Terêna or Etelena is an Arawakan language spoken by the Terena people of Brazil. The language has a dictionary and written grammar. Many Terena people have low Portuguese proficiency. It is spoken in Mato Grosso do Sul. About 20% are literate in their language, 80% literate in Portuguese.

Terêna has an active–stative syntax and verb-object-subject as default word order.

Dialects

Terêna originally had four varieties: Kinikinao, Terena proper, Guaná, and Chané. These varieties have sometimes been considered to be separate languages. Carvalho (2016) has since demonstrated all four to be the same language. Only Terena proper is still spoken.

Language contact

Terena originated in the Northwestern Chaco. As a result, many Northern Guaicuruan loanwords can be found in Terena.

There are also many Tupi-Guarani loanwords in Terena and other southern Arawakan languages.

Phonology

Consonants

may often be heard as .

Vowels

is heard as an allophone of .

See also

• Terena Sign Language

Notes

References