Zaparoan (also Sáparoan, Záparo, Zaparoano, Zaparoana) is an endangered language family of Peru and Ecuador with fewer than 100 speakers. Zaparoan speakers seem to have been very numerous before the arrival of the Europeans. However, their groups have been decimated by imported diseases and warfare, and only a handful of them have survived. Languages There were 39 Zaparoan-speaking tribes at the beginning of the 20th century, every one of them presumably using its own distinctive language or dialect. Most of them have become extinct before being recorded, however, and we have information only about nine of them. Zaparo group Záparo–Conambo Záparo (a few speakers left) Conambo † Arabela–Andoa Arabela (50 speakers) Andoa † Iquito–Cahuarano Iquito (35 speakers) Cahuarano † Unclassified Aushiri † ? Omurano † Aushiri and Omurano are included by Stark (1985). Aushiri is generally accepted as Zaparoan, but Omurano remains unclassified in other descriptions. Mason (1950) Internal classification of the Zaparoan languages by Mason (1950): Coronado group Coronado (Ipapiza, Hichachapa, Kilinina) Tarokeo Chudavina (?) Miscuara (?) Oa (Oaki, Deguaca, Santa Rosina) Andoa group Andoa Guallpayo Guasaga Murato Gae (Siaviri) Semigae Aracohor Mocosiohor Usicohor Ichocomohor Itoromohor Maithiore Comacor (?) Iquito (Amacacora, Kiturran, Puca-Uma) Iquito Maracana (Cawarano ?) Auve Asaruntoa (?) Záparo group Muegano Curaray Matagen Yasuni Manta Nushino Rotuno Supinu Genetic relations The relationship of zaparoan languages with other language families of the area is uncertain. It is generally considered isolated. Links with other languages or families have been proposed but none has been widely accepted so far. Payne (1984) and Kaufman (1994) suggest a relationship with the Yaguan family in a Sáparo–Yáwan stock, contrary to Greenberg's (1987) classification. Swadesh (1954) also groups Zaparoan with Yaguan within his Zaparo–Peba phylum. Greenberg (1987) places Zaparoan together with the Cahuapanan family into a Kahuapana–Zaparo grouping within his larger Andean phylum, but this is generally rejected by historical linguists. Kaufman (1994) notes that Tovar (1984) includes the unclassified Taushiro under Zaparoan following the tentative opinion of SSILA. Stark (1985) includes the extinct Omurano under Zaparoan. Gordon (2005) follows Stark. Mason (1950: 236–238) groups Bora–Witoto, Tupian, and Zaparoan together as part of a proposed Macro-Tupí-Guaranían family. Language contact Jolkesky (2016) notes that there are lexical similarities with the Omurano, Arawakan, Quechuan, and Peba-Yagua language families due to contact. Family features Pronouns Zaparoan languages distinguishes between inclusive and exclusive we and consider the first person singular as the default person. A rare feature is