The Cariban languages are closely related. In many cases where one of the languages is more distinct, this is due to influence from neighboring languages rather than an indication that it is not closely related. According to Kaufman (2007), "Except for Opon, Yukpa, Pimenteira and Palmela (and possibly Panare), the Cariban languages are not very diverse phonologically and lexically (though more so than Romance, for example)."
Previous classifications Good data has been collected around ca. 2000 on most Cariban languages; classifications prior to that time (including Kaufman 2007, which relies on Kaufman 1994) are unreliable. Several such classifications have been published; the one shown here, by Derbyshire (1999) divides Cariban into seven branches. A traditional geographic classification into northern and southern branches is cross referenced with (N) or (S) after each language. •
Cariban •
Galibi [Kaliña] (N) •
Guiana Carib (
Taranoan): • Trio:
Tiriyó–
Akuriyó ,
Salumá (N),
Carijona–
Hianákoto (S) • Kashuyana:
Sikiana (N),
Kaxuiâna [Warikyana] (S) • Waiwai:
Hixkaryána (S),
Waiwai (N) • :Kaufman breaks this up into its constituent branches •
North Amazonian Carib: • Yawaperi:
Atruahí [Atrowari, Waimiri] (N) • Pemong:
Macushi–
Pemon [Arekuna],
Akawaio–
Patamona (= Kapong, Ingariko) (N) • Paravilyana:
Pawishiana • :Kaufman breaks this up into its constituent branches, adding
Purukotó to Pemong;
Boanarí to Atruahí;
Paravilyana and
Sapará to Pawishiana •
Central Carib: •
Wayana–
Apalaí (N) •
Maquiritari [Dekwana] (S) •
Mapoyo–
Yabarana–
Pémono (N) • :Kaufman adds
Chaima [Kumaná];
Arakajú (to Wayana);
Yao and
Tiverikoto ;
Wajumará (to Makiritare) • :
Tamanaku is close to Mapoyo •
South Amazonian Carib: • Bakairi:
Bakairí,
Kuikúro [Kalapálo, Amonap],
Matipuhy [Nahukwa] (S) • Arara:
Txikão [Ikpeng, Chikaon],
Arára [Pará] (N) • :To Arara Kaufman adds extinct
Juma ,
Apiaká-Apingi ,
Yarumá •
Yukpa: •
Japrería (N) •
Yukpa (N) •
Coyaima (N) •
Panare (N) •
Opon [Opón-Karare] • Unclassified: •
Pimenteira •
Palmela The extinct
Patagón de Perico language of northern Peru also appears to have been a Cariban language, perhaps close to Carijona.
Yao is so poorly attested that Gildea believes it may never be classified.
Loukotka (1968) Below is a full list of Cariban language varieties listed by
Loukotka (1968), including names of unattested varieties.
Western languages: •
Caraib /
Calinago /
Karib – language spoken by the insular and continental Caraibes, with many dialects: • Dialect of the
insular Caraibes, once spoken on the
Lesser Antilles Islands, now by only a few old individuals in a reserve on the island of
Dominica. • Dialect of
Pomeroon /
Caribisi /
Acarabisi – spoken on the
Macarani River and
Pomeroon River, Guyana. •
Tabare /
Cariña – dialect spoken by the inhabitants of the villages of
El Guasey,
Cachipo,
Cachama, and
San Joaquín de Parire (
Mapicure) in the state of Anzoátegui and in the village of
Tapaquire in the state of Bolívar, Venezuela. •
Caribe – extinct dialect once spoken by the descendants of Caraibes and by the mixed population on the plains of Barcelona, states of Monagas and Anzoátegui, Venezuela. •
Carif /
Moreno – dialect combined with Arawakan, spoken by the Negro Indian mixed population of British Honduras, in Guatemala on the Gulf of Honduras, and on Roatan Island in Honduras, Central America. •
Cariniaco – extinct dialect once spoken at the mouth of the
Caura River, state of Bolívar, Venezuela. •
Mayé – extinct dialect once spoken on the
Casipore River, Amapá territory, Brazil. (Unattested.) •
Paracoto – extinct dialect once spoken at the mouth of the
Araguari River, Amapá and at the mouth of the Mana River, French Guiana. (Unattested.) •
Carane – once spoken at the old mission of São Paulo d'Oiapoque, Amapá territory. (Unattested.) •
Norac /
Norag – once spoken on the
Approuague River, French Guiana, later on the
Anotarí River; now extinct. (Unattested.) •
Itutan – once spoken on the lower course of the
Casipore River and in the
Serra Lombard, Amapá. (Unattested.) •
Curucuane – once spoken on the lower course of the
Casipore River, south of the Itutan tribe. (Unattested.) •
Aricarí – once spoken near the Curucuane tribe on the lower course of the
Calçoene River. (Unattested.) •
