The two Lule–Vilela languages constitute a small, extinct, distantly related language family of northern Argentina. Kaufman found the relationship likely and with general agreement among the major classifiers of South American languages. Viegas Barros published additional evidence from 1996 to 2006. However, Zamponi (2008) considers Lule and Vilela each as language isolates, with similarities being due to contact.

Internal classification

Internal classification of the Lule–Vilela languages by Mason (1950):

  • Lule–Vilela Lule Great Lule (of Miraflores, of Machoni) Small Lule Isistiné Tokistiné Oristiné Vilela Atalalá Chunupí (Sinipé, Chulupí) Yooc (Yoo, Wamalca) Ocolé Yecoanita Pasain (Pazaine) Omoampa (Umuapa) Vacaa Vilela Ipa Takete Yoconoampa (Yecunampa) Wamalca (Malbalá ?)

Unclassfied languages are Tonocoté, Matará, and Guacará.

Vocabulary

Loukotka (1968) lists the following basic vocabulary items for Lule, Vilela, and Chunupí.

gloss Lule Vilela Chunupí one alapea two tamop three tamlip head tokó niskún niskan tooth l'ú lupé water to má maá fire ikue nié nié sun ini oló oló moon kopi kokpi star tókxo tree é maize pilis fish peás dog huan-okol jaguar ikém ikempé black kirimit

Proto-language

For reconstructions of Proto-Lule-Vilela by Viegas Barros (2006), see the corresponding Spanish article.

  • Viegas Barros, J. P. (2001). "Evidencias del parentesco de las lenguas lule y vilela". Colección Folklore y Antropología, 4. Santa Fe: Subsecretaría de Cultura, Dirección Provincial de Gestión Cultural. pp. 15–21.
  • Adelaar, William F.H.; Pieter C. Muysken (2004). . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. –392. ISBN 0-521-36275-X.
  • Greenberg, Joseph; Ruhlen, Merritt (2007-09-04). (PDF) (12 ed.). Stanford: Dept. of Anthropological Sciences Stanford University. Archived from (PDF) on 2010-12-25.

External links

  • Alain Fabre. 2005. Diccionario etnolingüístico y guía bibliográfica de los pueblos indígenas sudamericanos.