Boran languages

Boran (also known as Bora–Muinane, Bora–Muiname, Bóran, Miranyan, Miranya, Bórano) is a small language family, consisting of just two languages.

Boran
Bora–Muinane
Geographic distribution	northwestern Amazon
Linguistic classification	One of the world's primary language families (Bora–Witoto?)
Subdivisions	Bora Muinane
Language codes
Glottolog	bora1262

Languages

The two Boran languages are:

• Boran
  • Bora (a.k.a. Bora–Miranya, Boro, Meamuyna) of western Brazil (Amazonas State)
  • Muinane (a.k.a. Bora Muinane, Muinane Bora, Muinani, Muename) of southwestern Colombia (Amazonas Department)

Loukotka (1968) also lists Nonuya, a Witotoan language, spoken at the sources of the Cahuinari River, as a Boran language. As of 1964, only a few words had been documented.

Synonymy

• The name Muinane has been used to refer to the Muinane language (Bora Muinane) of the Boran family and also to the Nipode language (Witoto Muinane) of the Witotoan family.

Genetic relations

Aschmann (1993) proposed that the Boran and Witotoan language families were related, in a Bora–Witoto stock. Echeverri & Seifart (2016) refute the connection.

Language contact

Jolkesky (2016) notes that there are lexical similarities with the Choko, Guahibo, Tukano, Witoto-Okaina, Yaruro, Arawak, and Tupi language families due to contact in the Caquetá River basin region.

An automated computational analysis (ASJP 4) by Müller et al. (2013) found lexical similarities with Arawakan (especially the Resigaro language in particular) due to contact.

Vocabulary

Loukotka (1968) lists the following basic vocabulary items.

gloss	Bora	Imihitä	Muinane
one	dzonére	tenétogüné	sánótro
two	miniékeʔe	mibákö	minóke
head	mée-níguoe	mé-eníkoae	nígai
eye	ma-ádzik	ma-átxe	adíge
tooth	mée-goaxé	me-kuáxe	ígaino
man	guáxpi	koaxpí	gáife
water	néspakio	nögʔbögʔkó	negfuáyu
fire	köxögua	kixúgua	köxögai
sun	nöʔögbwa	nöxbá	neʔegbua
maize	öxeʔe	öxehu	bédya
jaguar	oíbe	ouíbe	höku

Proto-language

Proto-Bora–Muinane
Reconstruction of	Boran languages

Proto-Bora–Muinane reconstructions by Seifart and Echeverri (2015):

Proto-Bora–Muinane reconstructions by Seifart and Echeverri (2015)