Sapai – once spoken on the
Mana River, French Guiana. (Unattested.) •
Piriou – once spoken in French Guiana on the middle course of the
Oyapoque River. (Unattested.) •
Mersiou – once spoken on the
Aratye River,
Inini River, and
Aua River, French Guiana, now probably extinct. (Unattested.) •
Acoqua – once spoken at the sources of the
Approuague River, and on the
Camopi River, French Guiana. (Unattested.) •
Wai – spoken on the
Tamouri River, French Guiana; now perhaps extinct. (Unattested.) •
Taira – spoken in the same colony as the Wai tribe on the
Iracoubo River. (Unattested.) •
Acuria – originally spoken on the
Nickerie River and
Coppename River, Suriname; now on the
Berbice River, Guyana. (Unattested.) •
Chacoi – spoken by a few mixed individuals between the
Berbice River and
Essequibo River, Guyana. (Unattested.) •
Parabaiana – once spoken on the middle course of the
Marouini River, French Guiana. (Unattested.) •
Caicuchiana – once spoken in French Guiana, south of the Parabaiana tribe. (Unattested.) ;Eastern languages •
Waiana /
Oayana – spoken on the
Palumeu River and
Lawa River, Suriname, and on the
Jarí River and
Paru River, state of Pará, Brazil; once also between the
Maroni River and
Marouini River, French Guiana. •
Amicuan – extinct language once spoken at the sources of the
Marouini River, French Guiana. (Unattested.) •
Upurui – once spoken on the upper course of the
Jarí River, now by a few individuals at the sources of the
Parú de Leste River, state of Pará, Brazil. •
Apalai /
Aparai – spoken on the middle course of the
Parú de Leste River and between this river and the upper course of the
Maicuru River, Pará. •
Carapeuara – extinct language once spoken in the state of Pará south of the Apama tribe on the
Maicuru River. (Unattested.) •
Palanc – extinct language once spoken in French Guiana on the middle course of the
Apima River and
Yaroupi River and on the
Unani River. (Unattested.) •
Rucuyene – extinct language once spoken in the same colony on the
Lawa River. •
Noyene – once spoken on the
Cuc River, state of Pará. (Unattested.) •
Yapacoye – once spoken on the left bank of the
Itany River, French Guiana. (Unattested.) •
Aracajú /
Uaraguazú – extinct language mixed with many Tupi elements, once spoken on the
Gurupamba River and
Parú de Leste River, Pará. ;Trio group •
Trio /
Diáu /
Tirió – spoken on the
Tapanahoni River,
Corentijn River, and
Palumeu River, Suriname, and between the sources of the
Parú de Leste River and
Parú de Oeste River, state of Pará. •
Urucuyana /
Waiano – spoken on the left bank of the
Parú de Leste River, Pará. •
Wama – spoken by a wild tribe at the sources of the
Oelemari River, Suriname. •
Tliometesen /
Oyaricule – spoken by a few individuals between the
Litani River and
Tapanahoni River, Suriname. •
Ocomayana /
Kumayena /
Comayana – spoken at the sources of the
Coeroeni River, Suriname, and at the sources of the
Oronoque River in Guyana. •
Pianocoto – once spoken at the sources of the
Trombetas River and the
Jamunda River, now at the mouth of the
Marapi River in the
Parú de Oeste River, Pará. •
Aramihoto – spoken by a small tribe in Suriname on the upper course of the
Coeroeni River. (Unattested.) •
Prohyana – spoken in the same colony in the
Eilerts de Haan Gebergte. (Unattested.) •
Maipuridjana – spoken in Suriname on the
Sipaliwini River. (Unattested.) •
Rangú – spoken at the sources of the
Parú de Oeste River, Pará. •
Acuriyo – spoken at the sources of the
Tapanahoni River, Suriname. (Unattested.) •
Aramisho – spoken on the upper course of the
Parú de Leste River, Pará. (Unattested.) •
Aramayana – spoken by the southern neighbors of the Aramisho tribe. (Unattested.) •
Aramagoto – spoken between the upper courses of the
Parú de Leste River and the
Parú de Oeste River, Pará. (Unattested.) •
Pianoi – spoken at the sources and on the upper course of the
Citaré River, Pará. (Unattested.) ;Chiquena group •
Chiquena /
Shikiana – spoken on the
Apiniwau River, Guyana, and at the sources of the
Panemá River, Pará. (Farabee 1924, pp. 195–196.) •
Zurumata – once spoken in a village of the same name on the upper course of the
Trombetas River, Pará, now probably extinct. (Unattested.) •
Ingarüne – spoken at the sources of the
Panemá River and its tributaries. (Unattested.) •
Salumá /
