Arawak (Noun)
Meaning 1
A member of a widespread group of Amerindians living in northeastern South America.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- The Arawak people have lived in the Caribbean for thousands of years before the arrival of the Europeans.
- Arawaks were skilled fishermen and skilled navigators, often traveling between the islands of the Caribbean.
- Many Arawaks died from diseases brought by the Spanish, for which they had no immunity.
- The Arawak language family includes many languages spoken by indigenous peoples in South America and the Caribbean.
- Columbus encountered Arawaks during his first voyage to the New World and described them as friendly and welcoming.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Related Words
Meaning 2
A family of South American Indian languages spoken in northeastern South America.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The Arawak language was traditionally spoken in various communities across the Guianas, with several different dialects emerging over time.
- Studies on the Arawak language have provided significant insight into the linguistic history of South America.
- Arawak languages belong to a larger language family that comprises an estimated 40 distinct languages.
- Researchers believe that the Arawak language family has its roots in the southern savannas of present-day Colombia and Venezuela.
- Speakers of the Arawak language in Suriname, French Guiana, and Guyana have managed to preserve their linguistic and cultural heritage despite generations of external influence.