Evidence For A Chibcha-Jê Connection

Abstract

This paper identifies and discusses seventeen grammatical morphemes and a number of basic lexical roots that correspond in Chibchan and Macro-Jê languages. Chibchan languages are spoken across a region stretching from Honduras in the west to Venezuela in the east. Macro-Jê is one of the major phylogenetic units of Lowland South America, where the modern languages are all spoken south of the Amazon. The Chibchan and Macro-Jê forms discussed here reflect regular sound correspondences and, additionally, include shared idiosyncrasies, such as corresponding suppletion. This suggests the existence of a genealogical relationship between both language groups.