Carib language

The language is known by several names to both its speakers and outsiders. Traditionally it has been known as "Carib" or "Carib proper" in English, after its speakers, being given the exonym "Caribs". The term Galibi, which originated as a pronunciation of Caribe, is also frequently used; for example Glottolog uses the name "Galibi Carib" for the Carib language, plus "Galibi-Marworno Creole French" for the variety of Karipúna Creole French as used by the Galibi Marworno, and "Galibi-based pidgin" for the family consisting of Joeka–Oajana pidgin and the extinct Pidgin Carib. The people are known as , or in Portuguese, in Spanish, in French, and in Dutch. However, the speakers call themselves or (variously spelled), and call their language . Spelling variants include , , , , , ; other native names include and . == Classification ==

Kariʼnja is classified as a Cariban language, in the Guianan Carib branch. Kariʼnja is considered "Carib proper" because it exemplifies the core genetic features of the family, such as its complex pronominal prefix system and ergative-absolutive alignment. == Geographic distribution ==

Due to contact with Kariʼnja invaders, some languages have Kariʼnja words incorporated into them, despite being Arawakan languages linguistically. A Carib-based lengua generale was once used in the old missions of the Oyapock and surrounding regions, apparently surviving at least along the Uaçá tributary into the 20th century. In Suriname, there is a village called Konomerume which is located near the Wajambo River. With about 349 people living there, a majority identify as ethnically Kariʼnja and the adults are reported to at least have a decent knowledge of it. Those above the age of 65 use the language as a primary language among the members of the community. Speakers between the ages of 45 and 65 tend to use the language only when speaking with older residents or elder members of their family, while for the most part using the official languages: Dutch and Sranan Tongo. Younger adults between the ages of 20 and 40 for the most part understand the language but do not speak it, and children learn bits about Kariʼnja in school. ==Dialects==

Carib dialects (with number of speakers indicated in parentheses): ==Phonology==

In the Kariʼnja language, there are four syllable patterns: V, CV, VC, CVC; C standing for consonants while V means a vowel. Regarding phonemes, consonants are divided into two groups: obstruents (voiceless stops—p, t, k) and resonants (voiced stops—b, d, g, s). Kariʼnja has a typical six-vowel system after *ô merged with *o, being a e i o u ï. Compared to past Kariʼnja, modern-day Kariʼnja has replaced the e in many words with o. Allophones for include sounds as . before may be pronounced as . before a consonant may be pronounced as and also elsewhere. Another sound, ranging , often occurs before a voiced or voiceless consonant, and succeeding a vowel, it can also be an allophone of . == Alphabet ==

The Carib alphabet consists of 18 letters: a, b, d, e, g, i, j, k, , m, n, o, p, r, s, t, u, w, y. B, d, g are found after nasals for phonemic /p t k/. == Grammar ==

There are 17 particles within Kariʼnja which include the ky- prefix and the -ng suffix. == Vocabulary ==

All four dialects of Karinja have loan words from the primary language of the area (Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana). For example, the Karinja spoken in Suriname borrows words from Dutch and Sranantongo. ==References==