Macro-Chibchan languages
| Macro-Chibchan | |
|---|---|
| controversial | |
| Geographic distribution: |
Central America and Colombia |
| Linguistic classification: | Macro-Chibchan |
| Subdivisions: | |
 The Chibchan, Misumalpan, and Lencan languages
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Macro-Chibchan is a proposal linking languages of Colombia and Nicaragua. These languages were once included in the Chibchan family itself, but were excluded pending further evidence as that family became well established. Kaufman (1990) finds the Chibchan–Misumalpan connection convincing, if as yet unsubstantiated, though Campbell (2000) finds it doubtful. Xincan was once included, but this is now doubtful.
Constenla (2005) provides 85 forms he proposes display regular correspondence between Lencan, Misumalpan, and Chibchan, a group he calls Lenmichí (Lencan–Misumalpan–Chibchan). He suggests that Chocoan may be related as well.
Greenberg proposed a broader conception of Macro-Chibchan, one dismissed by linguists working on the families in question. It included Yanomam, Tarascan, and Cuitlatec in addition to Chibchan–Misulmalpan–Xinca–Lenca. Greenberg (1987) included Paezan languages in a Chibchan-Paezan stock with Barbacoan, Chibchan, Chocoan, Jirajaran, and the isolates Betoi, Kamsá (Sibundoy), Yaruro, Esmeraldeño, Mochica, Cunza, Itonama, and Yurumanguí.
Contents |
Reconstruction [edit]
Constenla (2005) reconstructed five vowels and eleven consonants for Proto-Lenmichian, with the following reflexes:
Vowels [edit]
| Proto-Lenmichian | *a | *e | *i | *o | *u |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proto-Chibchan | *a | *e | *i | *o | *u |
| Proto-Lencan | *a *e | *e | *i | *o *u | *u |
| Proto-Misumalpan | *a | *i | *i | *u | *u |
There are also a series[clarification needed] of nasal vowels.
Consonants [edit]
| Proto-Lenmichian | *b | *d | *t | *k | *ʔ | *ts | *s | *h | *l | *ɾ | *w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proto-Chibchan | *b | *d | *t | *k | *ʔ | *ts | *s | *h | *ɾ | ∅ | |
| Proto-Lencan | *p *m |
*l *n |
*t | *k | ∅ | *ts' | ∅ | *l | *w | ||
| Proto-Misumalpan | *b *p *m |
*d *n |
*t | *k | ∅ | *s | ∅ | *l | *ɾ | *w | |
References [edit]
- Constenla Umaña, Adolfo (2002). "Acerca de la relación genealógica entre las lenguas lencas y las lenguas misumalpas". Revista de Filología y Lingüística de la Universidad de Costa Rica 28: 189–206.
- Constenla Umaña, Adolfo (2005). "¿Existe relación genealógica entre las lenguas misumalpas y las chibchenses?". Estudios de Lingüística Chibcha 24: 7–85.
- Greenberg, Joseph H. (1987). Language in the Americas. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.
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