Charúma – spoken between the upper courses of the
Trombetas River,
Uanabé River, and
Tunúru River, Pará. •
Prehnoma – spoken by a small tribe west of the Pianocoto tribe. (Unattested.) •
Caicusiana – spoken on the
Tunúru River south of the Salumá tribe. (Unattested.) •
Tunayana – spoken between the middle courses of the
Panemá River and
Tunúru River. (Unattested.) •
Sereu – spoken east of the sources of the
Cachorro River. (Unattested.) •
Cahuyana – spoken on the middle course of the
Trombetas River. (Unattested.) •
Marachó – spoken by an unknown tribe on the middle course of the
Cuminá River. (Unattested.) •
Pauxi /
Pawiyana – spoken on the right bank of the middle course of the
Erepecurú River (
Cuminá River); now perhaps extinct. •
Waríkyana – extinct language once spoken on the lower course of the
Trombetas River. (Unattested.) •
Uayeué – spoken on the
Mapuera River and its tributary
Urubú de Silves River. •
Cachuena /
Kaxiuâna /
Casiana /
Cachoarí – spoken by a few families at the mouth of the
Cachorro River. •
Mutuan – once spoken on the lower course of the
Nhamundá River. •
Cariguano – once spoken on the
Panemá River. (Unattested.) •
Conduri – extinct language once spoken at the mouth of the
Nhamundá River. (Unattested.) •
Paraugoaru – extinct language once spoken on the
Capó River, a tributary of the
Trombetas River. (Unattested.) ;Waiwai group •
Waiwai /
Woaywai – spoken at the sources of the
Essequibo River, Guyana and at the sources of the
Mapuera River, state of Pará, Brazil. •
Faranakaru – spoken at the sources of the
Mapuera River south of the Waiwai tribe. (Unattested.) •
Faranauaru – spoken on the left bank of the
Mapuera River. (Unattested.) •
Parucoto /
Katawian – spoken on the middle course of the
Mapuera River and between the sources of the
Acarí River and
Cachorrinho River. (Farabee 1924, pp. 192–193.) •
Chiriwiyana – spoken at the sources of the
Acarí River. (Unattested.) •
Ororicó – spoken on the upper course of the
Cachorrinho River. (Unattested.) •
Cotonúru – spoken between the
Cachorro River and
Cachorrinho River. (Unattested.) •
Totocumu /
Catuena – spoken between the sources of the
Acarí River and
Ipitinga River. (Unattested.) •
Chawiyana – spoken on the right bank of the upper course of the
Nhamundá River, Amazonas. (Unattested.) •
Uaiboí /
Babui /
Wabou – spoken on the middle course of the
Nhamundá River. •
Hishcariana /
Ishkariyána /
Tucano – spoken on the middle course of the
Nhamundá River. •
Xauwiyana – spoken by the neighbors of the Hishcariana tribe. (Unattested.) •
Uasaí – spoken by an unknown tribe on the
Urubu River and
Jatapu River, Amazonas. (Unattested.) •
Apoto /
Apanto – extinct language once spoken south of the Uaiboi tribe on the
Nhamundá River. (Unattested.) •
Orocoto – once spoken between the
Urubu River and
Jatapu River. (Unattested.) •
Taguari – extinct language once spoken between the
Mapuera River and
Ipitinga River. (Unattested.) •
Pariquí – once spoken between the mouths of the
Uatumã River and
Negro River. (Unattested.) •
Tapicari – spoken on the
Mucajaí River. (Unattested.) •
Bonari /
Boanari – once spoken on the
Uatumã River, Amazonas; now perhaps extinct. ;Yauapery group •
Yauapery /
Atroahi – spoken on the middle course of the
Yauapery River, state of Amazonas. •
Uaimiri /
Wahmirí – spoken at the sources of the
Curiuaú River, state of Amazonas. •
Crixaná /
Quirixana – spoken between the middle course of the
Yauapery River and the
Curiuaú River, now probably extinct. ;Pauishana group •
Pauishana – spoken between the
Catrimani River and
Branco River, territory of Rio Branco, Brazil. ;Macusi group •
Macusi /
Makushí – spoken on the
Rupununi River, Guyana, and at the sources of the
Tacutu River and on the middle course of the
Branco River, territory of Rio Branco, Brazil. (The following five names all refer to local subgroups of the Macushi.) •
Monoicó – spoken on the
Cotingo River, Brazil. (Unattested.) •
Keseruma – spoken on the
Tacutu River. (A. Meyer 1951.) •
Asepáng – spoken to the south of the Keseruma tribe. (Unattested.) •
Eliáng – spoken to the south of the Asepáng tribe. (Unattested.) •
Pezacó – spoken to the south of the Eliáng tribe. (Unattested.) •
Quenoloco – spoken at the sources of the
Cotingo River. (Unattested.) •
Teweia – spoken on the
