Quechua
Quechua
Quechua (/ˈkɛtʃuə/, /ˈkɛtʃwɑː/; Spanish: [ˈketʃwa]), also known as runa simi ("people's language"), is an indigenous language family spoken by the Quechua peoples, primarily living in the Andes and highlands of South America. Derived from a common ancestral language, it is the most widely spoken pre-Columbian language family of the Americas, with a total of probably some 8–10 million speakers.
Etymology
The term Quechua comes from the self-designation of the Runa people. The word "Quechua" was originally used by the Incas to refer to all people who spoke the language of the empire, the "language of the people" or "runa simi". The term has been used in English since the early 19th century.
Pronunciation
In English, Quechua is pronounced as /ˈkɛtʃuə/ or /ˈkɛtʃwɑː/. In Spanish, it is pronounced as [ˈketʃwa].
Related Terms
- Inca Empire: The Inca Empire, also known as the Incan Empire and the Inka Empire, was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America. The administrative, political and military center of the empire was located in the city of Cusco.
- Runa Simi: Runa Simi is a term in the Quechua language that means "people's language". It is often used as a synonym for Quechua.
- Andes: The Andes or Andean Mountains are the longest continental mountain range in the world. They are a continual range of highlands along the western edge of South America.
- Highlands: Highlands or uplands are any mountainous region or elevated mountainous plateau.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Quechua
- Wikipedia's article - Quechua
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