The Adjective Class in Tariana

Abstract

Abstract Tariana is an endangered North Arawak language spoken in the linguistic area of the Vaupes river basin. This area is known for its institutionalized multilingualism based on the language group exogamy operating between speakers of Tariana and of languages belonging to the East Tucanoan sub-group (including Tucano, Piratapuya, Wanano, and Desano). Multilingualism is maintained through a strong inhibition against ‘ language mixing’ viewed in terms of using lexical or grammatical morphemes from another language. A long-term interaction between East Tucanoan languages and Tariana has resulted in a rampant diffusion of grammatical and semantic patterns (though not so much of forms) and calquing of categories. Comparison of Tariana with other Arawak languages (especially with the closely related Baniwa of Icana/Kurripako and Piapoco) helps distinguish patterns inherited from the proto-language from those acquired through areal diffusion. A combination of genetically inherited features, a really acquired properties, and independent innovations accounts for the complexity of Tariana grammar.