In Bolivia, three languages—Quechua, Aymara, and Tupi Guarani—are co-official alongside Spanish. In Paraguay, Guarani shares joint official status with Spanish. In Colombia, the languages of the country's ethnic groups are constitutionally recognized as official languages in their territories; more than 60 such aboriginal languages exist today. Ecuador uses Spanish,
Northern Quechua, and
Shuar as official languages for intercultural relations. In Peru, Quechua and Aymara, as well as other indigenous languages, are co-official in the areas where they are predominant. There are many other languages once spoken in South America that are extinct today (such as the
extinct languages of the Marañón River basin).
In Brazil, there are around 135 indigenous languages confirmed. The regions with the most speakers are North and Central-West Brazil, where there is a larger concentration of native people. Indigenous populations have been trying to keep their traditions of their homeland, with the help of
Funai, the agency responsible for the protection of the native people.
There are also small clusters of
Japanese speakers in Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia (including
Okinawans from the island of Okinawa). Brazil currently holds the largest Japanese community outside Japan.[49][12]
Caribbean Hindustani is spoken by the
Indo-Guyanese and the
Indo-Surinamese.[50] In Suriname, the language is known as Sarnami Hindoestani and is still widely spoken. However, in Guyana, where it is known as Aili Gaili,[51] the language is nearly extinct as a spoken language, with only words and phrases still remaining.[52]
^Greenberg, Joseph H. "The general classification of Central and South American languages", in: Men and cultures; selected papers of the 5th international congress of anthropological and ethnologicalsciences, Philadelphia, September 1956 PP. 791-4
In Bolivia, three languages—Quechua, Aymara, and Tupi Guarani—are co-official alongside Spanish. In Paraguay, Guarani shares joint official status with Spanish. In Colombia, the languages of the country's ethnic groups are constitutionally recognized as official languages in their territories; more than 60 such aboriginal languages exist today. Ecuador uses Spanish,
Northern Quechua, and
Shuar as official languages for intercultural relations. In Peru, Quechua and Aymara, as well as other indigenous languages, are co-official in the areas where they are predominant. There are many other languages once spoken in South America that are extinct today (such as the
extinct languages of the Marañón River basin).
In Brazil, there are around 135 indigenous languages confirmed. The regions with the most speakers are North and Central-West Brazil, where there is a larger concentration of native people. Indigenous populations have been trying to keep their traditions of their homeland, with the help of
Funai, the agency responsible for the protection of the native people.
There are also small clusters of
Japanese speakers in Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia (including
Okinawans from the island of Okinawa). Brazil currently holds the largest Japanese community outside Japan.[49][12]
Caribbean Hindustani is spoken by the
Indo-Guyanese and the
Indo-Surinamese.[50] In Suriname, the language is known as Sarnami Hindoestani and is still widely spoken. However, in Guyana, where it is known as Aili Gaili,[51] the language is nearly extinct as a spoken language, with only words and phrases still remaining.[52]
^Greenberg, Joseph H. "The general classification of Central and South American languages", in: Men and cultures; selected papers of the 5th international congress of anthropological and ethnologicalsciences, Philadelphia, September 1956 PP. 791-4