no. gloss Proto-Bora-Muinane 1 tongue *nehe 2 mouth *i-hɨ 3 lip *hɨni-ba 4 tooth *iʔgai 5 nose *tɨhɨ-ʔu 6 eye *aʤɨ-ɨ 7 ear *nɨ()-meeʔu 8 head *niga-ɨ 9 forehead *ɨme-ku 10 hair *-hee- 12 beard *hɨkk() 14 chest *ppeeɨ-he 15 woman's breast *mɨppaino 16 abdomen *iiʔba 18 shoulder *hɨhe-ba 19 arm *nokkɨ-gai 21 elbow *()o()i 22 hand *ʔutʦe 23 finger *ʔutʦe-gai 24 fingernail *ʔutʦe-gai-meeʔu 27 knee *memu 29 foot *ttɨʔaai 30 toe *ttɨ-gaai 31 skin *meeʔo 32 bone *bakkɨ 33 blood *tɨɨ 34 heart *heebɨ-ɨ 35 lungs *βaβa-ga 38 man *m()a-mɨnaa-ppi 39 man *gai-ppi 40 woman *gai-go 41 people *m()a-mɨnaa 42 husband *tahe 43 wife *taaba 44 father *giʔiru, kaani 45 mother *gaʔa-ro, *ʦeehɨ 46 baby, infant *ʦeemono 47 old man *amia 48 water *nɨ-ppai()u 49 river *too-ʔi, *muuai 52 swamp *kaaha 56 fire *kɨɨhɨ-gai 57 ash *bai-giihɨ 58 charcoal *kɨɨhɨgai- 60 firewood *kuu 61 sky *nikko-he 62 rain *niiha-ba 64 sun *nɨʔba 65 moon *nɨʔba 66 star *meekɨrɨ-gai 67 day *kuuhe 68 night *pokku 69 thunder *ʦitʦi 71 rainbow *tɨɨ-ʔi 72 earth *hiinɨ-he 74 sand *n()gai-jɨʔai 75 house *ha 77 doorway *gooʔu-ga 78 seat, stool *ikka-ga 79 mat *kɨga- 80 hammock *gaaiba 81 bed *kɨga- 82 cooking pot *giri-ʔʤu 83 cultivated clearing *gaikkuʔai 84 village *kuumii 85 path, trail *hɨɨ- 86 fish net *ʦ()nɨkuʔu 87 fish hook *piikkɨ-gai 88 steel axe *hɨgaa-he 89 knife *n()ʦ()-ga- 90 canoe *meeno 91 paddle *buʔdu-ga 92 club *gai-ʔuɨ 93 spear *aamɨ- 94 bow *tɨɨbu-ga 95 arrow *tɨɨbu- 96 blowgun *gitʦɨ-hɨ 99 puma *tɨpai-ʔuu() 100 armadillo *gooɨ 101 dog *ʔuuʔi 102 red deer *niiβɨ-gai 103 bat *kikiih() 104 otter *ʦukku 105 cebus, monkey *kɨʔʤiba 107 spider monkey *kɨɨmɨ 109 anteater *heehɨ, *tuuʔhe 110 paca *takkɨ 111 crocodile *niʔba, *m()ʔduba 112 iguana *maaina-ʔu 115 collared peccary *mooni 116 white-lipped peccary *paapaiba 117 agouti *pattɨ 118 rat *giʔpo 119 cat *miiʧii 120 mouse *giʔpo 121 tail *bu 122 snake *hiinimo 123 anaconda, water boa *buua, *iigai- 124 rattlesnake *taakaʔo 125 coral snake *ʧiraagai 126 toad *hakuga, ()ɨɨriʔi, nihaga, mɨɨʔmeba, haakkɨba 128 hummingbird *paaibe 129 macaw *heeβaa, *in()ʔai 130 toucan *nɨgo 133 buzzard *ainɨ 134 curassow *kɨga- 136 guan *peeka-he 137 hen *ka()a()a 139 piranha *gaikku-he, *nitta 142 flea *hɨɨku-ga 143 louse *gaaini-ʔu 144 mosquito *gaaihɨ 145 termite *maʔarɨ 146 ant *piimo 147 spider *paaga- 148 jigger (Tunga penetrans) *niipahe 149 bush *bahɨ 150 open grassland *namettɨhe, *ʦukkum()he 151 hill *gahɨɨ, *baaɨɨ 152 tree *ɨmo-ʔo 153 leaf *aame 154 tree leaf *-ʔaame 158 root *ba(i)(k)ko- 159 seed *batʦu- 160 stick ɨmoo-ʔi 161 grass *ʦukkume-he 163 cassava (bread) *máaʔu 165 tobacco *baino 166 cotton *haʔdi 167 gourd *duutu 168 yam *kɨnii- 170 annatto *nooba-ba 171 chili pepper *dee-ʔuɨ 172 coca *hiibii- 173 banisterium *bakko 174 plantain *ɨhe- 175 chonta palm *moomo 179 salt *ɨmo 180 chicha (of peach palm fruits) *moomo-ba 181 one *ʦaa-no 182 two *mi-no-kɨ 185 five *sa-ʔutʦe 191 first *ttɨkkonɨ 192 last *niiʔnoo- 194 drum *kɨɨmɨ-ba 196 ear ornament *nɨhɨ-ga 197 mask *maaʔnii 198 medicine man *taabu-mɨnaa-ppi 199 chief *aiβohɨɨ-bo 200 I *uu 201 thou *ɨɨ 202 he *aanɨɨ, *dii-bo 203 she *aaimoo, *dii-go 204 it *haa-no 205 we *mɨɨʔai 206 ye *amɨɨai 207 they *dii-to 208 my hand *tai-ʔutʦe 209 thy hand *dii-ʔutʦe 210 his hand *dii-bo-ʔutʦe 211 our hands *mo-ʔutʦe-no 212 your hands *amɨɨʔai ʔutʦe-no 213 their hands *diito ʔutʦe-no 214 my bow *tai-tɨɨbu-ga 215 thy bow *dii-tɨɨbu-ga 216 his bow *dii-bo tɨɨbu-ga 217 our bow *mo-tɨɨbu-ga 218 your bow *amɨɨʔai tɨɨbu-ga 219 their bow *dii-to tɨɨbu-ga 220 big *mita-no, *giraa 221 small *nume- 222 cold *ʦɨɨku 223 hot *aiguukku 224 good *imi 225 bad *imi-tɨ-no 226 white *ʦeʦee 227 black *kɨβo- 228 go! *di-po 229 come! *di-ʦaa 230 eat! *matʧu 231 drink! *d-aduu 232 sleep! *kɨga 234 front teeth, incisors *iiʔgai-noo 235 tip of tongue *nehe-()-nih()kk() 236 long hair *niiga 240 lower arm *nokkɨ- 241 wrist *ʔutʦe-kkohe 242 lower leg *takki- 243 body hair *iʔhee-no 244 stomach *iiʔba 245 intestines *iiʔba 246 old woman *koomo-go 249 corn field *gaikkuʔai, *-pagi 250 stream *too-ʔi 251 pebbles *n()gai-ɨʔai 253 path *hɨɨ()ai 255 shelter *nɨɨh()-ga 256 this *hi- 257 that *hoʔ- 258 who *mɨ-, *ka- 260 not *ʦaʔa, *-tɨ 261 all *pa-no 262 many *mita- 263 long *kaamo- 264 bark *-meeʔu 265 flesh *ʔookuu, *duu 266 blood *tɨɨ- 267 grease *dɨɨrɨ-ba 268 egg *iiʔɨ 269 horn *-ttu 270 feather *i-hee-no 271 claw *ʔutʦe-gai-meeʔu 272 belly *iiʔba 273 liver *iʔganoo 274 drink *adu 