Kichwa language

Kichwa
Kichwa Shimi, Runa Shimi
Native toEcuador, Colombia, Peru
EthnicityQuechua
Native speakers
450,000 (2008–2012)[1]
Quechuan
Official status
Recognised minority
language in
Language codes
ISO 639-3Variously:
inb – Inga
inj – Jungle Inga
qvo – Napo Lowland
qup – Southern Pastaza
qud – Calderón Highland
qxr – Cañar Highland
qug – Chimborazo Highland
qvi – Imbabura Highland
qvj – Loja Highland
qvz – Northern Pastaza
qxl – Salasaca Highland
quw – Tena Lowland
Glottologcolo1257
ELP
Distribution of the Kichwa language.
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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.

  1. ^ Inga at Ethnologue (24th ed., 2021) Closed access icon
    Jungle Inga at Ethnologue (24th ed., 2021) Closed access icon
    Napo Lowland at Ethnologue (24th ed., 2021) Closed access icon
    Southern Pastaza at Ethnologue (24th ed., 2021) Closed access icon
    Calderón Highland at Ethnologue (24th ed., 2021) Closed access icon
    Cañar Highland at Ethnologue (24th ed., 2021) Closed access icon
    (Additional references under 'Language codes' in the information box)