Cotingo River. (Unattested.) •
Purucotó /
Progoto – spoken on the
Uraricapará River, territory of Rio Branco. •
Wayumara /
Azumara /
Guimara – spoken between the
Mucajaí River and
Uraricoera River and in a part of
Maracá Island. •
Paraviyana /
Paravilhana – extinct language once spoken between the
Tacutu River and
Caratirimani River, Rio Branco. •
Zapara /
Sapará – spoken in the middle and eastern parts of
Maracá Island. ;Pemón group •
Taurepän /
Taulipáng /
Ipuricoto /
Pemón – spoken between the
Uraricuena River and
Mount Roraima to the
Caroní River, in the border zone of Brazil and Venezuela. •
Arecuná – spoken at the sources of the
Caroní River and
Paragua River, state of Bolívar, Venezuela. •
Ingaricó – spoken to the north of
Mount Roraima, border region of Brazil and Venezuela. •
Patamona – spoken on the
Potaro River and
Ireng River, Guyana. (F. Lutz 1912 passim, only a few words.) •
Camaracoto – spoken in the state of Bolívar, Venezuela, on the
Paragua River and
Caroní River. •
Arinagoto – once spoken on the
Paragua River, state of Bolívar, now perhaps extinct. (Unattested.) •
Paraparucota – once spoken between the
Caura River and
Cuchivero River, state of Bolívar; now extinct. (Unattested.) •
Quiriquiripa – extinct language once spoken on the left bank of the
Caura River. (Unattested.) •
Aguaricoto – extinct language once spoken on the lower course of the
Caura River, the same region. (Unattested.) •
Serecong /
Sarrakong – once spoken in the same region at the sources of the
Mahú River. (Unattested.) •
Chiricum – once spoken by the western neighbors of the Taurepán tribe in the Rio Branco territory. (Unattested.) •
Achirigoto – once spoken on the left bank of the
Caura River, middle course, in the state of Bolívar. (Unattested.) •
Paudacoto – once spoken in the state of Bolívar at the sources of the
Aro River. (Unattested.) •
Cachirigoto – once spoken in the state of Bolívar south of the Camaracotó tribe. (Unattested.) •
Barinagoto – once spoken at the mouth of the
Caroní River, Bolívar state, Venezuela. (Unattested.) •
Arebato – once spoken in the village of Cuchara on the
Caura River in the state of Bolívar, now perhaps extinct. (Unattested.) •
Armacoto – once spoken in the same region between the
Paragua River and
Merevari River. (Unattested.) •
Mauitsi – once spoken at the sources of the
Paragua River in the same region. (Unattested.) •
Uaica /
Waica – spoken by a few families on the
Yuruari River and
Cuyuni River, state of Bolívar. •
Acawai /
Capong – spoken in Guyana on the
Moruca River,
Cuyuni River,
Acarabisi River, and
Pomeroon River. ;Maquiritaré group •
Decuána /
Deukwana /
Maquiritaré – spoken on the
Caura River,
Ventuari River,
Merevari River, and
Auari River, state of Bolívar and Amazonas territory, Venezuela, and between the
Cotingo River and
Majari River, territory of Rio Branco, Brazil. •
Yecuaná /
Mayongcong – spoken on the
Caura River southwest of the Arecuna tribe, state of Bolívar, Venezuela. •
Ihuruána – spoken at the sources of the
Ventuari River, territory of Amazonas, Venezuela. •
Cunuaná /
Kunuhana – spoken in the same territory at the sources of the
Cunucunuma River. (only four words.) •
Morononi – extinct language once spoken in the same territory on the
Ventuari River. (Unattested.) •
Puipuitene – extinct language once spoken on the same river in the same territory by the neighbors of the Decuaná tribe. (Unattested.) •
Acariana – once spoken by the neighbors of the Morononi tribe on the
Orinoco River. (Unattested.) •
Ocomesiane – once spoken in the same region on the
Padamo River. (Unattested.) •
Areviriana – once spoken by the eastern neighbors of the Ihuruána tribe. (Unattested.) •
Jure – once spoken on the left bank of the middle course of the
Ventuari River. (Unattested.) •
Pishauco /
Pshavaco – once spoken on the Serra Tepequem, Rio Branco territory. (Unattested.) •
Mejepure – once spoken on the left ban1e of the lower course of the
Ventuari River. (Unattested.) •
Aberiana – once spoken by the neighbors of the Acariana tribe on the upper course of the
Orinoco River. (Unattested.) ;Mapoyo group •
Mapoyo /
Nepoyo – spoken by a small tribe between the
Parguaza River and
Suapure River, state of Bolívar, Venezuela. •
