Ecuador
The Languages spoken in Ecuador
Spanish is the official language of the country, spoken by around 93% of the population. Almost 7% of the total populace converse only Quichua, a language of the Quechua.
Other existing languages in the country include:
- Achuar-Shiwiar – an American Jivaroan dialect spoken in the Huasaga, Macusari, Morona, Tigre and Corrientes rivers in Perú and also recognized as Achual, Achuale, Achuar, Achuara, Jivaro, and Maina;
- Cha’palaachi – a Barbacoan dialect spoken in north coastal jungle, Cayapas River and Esmeraldas Province and also identified as Chachi or Cayapa;
- Cofán – dialect of the Cofán individuals, and also known as Kofán, A'i, Kofane, A'ingae.
- Colorado – a Barbacoan dialect spoken in Northwestern jungle west of Quito, in the vicinity of Santo Domingo de los Colorados;
- Cuaiquer – also known as Awa, Awapit and spoken in Colombia-Ecuador boundary, Carchi Province;
- Kichwa – also called Spanish Quichua and according to Alfredo Torero, it comes from the Northern Quechua troupes of Quechua II;
- Secoya – a Western Tucanoan dialect and spoken in Peru and by Secoya individuals;
- Shuar – also known as Jivaro, Xivaro, Jibaro, Chiwaro, Shuara and spoken in Southeastern jungle and Morona-Santiago Province;
- Siona – a Tucanoan dialect and spoken in Putumayo River;
- Teteté – an extinct Tucanoan dialect that was spoken in the eastern jungle of Cofán part and close to the Colombian border;
- Waorani – also known as Auca, Huaorani, Huao, Sabela, Waodani, spoken in Eastern jungle between the Napo and Curaray rivers; and
- Ecuadorian Sign Language – a deaf sign language.
