A language vitality survey of Macuxi, Wapichana, and English in Serra da Lua, Roraima (Brazil)

Abstract

Serra da Lua is a multilingual region in the state of Roraima (Brazil) where Macuxi (Carib), Wapichana (Arawak), Brazilian Portuguese and Guyanese English are all spoken. Based on a self-reported language survey we present an assessment of the vitality of the languages spoken in this region and the attitudes of the speakers to-wards these languages. While previous literature has reported the existence of English speakers in this region, the literature does not provide more details about domains of use and the attitudes towards the English language in contrast with Portuguese and the Indigenous languages. This paper helps to address this gap. In sum, the goals of this paper are twofold: first, in light of the results of the survey, to discuss the vitality of the Macuxi and Wapichana languages in the Serra da Lua communities according to the criteria set out by UNESCO’s “Nine Factors” for assessing language vitality; and second, to provide insight about the use of English in this region.