275 eat (non meat) *matʧu 276 bite *eeʔdu- 277 see *aittɨme 278 hear *goobu- 279 know *gaaha 280 sleep *kɨga 281 die *gihe-βo 282 kill *gɨhe-βo-ʦu 283 swim *itʦi 284 fly *gaʔpo 285 walk *ɨgo, *poo 286 come *ʦaa- 290 give *akkɨ 291 say *hɨɨb()go, *noo 293 mountain *gahɨɨ, *baaɨɨ 294 red *tɨ-ppai-no 295 green *aittɨβa 296 yellow *gi() 297 full *gaʔpo 298 new *boʔ-no 301 name *momo 302 how *mɨʔ()ɨ 305 here *hi-noo-ri 306 there *oo-no 307 other *ʦi-ppi 309 fog *tʦu- 310 flow *niiβa 311 sea *muuai 312 wet *peepai-no, *maa- 313 wash *nittɨ- 314 worm *hɨʔba 316 fur *iʔhe- 318 saliva *hɨɨ- 319 milk *mɨppaino-ppai()u 320 with *-ma 321 in *paino 322 at *-βɨ 323 if *-ʔatʧiihɨ 327 child *ʦee-mo-no 328 dark *kɨβo- 330 wide *kare- 331 narrow *iihe 334 thick *peeme 335 thin *ɨtʦi-, aini- 336 short *baaʔr()-no 338 dull *ʦɨɨʔhe-βa-tɨ-no 339 sharp *ʦɨɨhe-βa 340 dirty *hiinɨ-βa-, beeβa- 341 rotten *tuukɨ- 342 smooth *p()rɨɨkɨ-, *mooβa- 343 straight *ʦa-tɨkko-βo 344 correct *m()aa- 345 left *nani- 346 right *()m()a- 347 old *ʦɨk()-, *koomo- 349 pull *giiɨkɨ 351 throw *piku 352 hit *iʤaaju 353 split *ga()er()- 354 pierce *kapaitɨ-ɨ()ɨ-nɨ 355 dig *ʦooʔdi 356 tie *ʦitʦɨ, *duʔhe-nɨ 358 fall *aak()()o- 359 swell *huuri- 360 think *etʦam()i- 361 sing *matʦi-βa 362 smell *hɨgikk(), *utʦu 365 blow *ebaʦu-, buuʦu- 366 fear *igi 367 squeeze *aamɨ-ʦu 368 hold *ikka 369 down *giino, baa-ri 370 up *kamo 371 ripe *naamo- 372 dust *-giihɨ 373 alive *buʔee- 374 rope *gaaiba-ɨ 375 year *pi(k)kaba 378 diminutive *-g()ɨ 379 big river *muuai 380 longhouse *baa-(ʔ)o-ha 382 stone axe *hɨgaa-he 383 machete *n()ʦ()ga 384 deer *hiibai 385 macaw (blue) *in()ʔai 386 ant (conga) *tɨɨp()-megai 387 bitter manioc (plant) *peeka 388 push ?*ká()()()ʔaaku 389 find *áittɨme 390 get ill *dɨʔkɨ 391 squeeze manioc dough *gáirɨɨʔaiɲɨ 392 germinate *ííno 394 scream *kóóβádííkku, *gái()a 395 keep *toomo- 398 make *móónɨ 401 cry *taa 402 order, command *gáʤúu, *táhɨɨʔba 403 get wet *máa-, *péépai- 406 manicuera, manioc *paikuumɨɨ 407 be born *pííβo 408 urinate *níppai 410 fart *nobú 412 ask *díʤu 413 taste *nɨtʦu 414 stay *pítá() 417 want *ím()-go-, gáihɨ-, káβa- 418 grate *kaʦu 426 alone *i()-ro 427 dream *tɨga 429 sweat *tugaa 431 be hungry áih()ba 434 itch *áhé 435 roast *garééku, ʦúʔkúʦu- 437 bring *ʦ()βa 440 pay a visit *ba 441 grassland *namettɨhe 442 yesterday *ííhɨ 444 inside *paino 445 soft, tender *paiβoo 446 happy *im() 447 bitter *paapai 448 fast *góóβá 450 blind *ái()ɨme-tɨ 451 dock, port *mɨkku 454 face *ɨme 456 basket *hɨβiiba 458 foam ?*hɨ()aʔʦ() 461 middle *pééno 462 thorn *hanoo-tto 463 tall *káamo 464 palm, Oenocarpus bataua *kúume 465 medicine *táábú 467 later on *buun() 468 a lot *giraa- 469 behind *dóhɨku 471 full *gaʔpo 474 peanuts *máʦakka 475 yard, court (of maloca) *g()-ʔátʦ() 476 crested oropendola *héékkɨ 477 manioc starch drink *kaʔgɨnɨku 478 arrive *gátʦe- 479 oil *dɨɨrɨ-ba- 482 sifter *níttɨ-ba 484 spicy *áiβo 489 dancing festival *hɨɨbaimo 491 manioc squeezer *gádameeʔu 492 mirror *méékɨme 494 son *ʔatʧi 495 we two *mɨʦi, *mɨpe 496 you two *amɨʦi, *amɨpe 497 they two (m.) *dii-t()-ʦi 498 they two (f.) *dii-t()-pe 499 her *i- 500 eat meat *duu 501 weave *nɨɨ 502 lick *neheʔku 503 healing blow *hɨbu 504 downriver *aam()hɨ 506 wake up *aikko 507 fireplace *kɨɨhɨgai 508 sieve *níttɨba 509 dancing beam *ʤari-ga 510 caimito fruit (Pouteria caimito) *mɨʦééʦe 511 palm, Socratea exorrhiza *háaʤa 512 leaves that produce black color *kaatɨ 513 peach palm (Bactris gasipaes) *moomo 514 Cecropia sp. *taaβi-ʔo 515 macambo fruit (Theobroma bicolor) *haaʔo 518 Inga edulis *tɨɨʦi-ʔo 519 ceramic saucepan *hɨgo-ba 520 uvilla fruit (Pourouma cecropiaefolia) *báaku 521 rifle *áinɨ-hɨ 522 palm, Astrocaryum chambira *nehe 523 umarí fruit (Poraqueiba sericea) *niimɨ 525 edible ant *m()níiko 526 avocado (Persea americana) *kúúhɨ 527 edible larvae *áppai-ku 529 grater *kaʦu 530 miriti palm (Mauritia flexuosa) *íno-ʔo 532 pillars (of roundhouse) *-ʔakkɨ 533 Lepidocaryum tenue palm (for thatching roofs) *háhe 534 eat fruit *geen() 535 chew coca *dooikkɨ 536 feces *namo 539 drown *mákká-nɨ 541 pull out *gáihúkku 542 get scared *ígi 543 shame *n()kúppé-go- 544 dance *gaʔʦe 547 hunt *taaβa 549 cook *tɨ 550 catch *ɨkkɨ 551 tell, narrate *hɨɨb()go 553 cut *βɨrɨ 554 shoot *ainɨ 556 get drunk *gírííká-βo- 557 woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha) *kɨmɨ 558 sweet *naamo 560 masculine (suffix) *-bo 562 conjure *apiiʧu, *ʤɨɨ()a-nɨ