Carinuaca – extinct language once spoken in the area between the Ihuruána and Yauarána tribes, territory of Amazonas, Venezuela. (Unattested.) •
Curasicana /
Kurushikiána /
Orechicano – once spoken at the sources of the
Biehita River, now by only a few individuals. (Unattested.) •
Wökiare /
Uaiquire – unknown language spoken in the same region on the
Paru River. (Unattested.) •
Yauarána /
Yabarána – language spoken in the same territory on the
Manapiare River. •
Quaqua – once spoken by the northern neighbors of the Mapoyo tribe. (Unattested.) •
Guaquiri – once spoken by the northern neighbors of the Curasicana tribe. (Unattested.) •
Pareca – spoken in the region west of the
Cuchivero River, now probably extinct. (Unattested.) •
Taparito – extinct language once spoken on the middle course of the
Caura River. (Unattested.) •
Cadupinapo – once spoken by the southern neighbors of the Achirigoto tribe. (Unattested.) •
Tabajari – now probably extinct, once spoken on the left bank of the
Erebato River, state of Bolívar. (Unattested.) ;Panare group •
Panáre – language of a small tribe, spoken at the sources of the
Cuchivero River, state of Bolívar, Venezuela. •
Abira – once spoken at the sources of the
Manapiare River. (Unattested.) •
Eye – once spoken by the southwestern neighbors of the Panáre tribe at the sources of the
Cuchivero River. (Unattested.) ;Tamanaco group •
Tamanaco – extinct language once spoken along the
Orinoco River from the mouth of the
Caroni River to the mouth of the
Cuchivero River, state of Bolívar, Venezuela. •
Chayma /
Guarapiche /
Sayma – extinct language once spoken on the
Guarapiche River, state of Anzoátegui, Venezuela. •
Cumanagota – extinct language once spoken on the
Cabo Codera and near
Cumaná, state of Sucre, Venezuela. •
Tivericoto – once spoken on the coast of the state of Monagas, Venezuela •
Palenque – once spoken between the
Unare River and
Tamanaco River, Guárico state. •
Caraca – once spoken around the modern capital of Caracas, Venezuela. (A. Espinosa (Vazquez de Espinosa) 1948, pp. 36–37, only a few words.) •
Ciparigoto – extinct language once spoken on the
Yaracuy River and
Aroa River, state of Yaracuy. (Unattested.) •
Teque – once spoken in the Guaire valley, state of Miranda. (Unattested.) •
Tacarigua – once spoken around Lake Valencia, Miranda. (Unattested.) •
Toromaina – once spoken on the
San Pedro River, federal district of Venezuela. (Unattested.) •
Arbaco – once spoken around the modern city of Victoria, state of Aragua. (Unattested.) •
Meregoto – once spoken on the western shore of
Lake Valencia in the state of Aragua. (Unattested.) •
Quiriquire – extinct language once spoken on the
Tuy River and
Misoa River, state of Miranda. (Oramas 1918a, only a few patronyms.) •
Chapacuare – once spoken in the Pascua valley, state of Guárico. (Unattested.) •
Tarma – once spoken near the modern city of
Maracay, state of Aragua. (Unattested.) •
Mariche – once spoken in the
Baruta valley, state of Miranda. (Unattested.) •
Guayqueri – extinct language once spoken on the
Paoviejo River, state of Cojedes. (Gumilla 1745, pt. 2, pp. 67–68, only one phrase.) •
Tomuza – once spoken between the
Chico River and
Piritú River, states of Miranda and Anzoátegui. (Unattested.) •
Haerena /
Guarena – once spoken between the
Guarenas River and
Guatire River, state of Anzoátegui. (Unattested.) •
Piritú – once spoken around the modern city of
Puerto Píritu, state of Anzoátegui. (Unattested.) •
Tagare – once spoken on the coast of the
Gulf of Cariaco, state of Sucre. (Unattested.) •
Pariagoto /
Guayuno – extinct language once spoken on the
Paria Peninsula in the state of Sucre. •
Chamaygua – once spoken in the state of Sucre by the neighbors of the Cumanagota tribe. (Unattested.) ;Yao group •
Yao /
Anacaioury – language once spoken by two tribes: one on the western part of the island of Trinidad; the other in French Guiana on the
Ivaricopo River and Cau River. ;Shebayi group •
Shebayi /
Supaye – extinct language once spoken in the Guianas; exact location is unknown. ;Motilon group •
Yupe /
Motilon – spoken by many tribes in the
Sierra de Perijá, state of Zulia, Venezuela, and in the department of Magdalena, Colombia. Dialects: •
Chague /
Apon – spoken on the
Apon River, Zulia. •
Iroca – spoken on the
Casacará River, Magdalena. •
Macoa – spoken on the
