Kichwa | |
---|---|
Kichwa Shimi, Runa Shimi | |
Native to | Ecuador, Colombia, Peru |
Ethnicity | Quechua |
Native speakers | 450,000 (2008–2012)[1] |
Quechuan
| |
Official status | |
Recognised minority language in | |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | Variously:inb – Ingainj – Jungle Ingaqvo – Napo Lowlandqup – Southern Pastazaqud – Calderón Highlandqxr – Cañar Highlandqug – Chimborazo Highlandqvi – Imbabura Highlandqvj – Loja Highlandqvz – Northern Pastazaqxl – Salasaca Highlandquw – Tena Lowland |
Glottolog | colo1257 |
ELP | |
![]() Distribution of the Kichwa language. | |
Kichwa (Kichwa shimi, Runashimi, also Spanish Quichua) is a Quechuan language that includes all Quechua varieties of Ecuador and Colombia (Inga), as well as extensions into Peru. It has an estimated half million speakers.
The most widely spoken dialects are Chimborazo, Imbabura and Cañar Highland Quechua, with most of the speakers. Kichwa belongs to the Northern Quechua group of Quechua II, according to linguist Alfredo Torero.