Bibliography

• Aschmann, Richard P. (1993). Proto Witotoan. Publications in linguistics (No. 114). Arlington, TX: SIL & the University of Texas at Arlington.
• Campbell, Lyle. (1997). American Indian languages: The historical linguistics of Native America. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-509427-1.
• Echeverri, Juan Alvaro & Frank Seifart. (2016). Proto-Witotoan: A re-evaluation of the distant genealogical relationship between the Boran and Witotoan linguistic families.
• Kaufman, Terrence. (1990). Language history in South America: What we know and how to know more. In D. L. Payne (Ed.), Amazonian linguistics: Studies in lowland South American languages (pp. 13–67). Austin: University of Texas Press. ISBN 0-292-70414-3.
• Kaufman, Terrence. (1994). The native languages of South America. In C. Mosley & R. E. Asher (Eds.), Atlas of the world's languages (pp. 46–76). London: Routledge.
• Thiesen, W.; Thiesen, E. (1998). Diccionario: Bora - Castellano, Castellano - Bora. (Serie Lingüística Peruana, 46). Pucallpa: Summer Institute of Linguistics.
• Walton, J. W.; Walton, J. P.; Pakky de Buenaventura, C. (1997). Diccionario bilingüe muinane-español, español-muinane. Santafé de Bogotá: Editorial Alberto Lleras Camargo.