Ticuna (Duü̱ügu)

Ticuna is a language isolate spoken in parts of Brazil, Colombua and Peru by about 41,000 people. Ticuna is possibly related to the extinct Yuri language, which was spoken along the Caquetá River in Brazil. Ticuna is also known as Magta, Maguta, Tucuna, Tukuna,and Tukna.

Ticuna is also known as Tikuna, Tucuna, Tukuna, Magta or Maguta. Native speakers call it Duü̱ügu.

In Brazil Ticuna is written with the Latin alphabet using a spelling system developed by the Fundação Nacional dos Povos Indígenas (FUNAI - National Indigenous People Foundation) and the Ministry of Education. A slightly different spelling system is used in Peru.

Ticuna is taught as a subject in schools in Brazil, and also used as a medium of instruction. There is also some literature in Ticuna based on traditional stories. Ticuna has also been used in schools in Peru since the 1960s.

Ticuna alphabet

Ticuna alphabet

Ticuna is a tonal language with 5 tones which are not always indicated in writing.

Download an alphabet chart for Ticuna (Excel)
Details of the Ticuna alphabet provided by Wolfram Siegel

Sample text in Ticuna

Ngẽxguma nabuxgu i duü̃xü̃gü rü guxü̃ma nawüxigu, rü tataxuma ya texé ya togüarü yexera ixĩsẽ. Rü guxü̃ma naxããẽgü rü ngẽmaca̱x rü name nixĩ na nügümaã namecümaxü̃ ĩ guxü̃ma ĩ duü̃xü̃gü.

Translation

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Sample videos

Links

Information about the Ticuna language
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ticuna_language
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idioma_ticuna
https://www.sil.org/resources/search/language/tca

Language isolates

Adaizan, Ainu, Basque, Burushaski, Candoshi-Shapra, Chitimacha, Eskayan, Hadza, Haida, Karuk, Kawésqar, Keres, Kuot, Kusunda, Kutenai, Natchez, Nihali, Nivkh, Páez, Purepecha, Sandawe, Seri, Sumerian, Tartessian, Ticuna, Tiwi, Tonkawa, Tunica, Urarina, Waorani, Wardaman, Washo, Yaghan, Yuchi/Euchee, Zuni

Languages written with the Latin alphabet

Page last modified: 15.01.24

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