Chayahuita | |
---|---|
Cahuapana | |
Shawi | |
Native to | Peru |
Ethnicity | 12,000 (2007) |
Native speakers
|
7,900 (2007) |
Cahuapanan
|
|
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 |
|
Glottolog | chay1248 |
Chayahuita is an indigenous American language spoken by thousands of native Chayahuita people in South America. Spoken along the banks of the Paranapura, Cahuapanas, Sillay, and Shanusi rivers, it is also known as Chayawita, Shawi, Chawi, Tshaahui, Chayhuita, Chayabita, Shayabit, Balsapuertino, Paranapura, and Cahuapa. There is a 1-5% literacy rate, compared with 5-15% for Spanish, and a dictionary since 1978. It can not be understood by Jebero speakers although there is some overlap in vocabulary, especially some Quechua terms.