Yasa River and
Negro River, Zulia. •
Manastara – spoken on the
Becerril River, Zulia. •
Maraca – spoken by a tribe at the source of the
Machigue River and on the
Maraca River, Magdalena. •
Parirí – spoken to the south of the
Apon River. •
Shapáru /
Chaparro – spoken by the western neighbors of the Parirí tribe, Zulia. •
Uasamo – spoken in the same area by the northern neighbors of the Shapáru tribe. (Unattested.) •
Susa – spoken in the central part of the
Sierra de Perijá, Magdalena. (Unattested.) •
Manaure – spoken on the left bank of the lower course of the
La Paz River, Magdalena. (Unattested.) •
Tucushmo – spoken by the northern neighbors of the Iroca tribe, Magdalena. (Unattested.) •
Socorpa – spoken in the same area by the northern neighbors of the Maracá tribe. (Unattested.) •
Curumaní – spoken south of the
Tucui River, Magdalena. (Unattested.) •
Socomba – spoken between the sources of the
Maracá River and
Tucui River, formerly also on the
Buenavista River, Magdalena. (Unattested.) •
Tucuco – spoken at the sources of the
Tucuco River, Zulia. (Unattested.) •
Shiquimu – spoken by the southwestern neighbors of the Shaparu tribe, Zulia. (Unattested.) •
Irapa – spoken by the eastern neighbors of the Shiguimu tribe. (Unattested.) •
Pshicacuo – spoken by the western neighbors of the Tucuco tribe. (Unattested.) •
Mishorca – spoken at the sources of the
Tucuco River by the neighbors of the Pariri tribe. (Unattested.) •
Yapreria /
Sabril – spoken at the sources of the
Palmar River, Zulia. (Anonymous Madrid h.) •
Coyaima /
Tupe – extinct language once spoken on the
César River, Magdalena. (Castro Trespalacios 1946, only a few patronyms.) •
Burede – once spoken at the sources of the
Socuy River, Zulia. (Unattested.) •
Pemeno – once spoken at the mouth of the
Escalante River, Zulia. (Unattested.) •
Bubure /
Bobure – once spoken in the state of Zulia around the modern cities of
Bobures and Gibraltar. (Unattested.) •
Quenagua – extinct language once spoken in Espiritu Santo Valley in the state of Zulia. (Unattested.) •
Umaquena – once spoken on the
Umaquena River, Zulia. (Unattested.) •
Sunesua – once spoken by the southern neighbors of the Quenaga tribe in the Espiritu Santo Valley, Zulia. (Unattested.) •
Lobatera – once spoken around the modern city of Lobatera, state of Táchira. (Unattested.) •
Táchira – once spoken on the
Táchira River, state of Táchira. (Unattested.) •
Tapano – once spoken in the state of Mérida between
Lake Onia and
Lake Motilon. (Unattested.) •
Miyuse – once spoken in the state of Mérida on the
Mucujepe River and
Tucani River. (Unattested.) ;Pijao group •
Pijao /
Pinao – once spoken on the
Luisa River,
Otaima River,
Tuamo River,
Tetuán River,
Aipe River, and
Magdalena River, now in the villages of Ortega,
Coyaima, and
Natagaima, department of Tolima, Colombia. •
Pantagora /
Palenque – once spoken between the
Guarinó River and
San Bartolomé River, department of Calcias, Colombia. (Unattested.) •
Colima – extinct language once spoken on the right bank of the
Magdalena River and on the
Negro River and
Pacho River, Cundinamarca department. •
Muzo – once spoken at the sources of the
Carare River and in the Paima Valley, department of Cundinamarca. (only a few words.) •
Nauta – once spoken by the northern neighbors of the Muzo tribe. (Unattested.) •
Panche – extinct language once spoken on the
Gualí River,
Mariquita River,
Guarinó River,
Coello River,
Villeta River,
Seco River,
Magdalena River, and
Fusagasuga River, Cundinamarca. •
Agatá – once spoken in the department of Cundinamarca on the
Magdalena River, east of the Chibcha tribe. (Unattested.) •
Amani – spoken by the western neighbors of the Pantagora tribe in the department of Caldas. (Unattested.) •
Neiva – once spoken around the modern city of
Neiva in the department of Huila. (Unattested.) •
Manipo – once spoken at the mouth of the
La Plata River in the same area. (Unattested.) •
Ajie – unknown language of an extinct tribe that once lived in the territory of Meta at the sources of the
Tagua River and
Losada River. (Unattested.) ;Opone group •
Opone – extinct language once spoken on the
Opone River, department of Santander, Colombia. •
Carare – spoken by a few individuals on the
Carare River in the department of Santander. •
Yariguí – once spoken on the
