NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Alacalufan languages

Kawésqar/Qawasqar (Kawésqar)
Spoken in:	Chile
Region:
Total speakers:	22 or fewer
Ranking:	Not in top 100
Genetic classification:	Language isolate or Alacalufan
Official status
Official language of:	-
Regulated by:	-
Language codes
ISO 639-1	-
ISO 639-2	-
SIL	alc
See also: Language – List of languages

Kawésqar, also known as Qawasqar, Alacaluf, and Halakwulup, is a language isolate spoken in southern Chile. Originally there were several distinct dialects, and one of these, Kakauhua, is sometimes listed as a separate language. The language family containing these two languages is known as Alacalufan. Only about 22 speakers remain, half of them on Wellington Island, off the southwestern coast of Chile. This is a list of languages ordered by number of first-language speakers, with some data for second-language use. ... Human Language Families Most languages are known to belong to language families (families hereforth). ... A language isolate is a natural language with no demonstrable genetic relationship with other living languages; that is, one that has not been proven to descend from a common ancestor to any other language. ... ISO 639 is one of several international standards that lists short codes for language names. ... SIL International is a non-profit, Christian, scientific organization with the main purpose to study, develop and document lesser-known languages for the purpose of expanding linguistic knowledge, promoting world literacy and aiding minority language development. ... This list of languages is alphabetical by English name. ... A language isolate is a natural language with no demonstrable genetic relationship with other living languages; that is, one that has not been proven to descend from a common ancestor to any other language. ...

Phonology

The alphabet in use is as follows [1]: a, æ, c, c', e, f, h, i, j, k, k', l, m, n, o, p, p', q, r, rr, s, t, t', u, w, x. However, there are reported to be differences between dialects, and some sounds that are not represented here.

Morphology and syntax

Kawésqar has a complex system of grammatical tense, which includes a basic morphological contrast between future, present, immediate past, recent past, distant past, and mythological past events. Grammatical tense is a way languages express the time at which an event described by a sentence occurs. ...

External links

Results from FactBites:

Language family - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (1626 words)
	A language family is a group of genetically related languages said to have descended from a common proto-language.
	Language families can be divided into smaller phylogenetic units, conventionally referred to as branches of the family, because the history of a language family is often represented as a tree diagram.
	Thai Sign Language is a mixed language derived from ASL and the native sign languages of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and may be considered part of the ASL family.

Kawésqar language - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (246 words)
	Kawésqar (also Qawasqar, Alacaluf, Halakwulup, Kaweskar, Alakaluf, Kawaskar, Kawesqar, Qawashqar, Halakwalip, Hekaine, Kaueskar, Aksanás) is a language isolate spoken in southern Chile by the Kawésqar people.
	Originally there were several distinct dialects, and one of these, Kakauhua, is sometimes listed as a separate language.
	The language family containing these two languages is known as Alacalufan.

More results at FactBites »

COMMENTARY

Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms.