Kapóng language

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Kapóng is a Cariban language spoken mainly in Guyana, most commonly in the region of the Upper Mazaruni. Though many speakers do not live in villages, there are a number of population centers, notably Kamarang, Jawalla, Waramadong, and Kako. There are two dialects, Akawaio and Patamona.

The Macushi name of the language is Ingarikó.

History

The Carib tribes practice an Indigenous system of beliefs, one that dates back to the 16th century. It was not until the 19th century that attempts were made to understand the beliefs and practices of this tribe. Much of the Kapóng language refers back to sun worship and sun spirits, which is reflective of the beliefs system of these Carib-speaking tribes. Literature has also found belief in a higher being in the sky among the Carib tribes in Guyana.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref>

Geographic distribution

The Kapóng language is found to be spoken in lowland tropical South America, particularly in the countries of Guyana, Brazil, and Venezuela.

In Guyana, Kapóng is spoken in forests by the Mazaruni River Basin. In 2013, a survey by the Inter-American Development Bank identified 20% fluency among Akawaio, which was the highest fluency rate among all sampled Indigenous groups in Guyana. However, no Indigenous language was in use by the Guyanese Patamona people in the survey.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>

The number of speakers in Brazil is about 10,000, and the transmission of language in Brazil is deemed to be of good standing.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Speakers in Brazil are found in the Roraima Indigenous Terra Raposa.

In Venezuela, Kapóng is spoken in the states of Bolivar and Monagas.

Dialects/Varieties

Kapóng has three dialects, which are:<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

• Akawaio (Akawayo)
• Ingarikó (Ingaricó)
• Patamona

Phonology

Consonants

		Bilabial	Alveolar	Palatal	Velar
Plosive	Template:Small	Template:IPA link	Template:IPA link		Template:IPA link
	Template:Small	Template:IPA link	Template:IPA link		Template:IPA link
Fricative	Template:Small		Template:IPA link
	Template:Small		Template:IPA link
Nasal		Template:IPA link	Template:IPA link
Flap			Template:IPA link
Semivowel				Template:IPA link	Template:IPA link

The allophones of {{#invoke:IPA|main}} are {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as well as the allophones of {{#invoke:IPA|main}} being {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Vowels

	Front	Central	Back
Close	Template:IPA link	Template:IPA link	Template:IPA link
Close-mid	Template:IPA link	Template:IPA link	Template:IPA link
Open		Template:IPA link

Orthography

Vowels and diphthongs

• a - [a]
• e - [ɛ/e]
• i - [i]
• ï - [ɨ]
• o - [o/ɔ]
• ö - [ʌ]
• u - [u]
• ai - [aj]
• au - [aw]
• ei - [ej]
• oi - [ɔj]

Consonants

• b - [b]
• ch - [t͡ʃ]
• d - [d]
• g - [g]
• j - [d͡ʒ] ~ [ʒ]
• k - [k]
• m - [m]
• n - [n]
• ñ - [ɲ]
• ng - [ŋ]
• p - [p]
• r - [ɺ]
• s - [s]
• sh - [ʃ]
• t - [t]
• w - [w]
• y - [j]
• z - [z]
• ' - [ʔ]<ref>Gildea, Spike and Caesar-Fox, Desrey (2006) “Clause linking in Akawaio (Cariban)”</ref><ref>Caesar-Fox, Desrey (2003) Zauro'nödok Agawayo Yau: variants of Akawaio spoken at Waramadong.</ref>

Morphology

yamok (aemvk)Template:Clarification needed is an ending used to make words plural. (i.e.) Adding yamok to "Kapong" makes "Kapong" plural; Kapong yamok.<ref name=":0" />

-da is a marker used to mark possession. (i.e.) kaata = book; da kaata = my book.<ref name=":0" />

The preferred word order of Kapóng is subject-object-verb, for example:<ref name=":1">Template:Cite journal</ref>

However, the word order is flexible and there are cases where the object precedes the subject in sentences. Such as:<ref name=":1" />

There are no gender distinctions found in Kapóng, as there are no differences in personal pronoun systems and affixes to indicate genders of nouns.

Similes are often used in writing, as many words in this language allow this to occur. Through the use of suffixes, many words can be converted into similes. Examples are as follows:<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

• -kasa = 'like'
• -walai = 'similar to'

Vocabulary

Much of the Kapóng language has emphasis on a higher spirit/god up in the sky, and this is reflected in the vocabulary in this language.<ref name=":0" />

• Kapóng = Sky People
• akwalo = the spirit
• akwa = God's place
• Waica = warrior
• Taemogoli = grandfather
• Kapo = in the sky
• Iopotari akuru = chief spirit

External links

• http://www.language-museum.com/encyclopedia/a/akawaio.php
• http://www.endangeredlanguages.com/lang/668/guide
• http://www.native-languages.org/akawaio.htm