Sogamoso River and in
Barranca Bermeja in the same department. (Unattested.) •
Hacaritama – once spoken around present-day
Hacaritama city in the department of Santander. •
Xiriguana – extinct language of a tribe once living in the department of Santander in the Cordillera de Lebaja. (Unattested.) •
Carate – once spoken around the modern city of
Ocaña, department of Norte de Santander. (Unattested.) •
Corbago – once spoken in the department of Magdalena in the
Sierra de Mene. (Unattested.) •
Guane – once spoken in the department of Santander at the sources of the
Tarare River. (Gumilla 1745, pt. 2, p. 40, only two words.) •
Chinato – extinct language once spoken on the upper course of the
Zulia River, department of Norte de Santander, around the modern city of
Cúcuta. (Unattested.) •
Zorca – once spoken in the same department in the San Cristóbal Valley (Unattested.) •
Cariquena – once spoken on the
Cariquena River in the state of Táchira, Venezuela. (Unattested.) •
Capacho – once spoken around the village of
Capacho in the state of Táchira, Venezuela. (Unattested.) ;Carijona group •
Guaque /
Huaque /
Murcielaga – extinct language once spoken on the
Inganos River, Caquetá territory, Colombia. •
Carijona /
Kalihóna – language now spoken by a few individuals on the middle course of the
Caquetá River, territory of Caquetá. •
Umáua /
Hiánocoto /
Máua – language spoken at the sources of the
Apoporis River in the territory of Caquetá. •
Saha /
Tsahatsaha – spoken in the territory of Caquetá between the
Cuemani River and
Yarí River. (Unattested.) •
Riama – spoken between the
Yari River,
Apoporis River, and
Vaupés River, territories of Caquetá and Vaupés. (Unattested.) •
Mahotoyana – spoken in the territory of Vaupés on the
Macaya River. (Unattested.) •
Ajajú – unknown language spoken on the
Ajaju River, Amazonas territory. (Unattested.) ;Patagon group •
Patagon – extinct language once spoken in the villages of Paca,
Olipanche, and Bagua and around the modern city of
Jaén, department of Cajamarca, Peru. (only a few words.) ;Arara group •
Arára /
Ajujure /
Cabanaé /
Opinadkóm – extinct language once spoken on the right bank of the
Pacajá Grande River and on the upper course of the
Anapu River, Pará, Brazil. •
Apingi /
Apeiaca /
Apiacá de Tocantins – language spoken between the
Tocantins River and
Jacunda River, state of Pará. Now spoken by only a few individuals. •
Parirí – once spoken at the sources of the
Pacajá River,
Jacundá River, and
Arataú River, Pará, now perhaps extinct. •
Timirem /
Antimilene – language of an unknown tribe that live in the virgin forests on the
Agua de Saúde River, Pará. (Unattested.) •
Yuma – extinct language once spoken on the
Jacaré River and
Ituxi River, territory of Rondônia. (Unattested.) ;Palmela group •
Palmela – extinct language once spoken at the mouth of the
São Simão River in the
Guaporé River, Rondônia. ;Pimenteira group •
Pimenteira – Portuguese name of an extinct language the original name of which is unknown, spoken once at the sources of the
Sant' Anna River and on Lake Pimenteira and between the
Piauí River and
Gurgueia River, state of Piauí, Brazil. ;Xingú group •
Yaruma /
Aruma – spoken at the sources of the
Paranaíba River, state of Mato Grosso, now perhaps extinct. •
Bacairí /
Bacaery – originally spoken between the
Batoví River and
Curisevú River, later on the
Paranatinga River, now by only a few families on the Posto Simões Lopes, Mato Grosso. •
Nahukwá /
Naucuá /
Anáukwá – language spoken between the
Curisevú River and
Culuene River, with many dialects: •
Yanumakapü /
Nahukwá proper – northern dialect. •
Etagl – spoken in the village of
Etagl. •
Kuikutl /
Guicurú /
Cuicuro – spoken on the
Culuene River in the village of
Cuicuro. •
Kalapalo /
Apalaquiri – spoken in the village of the same name on the
Culuene River. •
Matipú /
Matipuhy – spoken in the village of the same name on the right bank of the
Curisevú River. •
Yamarikuná – spoken on the
Curisevú River. •
Suva /
Tsúva – spoken by a few people on the right bank of the
Curisevú River. (Unattested.) •
Naravute /
Naravóto – spoken on the
Curisevú River. •
Aipats – spoken on the
Curisevú River; now probably extinct. (Unattested.) •
Auwáwiti – spoken by a few people on the
Curisevú River. (Unattested.)
