and verb-object-subject as default word order. Dialects Terêna originally had four varieties: Kinikinao, Terena proper, Guaná, and Chané. These varieties have sometimes been considered to be separate languages. Carvalho (2016) has since demonstrated all four to be the same language. Only Terena proper is still spoken. Language contact Terena originated in the Northwestern Chaco. As a result, many Northern Guaicuruan loanwords can be found in Terena. There are also many Tupi-Guarani loanwords in Terena and other southern Arawakan languages. Phonology Consonants /w, ʃ, n, l/ may often be heard as [v, tʃ, ɲ, ʎ]. Vowels [ɨ] is heard as an allophone of /i/. See also Terena Sign Language Notes ^ Terena at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)Kinikinao & Guaná at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscr