50 Examples of Language Varieties in Ecuador
Miscellanea / / November 09, 2021
Linguistic Varieties in Ecuador
A linguistic variety or modality is a specific form that a natural language or language acquires, which depends on the geographical context, Social and age of its speakers. The dialects are the regional varieties or modalities in which a language is presented.
Currently, linguistic varieties in Ecuador They are composed of: Ecuadorian Spanish, the official language of the country and the first mother tongue and most widespread use among its inhabitants, and fourteen indigenous languages of eight different families linguistics.
Original or indigenous languages of Ecuador
The Ecuadorian constitution indicates that Spanish is the official language and indicates that the Kichwa and Shuar languages are accepted as official languages of intercultural relations.
The other languages are of official use for indigenous peoples in the areas where they live and in the terms established by law. Currently two of these languages stand out, due to the number of people who still use them: Kichwa and Shuar.
Languages | Language families |
A’ingae | independent language |
Achuar Chicham | jivaro |
Awap’it | barbecue |
Cha’palaa | barbecue |
Amazonian Kichwa | quichua |
Kichwa Sierra | quichua |
Paicoca | tukano |
Shimingae | zaparo |
Shiwiar Chicham | jivaro |
Sia Pedee | crashed |
Shuar chicham | jivaro |
Tsafiki | barbecue |
Wao Terero | independent language |
Zapara | zaparo |
Example of Kichwa words
- Añanku: ant.
- Apamuna: bring.
- Asina: to laugh.
- Bacha: weather.
- Chari: cold.
- Churi: child.
- Khuyana: to love.
- Kushma: coat.
- Mother: mother.
- Ñaupana: pass.
Example of words in Shuar
- Akankem: car.
- Apachich: grandfather.
- Esékmatai: blanket.
- Japimiuk: broom.
- Jempe: hummingbird.
- Katip: mouse.
- Kinkiapatin: light blue.
- Pinchuchink: sparrow.
- Pirish: parakeet.
- Pushu: coffee.
Spanish language of Ecuador
Ecuadorian Spanish is the set of varieties of Castilian or Spanish used in Ecuador. The three main dialects of the country are:
-
Coastal or Equatorial Spanish. It is used in the Coastal Region and in the Galapagos Islands. The headquarters of this most influential dialect in the national territory is the city of Guayaquil. The main features are:
- The accent tends to be placed on the first syllable of the spoken words.
- The letter S is aspirated when it is at the end of the word, almost disappearing. This, in most cases, resembles an H.
- Depending on the sociocultural level of the speaker, the aspirated S can undergo variations since many times it can be pronounced as sh.
-
Andean Spanish. It is used in the Sierra Region. Many foreigners tend to compare it with the Mexican Chilango Spanish. Its main characteristics are:
- It tends to have many idioms taken from the Kichwa language, the most widespread indigenous language in this region.
- Use the voseo, that is, the use of you instead of your, especially in the language more colloquial and family.
- It has different sub-dialects:
- Central Andean dialect. It has variations depending on the ethnicity and social class of the speaker. It extends from the province of Imbabura to Chimborazo.
- Lojano dialect. It has a neutral intonation and is spoken in the provinces of Loja, Chinchipe, the upper area of El Oro and Zamora.
- Pastuso dialect. It has similarities with Colombian dialects spoken in Nariño and is only used in the province of Carchi.
- Morlaco dialect. It has an intonation similar to a song, due to its own accentuation. It is spoken in the provinces of Cañar and Azuay.
-
Amazon Spanish. It is used in the Amazon Region. It is a variant of Spanish that resembles the Ecuadorian Andean dialect. Its main characteristics are:
- It is a mixture of the indigenous serrano that is spoken in the central area of the country and Morlaco.
- The use of the your conjugated with the verb in the third person.
Examples of Costeño Spanish words
- Caleta: home.
- Cane: jail.
- Childish: rich.
- Posi: correct, affirmative, positive.
- Lamp: something unrealistic, liar.
- Countryman: person from the mountains.
- Paco: policeman.
- Sheath: annoyance, annoyance, setback.
- Bigwig: money person.
- Shuffle: leave a place.
Examples of Andean Spanish words
- Atatay: denotes disgust or aversion.
- Achachay: exclamation that expresses a feeling of cold.
- Longo: homeless or young, depending on the context.
- Suco: blond or blonde.
- monkey: coastal.
- Visage: to lie.
- Catch: understand.
- Lock: security, police.
- Llucho: naked.
- Elder brother: brother.
- Bus: kid.
- Mashi: friend.
Examples of Amazonian Spanish words
- Guinguiringongo: childish games.
- Tuco: strong.
- Bare: kid.
- Peeled: girl.
- Chub: lie.
- Paco: policeman.
- Cucayo: edible that is carried on trips.
- Púchica: exclamation that expresses admiration before something very big.
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