Meira (2006) Preliminary internal classification of the Cariban languages according to
Sérgio Meira (2006): •
Cariban •
Guianan branch •
Karinya (Galibi);
Wayana;
Apalaí (?);
Palmella (?) •
Taranoan group •
Karihona •
Tiriyó;
Akuriyó •
Parukotoan group •
Katxuyana •
Waiwai;
Hixkaryana •
Venezolano branch •
Coastal group •
Tamanaku •
Chayma •
Cumanagoto •
Pemongan group •
Pemong (Arekuna, etc.) •
Kapong (Akawaio, etc.) •
Makuxi •
Panare •
Ye’kwana (?) •
Mapoyo (?);
Yawarana (?) •
Waimirian branch •
Waimiri-Atroari (?) •
Yukpano branch •
Yukpa (Motilón) •
Hapreria (Japreria) •
Southern (or
Pekodian) branch •
Bakairi •
Xinguan group (or
Kampot dialect cluster) •
Arára •
Ikpeng •
Apiaká do Tocantins •
Parirí •
Yarumá •
Kuikuroan branch •
Kuikuro (Kalapalo, etc.) •
Pimenteira (?)
Gildea (2012) As of Gildea (2012), there had not yet been time to fully reclassify the Cariban languages based on the new data. The list here is therefore tentative, though an improvement over the one above; the most secure branches are listed first, and only two of the extinct languages are addressed. •
Cariban •
Parukotoan •
Katxúyana (Shikuyana, Warikyana) • Waiwai:
Waiwai (Wabui, Tunayana),
Hixkaryana •
Pekodian •
Bakairí • Arara:
Arara (Parirí),
Ikpéng (Txikão) •
Venezuelan Carib • Pemóng–Panare • Pemóng:
Kapóng (Akawaio, Patamuna, Ingarikó),
Makushi,
Pemón (Taurepang, Kamarakóto, Arekuna) •
Panare • Mapoyo–Tamanaku •
Kumaná (Chaima, Cumanagota, Tamanaku) •
Mapoyo-Yawarana (Mapoyo, Wanai, Yawarana, Pémono) •
Nahukwa:
Kuikúro, Kalapalo •
Guianan Carib •
Kari'nja (Carib, Kalinya, Cariña, Galibi) •
Makiritare (De'kwana, Maiongong, Ye'kwana) •
Taranoan • Tiriyo:
Akuriyo,
Tiriyo, Trio •
Karihona •
Wayana • Unclassified: •
Apalaí •
Waimirí Atroarí • Yukpa:
Yukpa,
Japréria Meira et al. (2015) Meira, Birchall & Chousou-Polydouri (2015) give the following
phylogenetic tree of Cariban, based on a
computational phylogenetic analysis of 100-item
Swadesh lists. •
Cariban •
Opon-Carare •
Yukpa •
Nuclear Cariban •
Sapara •
Pekodian •
Bakairi •
Arara,
Ikpeng •
Kuhikugu •
Pemongan •
Pemon •
Taurepang •
Makushi •
Patamuna;
Akawaio,
Arekuna •
Wayumaran •
Wayumara •
Purukoto •
Parukotoan •
Katxuyana •
Hixkaryana,
Waiwai •
Kumanan •
Chayma •
Cumanagoto •
Tamanaku •
Mapoyan •
Yawarana •
Pemono,
Mapoyo •
Panare •
Dekwana •
Guianan •
Wayana,
Apalai •
Taranoan •
Karihona •
Tiriyo,
Akuriyo •
Karina •
Waimiri Meira, Birchall & Chousou-Polydouri (2015) conclude that the Proto-Cariban
homeland was located north of the
Amazon River, and that there is no evidence for a northward migration from the south, as previously proposed by
Rodrigues (1985). Rather there were two southern migrations (
Pekodian and
Nahukwa into the
Upper Xingu).
Jolkesky (2016) Internal classification by Jolkesky (2016): ( = extinct) •
Karib • Karib, Western •
Karare •
Opon • Karib, Central •
Apalai • Hianakoto •
Guake •
Hianakoto-Umawa •
Karihona •
Kariña •
Palmella • Tarano •
Akurio •
Tiriyo •
Wayana • Karib, Southern • Kuikuro •
Kalapalo •
Kuikuro •
Matipu •
Nahukwa •
Pekodi • Arara-Ikpeng •
Arara •
Ikpeng •
Bakairi •
Pimenteira • Karib, Northern •
Parukoto •
Kashuyana • Parukoto, Nuclear •
Hishkaryana •
Sikiana •
Waiwai • Purukoto • Kapong:
Akawayo;
Patamona •
Makushi • Pemon:
Arekuna;
Ingariko;
Kamarakoto;
Taurepang •
Purukoto • Venezuela • De'kwana-Wayumara • ''
De'kwana'' •
Wayumara •
Eñepa • Kumana •
Chayma •
Kumanagoto • Mapoyo-Yabarana •
Mapoyo •
Pemono •
Yabarana •
Tamanaku • Yao •
Tiverikoto •
Yao • Yawaperi-Paravilhana • Sapara-Paravilhana •
Paravilhana •
Sapara • Yawaperi •
Bonari •
Waimiri-Atroari • Yukpa-Japreria •
Japreria •
Yukpa ==Proto-language== Proto-Cariban phonology according to Gildea (2012): ==See also==