Hixkaryána is a member of the Southern Guiana branch of Cariban languages. It is spoken in Pará and Amazonas states of Brazil on the Nhamundá, Mapuera and Japatú rivers, tributaries of the Amazon. In the year 2000 there were about 600 speakers of Hixkaryána.
Other names for this language include: Hixkariana, Hishkaryana, Parukoto-Charuma, Parucutu, Chawiyana, Kumiyana, Sokaka, Wabui, Faruaru, Sherewyana, Xerewyana, Xereu, Hichkaryana
One unusual feature of Hixkaryána is that it's one of the few languages that normally uses a Object Subject Verb word order. Before it was first described by the linguist Desmond Derbyshire, no language was thought to use such word order.
Parts of the Bible were translated into Hixkaryána in 1966, and the complete New Testament was published in 1976. Only about 30% to 60% of those who speak Hixkaryána the language are able to read and write it.
Source: http://www.rosettaproject.org/rosetta/A1/archive/carib/americas/hix/phon-v1
Download an alphabet chart for Hixkaryána (Excel)
Onà wyaro-tà amnyehra nehxakonà, Khoryenkom karyehtanà ywero, yaworono ywero-he. Yukryeka-htxero-tyakàhtoy-ha, Khoryenkomo. Kahe-t yakàhtoy-xarha. Àro wyaro-t omeroro nakàtoy-ha. Wewe-komo, tano-mya tàtosom-komo, omeroro-t nakàhtoy-ha, Khoryenkomo.
Source: http://www.language-museum.com/h/hixkaryana.htm
In the beginning God created heaven and earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep water. The spirit of God was hovering over the water.
Information about the Hixkaryána language and people
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hixkaryana_language
http://www.rosettaproject.org
http://www.sil.org/americas/brasil/LANGPAGE/EnglHXPg.htm
Akawaio, Akurio, Bakairi, Carib, Carijona, Hixkaryána, Ikpeng, Kapóng, Japreria, Macushi, Panare, Pemon, Tiriyó, Wayana, Ye’kuana, Yukpa
Languages written with the Latin alphabet
Page last modified: 23.04.21
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