Definition

1. Noun:
   • The Quechuan language: A family of indigenous languages spoken primarily in the Andes of South America, historically associated with the Inca Empire. It refers to the language or group of languages spoken by the Quechua peoples.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Quechuan language has several dialects.
  • Scholars study the grammar of the Quechuan language.
  • Preservation efforts are important for the Quechuan language.

Advanced Usage

• In linguistic contexts: The term is used to discuss the linguistic features, historical development, or classification within the Quechuan language family.
  • The paper analyzes vowel harmony in the Quechuan language.

Variants and Related Words

• Quechua: Often used synonymously to refer to the language or the people.
• Quechuan: Can function as an adjective (e.g., Quechuan dialects) or, less commonly, as a noun for the language.
• Runasimi: The native name for the Quechuan language, meaning "people's speech".

Synonyms

• Quechua
• Quichua (a variant spelling)

Notes on Meaning

• The term "Quechuan language" specifically denotes the language system. It is distinct from referring to the Quechua people (the ethnic group) or Quechuan as an adjective describing things related to those people or their language.
• It encompasses a language family, not a single standardized language, meaning there are multiple related but distinct varieties.

Noun

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