Overview
Terêna or Etelena is an Arawakan language spoken by 15,000 Terenas. 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.
Consonants
may often be heard as .
Vowels
is heard as an allophone of .
See also
*Terena Sign Language