Contato linguístico entre as línguas terena e portuguesa: observações sobre a Aldeia Moreira, no Mato Grosso do Sul

Abstract

This work discusses the contact between the Portuguese language and the terena Indigenous language. The objective is to identify and analyze words that came from Portuguese and were introduced and adapted by terena speakers in their daily lives. The research was carried out through the observation of family conversations and interviews with people who speak the terena language. During the study, it was possible to notice that many words related to technology and modern objects were introduced and changed to fit the phonology of the Indigenous language. The results show that contact with Portuguese brought new words to the terena vocabulary and that this is part of a process of linguistic adaptation. It is concluded that these changes show the strength and creativity of the t okerena people, who continue to keep their language alive even under the strong influence of a dominant language.