- Murui Huitoto
language
name=Murui Huitoto
nativename=
states=Colombia ,Perú
speakers=2,900 (1995 SIL)
familycolor=American
fam1=Witotoan
fam2=Huitoto-Ocaina
fam3=Early Witoto (Witoto Proper)
fam4=Mɨnɨca-Murai
iso2=huu|iso3=huuMurui Huitoto - or simply Murui (also known as Bue and Witoto) is an indigenous American Huitoto language of the Witotoan family spoken by 2,900 of indigenous people in western South America alongside the Ampiyacu, Putumayo, and Napo rivers. [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=huu Ethnologue report for language code:huu ] ]
Though approximately 95% of Murui-speakers under the age of 40 are literate, and between 20 and 25% read and write in Spanish, fewer than 1% read and write in Murui.
Approximately 1,000 Perúvians use Murui in both its written and oral forms. The language is accorded official status and is used in schools. It is also used in churches. There are no Murui-an monolinguals in Peru: speakers of the language who do not also use another language.
The language has 1,900 speakers in southwestern Colombia where it has higher social utility and standing.
It was formerly spoken in
Brazil as well, but is now extinct in that country.When written it uses the Roman Script. A dictionary and grammar rules have been developed.
Notes
External links
* [http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=huu Ethnologue]
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