This paper describes the extensive tense/evidentiality system of Mamaindê, a northern Nambikwara language of Brazil. This morphological system performs a dual function in Mamaindê, that of marking tense as well as indicating information source. First, each of the six evidentials are discussed in detail, followed by a section on the use of evidentials as ‘extensions’ with secondary semantic properties. After comments regarding the possible origins of this particular morphological category, a comparative section highlights the similarities and differences between the various evidential systems discovered thus far in the Nambikwara family, as well as some parallels with evidentiality within other Amazonian languages. The systems most similar to Mamaindê are those found in Lakondê, a northern Nambikwara language ( Telles & Wetzels 2006 ), Tariana, an Arawak language ( Aikhenvald 2004 : 60) and Tuyuca, East Tucanoan ( Payne 1997 : 256–7). The paper closes with a short commentary on the possible connections between Mamaindê evidentials and Mamaindê culture. The overall result of this research is a comprehensive presentation of the Mamaindê evidential system, and an assessment of how it fits into a cross-linguistic picture of evidentiality.

This chapter describes evidentiality as it is expressed within the Nambikwara language family of west central Brazil, a loosely related affiliation of seventeen language communities living close to the Brazil-Bolivia border. This overview limits its scope to the four varieties where evidentiality has been documented (Mamaindê, Lakondê, Sabanê, and a generic variety of Southern Nambikwara). All four of these languages share several traits that could be considered characteristics of Nambikwara evidential systems. These are: a large set of evidentials (between four and eight); sets that include inferred and reported; forms that link evidentials and tense; and the use of ‘multiple perspective’ as a way of referencing the singular or plural nature of the ‘knower’. It is this latter trait that constitutes the most salient feature of evidentiality within the family as a whole, one that deserves further attention.

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Neste artigo descreve-se o sistema de classificadores nominais na língua mamaindê, no Centro-Oeste brasileiro. Esta língua pertence ao subgrupo Guaporé dentro do conjunto Nambikwara do Norte, na família linguística Nambikwara. Esta família se espalha pelo norte e oeste do estado de Mato Grosso, na divisa com a Rondônia. Esta língua utiliza uma morfologia altamente polissintética, como o sistema de classificadores nominais sendo um excelente exemplo dessa riqueza. Após uma breve descrição da comunidade e da família linguística, identifica-se três funções para os classificadores nominais na língua mamaindê, são elas: 1) modificadores nominais; 2) substitutos anafóricos; e 3) nominalizadores verbais. Os exemplos dados de cada função mostram a natureza ampla e produtiva desta classe morfológica. Na última seção, a natureza metafórica dos classificadores nominais nos fornece uma ótica para melhor entender as categorias semânticas e a cosmovisão desta comunidade linguística.

The loss of a minority group’s language may or may not be accompanied by the loss of the same group’s identity. This study explores the factors that appear to condition identity choices among minority communities. A number of language communities in advanced stages of language shift are chosen as case studies. Based on these case studies, a framework is proposed that organizes the factors involved in group identity choices into either language internal or language ecology factors, each with their own set of relevant characteristics. The benefit of this new approach over previous explanations is its ability to describe identity choices from a wide array of motivations. Such a framework will facilitate future researchers considering this question, providing them with a roadmap to navigate the various identity options.