The Languages of the Andes

Documents the diverse range of languages in the Andean and Pacific regions of South America.

Willem F. H. Adelaar (Author), Pieter C. Muysken (With)

9780521362757, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 June 2004

748 pages, 1 b/w illus. 13 maps 103 tables
23.7 x 16 x 4.9 cm, 1.352 kg

'Undoubtedly we have before us a masterpiece that, in appearing, symbolically enough, at the beginning of the current century, shows the great development and maturity achieved by studies in South American aboriginal linguistics. In this sense, The Languages of the Andes will henceforth be a true classic work on Amerindian languages.' Language

The Andean and Pacific regions of South America are home to a remarkable variety of languages and language families, with a range of typological differences. This linguistic diversity results from a complex historical background, comprising periods of greater communication between different peoples and languages, and periods of fragmentation and individual development. The Languages of the Andes documents in a single volume the indigenous languages spoken and formerly spoken in this linguistically rich region, as well as in adjacent areas. Grouping the languages into different cultural spheres, it describes their characteristics in terms of language typology, language contact, and the social perspectives of present-day languages. The authors provide both historical and contemporary information, and illustrate the languages with detailed grammatical sketches. Written in a clear and accessible style, this book will be a valuable source for students and scholars of linguistics and anthropology alike.

List of tables
List of maps
Preface
Orthographic conventions
List of abbreviations
1. Introduction
2. The Chibcha sphere
3. The Inca sphere
4. The languages of the eastern slopes
5. The Araucanian sphere
6. The languages of Tierra del Fuego
7. The Spanish presence
Appendix: inventory of languages and language families of the Andean region
References
Author index
Index of languages and ethnic groups
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Linguistics [CF]