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Glite Dictionary
🧑‍🌾 A native person 🗣️ A native language 🗣️ Related to languages
Tupian

Tupian

9.9
Relating to the family of native languages spoken in South America
  • adjective
: tupiano
  • Researchers have published a new grammar of a Tupian dialect found in the Amazon region.

Examples

  • The Tupian languages are spoken by several indigenous groups in Brazil.

  • Many Tupian words have influenced local place names in South America.

  • The Tupian languages are fascinating to study.

  • Many indigenous tribes speak Tupian dialects.

  • The Tupian languages are spoken by several indigenous groups in Brazil.

  • Researchers have published a new grammar of a Tupian dialect found in the Amazon region.

  • Many Tupian words have influenced local place names in South America.

Surface Forms

Tupian positive

Morphology

Tupian = Tupi (transparent) = Tupi + an

The adjective is a direct derivation from the proper name 'Tupi' with the productive suffix '-an' indicating relation; the meaning is straightforward for learners familiar with the name.

Etymology

Tupian comes from the name Tupi and the ending -an, so it literally means 'from the Tupi'. It is used for things that come from the Tupi people of Brazil, especially their languages.