| Timótean | |
|---|---|
| Geographic distribution | Venezuela |
| Linguistic classification | Timotean |
| Subdivisions | |
| Language codes | |
| Glottolog | timo1263 |
 Timote and Cuicatoponyms | |
TheTimotean languages were spoken in theVenezuelan Andes around what is nowMérida. It is assumed that they are extinct. However, Timote may survive in the so-far unattestedMutú (Loco) language, as this occupies a mountain village (Mutús) within the old Timote state.[1][2]
There is no apparent connection to the Chibchan, Arawakan, or Cariban families, apart from sporadic resemblances withPaez and some divergent Chibchan languages, so Timotean appears to be an independent family.
Jolkesky (2016) also notes that there are lexical similarities with theJirajaran languages.[3]
There were two closely related languages, each a pair of dialects:
Traditionally, Mucuchí and Mirripú have been classified as dialects of Timote, with Cuica as a distinct language, but the data in Loukotka (1968)[4] indicates that Cuica is a dialect of Timote, and that Mucuchí–Mirripú are a separate language (Kaufman 2007; Campbell 1997, 2012).
Loukotka (1968) lists the following basic vocabulary items for Timotean languages.[4]
| gloss | Timote | Cuica | Mocochi | Mirripú |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| one | kári | karí | karí | karí |
| two | gem | xem | xem | xem |
| three | shuént | shuent | shut | sut |
| head | ki-kushám | ki-kushan | kisham | |
| ear | ki-kumeu | ki-kumeu | ti-subú | |
| tooth | ki-kunñuch | chi-runch | ||
| man | kiukiai | kiukiai | kaʔak | kage |
| water | shömpú | shombuch | shimpué | shimpú |
| fire | shirup | shnopa | churup | chirup |
| sun | nareúpa | nareupa | umpú | |
| maize | chxá | chxa | chixsak | chipxak |
| bird | kiukchú | kchu | ||
| house | kurakata | kfok | shimanakot | sharakot |