Caribbean languages

According to the classification of J.H. Greenberg , the Caribbean languages ​​are combined with the languages ​​Pan, Nambikwara, Warpe, Peba, Vitoto (Whitoto) and others in the Pan-Caribbean macro-family (sometimes they are also related to the Arawak and Hoka-Siu languages) . The family of Caribbean languages ​​sometimes includes languages ​​traditionally assigned to other families, for example karankava , choko and others.

Existing classifications of Caribbean languages ​​are based mainly on geographical principles. C. Loucotka divides the Caribbean languages ​​into 24 groups: Western (Caribbean, etc.), Eastern (Vayana, Apalai, etc.), Trio, Chikena, Waivai, Yauaperi, Paushiana, Makusha, Pemon (languages ​​Pemon, Arequuna, Akawai and etc.), Makiritare, Mapoyo, Pavara, Tamanako (languages ​​of Tamanako, Chayma, etc.), Yao, Shebayi, Motilon, Pihao, Opone, Karichona, Patagon, Arara, Palmela, Pimenteira and Shingu (Yaruma, Bakairi, Nauva and other).

Classification is hindered by the poor knowledge of existing languages ​​and the lack of materials on already extinct languages ​​traditionally classified as Caribbean. For example, all known materials on the languages ​​of the pihao group (pihao, punch, pantagore, colima, muso) make lists of no more than 40 words, patagon language - 5 words, which forces some scientists to classify such languages ​​as unclassified .

The most elaborated is the classification of T. Kaufman (1990, 1994), repeated in many works.

• Opohn-karare (†)
• Yukpa (coastal): yukpa , † koyima , hapreria (yapreria), extinct cumana and chayma are also possible
• Caribbean (Karinha, Galibi)
• Guiana branch
  • tyrióó:
    • Tiriyo: Akurio , Tiriyo (trió)
    • karichona: karikhona , hianákoto (-mumava)
    • salumá
  • Kashuyan group: Kashuyana-varikyana , Shikuyana
  • vaiwai group: vaiwai , hishkaryana
• North Amazonian branch
  • yavaperi: bo (a) nari, yavaperi
  • Paravillian group: † sapará, † paravigliana, paushiana
  • pemonic group: tops , pemon , capong , † purukotó
• Central branch
  • † kumaná
  • † yao: † tibericoto, † yao
  • Vayan group: sculpted , † Aracaju
  • apalai
  • Mapoyo-Yavarana: Mapoyo , † Tamanaku
  • Makiritari group: Makiritari (Makiritare), † Vayumara
• South Amazonian branch
  • Shingguan group (bakairi): bakairi , amonap (incl. matipu , kuykuro, kalapalo, nahuku)
  • arara : parano aára , † yaruma, † apiaka-apingi, † zuma, ikpeng
  • † palmela
  • † pimenteira
• Panare
• A number of extinct languages ​​remain unclassified : † Urukuyana, † Triometesen, † Kumaena, † Pianakoto, † Yavaperi, † Chicken, † Sapará, † Yavaperi, † Waimiri (atroari) , † Powisi, † Arinagoto

Phonetics

The phonetic system of the Caribbean languages ​​is characterized by rather poor consonantism: usually there is only one series of connected (deaf or voiced) and one series of fricative (deaf). Among sonor r and l do not differ. The vocalism system usually has vowels i, e, a, ƭ, u, o, less often ə and sometimes their long and nasalized correlates, diphthongs are widespread. Caribbean languages ​​are characterized by a tendency to open syllable, although in the position between the vowels there are combinations “sonor + noisy”. The specific gravity of two- and three-compound roots is rather high.

Morphology

The morphological structure of the Caribbean languages ​​is agglutinative , there are cases of incorporation . Noun inflection is characterized by the presence of personal possessive prefixes. There are no cases. The category of a number is expressed by common suffixes for the name and verb. Numerous postpositions change in the same way.

Personal prefixes of the transitive verb coincide with personal-possessive prefixes of names. The choice of personal prefixes of the transitive verb depends on what combination of faces of the subject and object you want to express. The verb also has the forms of causation, reciprocity, recurrence, a media asset (intransitive active action verbs formed from transitive ones), and, apparently, a liability. There are 3 forms of imperative. The time system includes the present (speaking in the meaning of the future), recent and long past times. Suffixes of a species usually express the values ​​of completeness of an action, perfectiveness, repetition, duration, modal suffixes - obligation, desirability and unreality of action. Repeatability, duration of action may be expressed by reduplication. The system of both nominal and verbal derivative suffixes is quite developed.

Demonstrative pronouns are contrasted in terms of near / distant and animate / inanimate.

Almost all the numerals of the first ten are either derivatives or retain an etymological connection with nouns.

The word order in a sentence with a transitive verb is characterized by the constructions of both SOV and OSV. Definition precedes definable.

• Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.). Ethnologue: Languages ​​of the World, Fifteenth edition (neopr.) . Sicilian: A language of Italy . Ethnologue ( 2005 ). Date of treatment January 9, 2008. Archived February 19, 2012.