Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Of or relating to the Quechua or their language: Describes something connected to the Quechua people, their culture, or their language.

2. Noun:

   • The language of the Quechua which was spoken by the Incas: Refers specifically to the Quechuan language family, historically used by the Inca Empire and still spoken by millions in South America.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The museum has a collection of Kechuan textiles. (The textiles are from or related to the Quechua culture.)
  • She is studying Kechuan grammar. (She is studying the grammar of the Quechua language.)

• Noun:

  • Kechuan is spoken in several Andean countries. (The Quechua language is spoken in those countries.)
  • He is fluent in Kechuan. (He can speak the Quechua language fluently.)

Advanced Usage

• In linguistic or anthropological contexts: The term is used in academic writing to specify the language family or cultural attributes.
  • The research paper analyzes verb morphology in Kechuan.
• As an endonym: While "Quechua" is more common internationally, "Kechuan" represents a specific transliteration variant.

Variants and Related Words

• Quechua (n/adj): The more common spelling for the people and the language.
• Quechuan (adj/n): A direct synonym.

Synonyms

• Quechuan (adj/n): Of or pertaining to the Quechua; the Quechua language.
• (For the noun: Language) Quechua, Runasimi (the native name meaning "people's speech").

Notes on Usage

• "Kechuan" vs. "Quechua": "Kechuan" is a less common variant. In most modern contexts, "Quechua" is the preferred and more widely recognized term in English for both the people and the language.
• Capitalization: Typically capitalized when referring to the people or language (e.g., Kechuan/Quechuan), similar to other language and ethnic group names (e.g., English, French).

Adjective

1. of or relating to the Quechua or their language

Noun

1. the language of the Quechua which was spoken by the Incas