North Peruvian Quechua

Cajamarca–Cañaris Quechua (locally called Kichwa or Runashimi, like other Quechua varieties) is a branch of Quechua spoken in northern Peru, consisting primarily of Cajamarca Quechua (Kashamarka, also known as Linwa), and Lambayeque Quechua (also known as Ferreñafe, Inkawasi-Kañaris Quechua), near the towns of Cajamarca and Cañaris in the Cajamarca and Lambayeque regions. Cajamarca and Lambayeque Quechua have 94% lexical similarity and are mutually intelligible. Adelaar (2004) includes the dialect of Lincha District, far to the south on the border of the Lima and Huancavelica regions.

Cajamarca–Cañaris Quechua is divergent from other varieties; although traditionally classified as a member of Quechua II-A, some (Adelaar) believe it to be a primary branch of Quechua II, and others (Landerman, Taylor, Heggarty) believe it is a primary branch of Quechua, or include it in Quechua I. Félix Quesada published the first grammar and dictionary in 1976.