- published: 26 Oct 2015
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The Nheengatu language ([ɲɛʔẽŋaˈtu] in original Tupi pronunciation), often spelled Nhengatu, is an Amerindian language of a Tupi–Guarani family. It is also known by the Portuguese names língua geral da Amazônia and língua geral amazônica, both meaning "Amazonian General Language," or even by the Latin lingua brasilica (Brazilian Language). Nheengatu originated in northern Brazil in the 17th century as a lingua franca. Now known as nheengatu (also nhengatu, nyengatú, língua geral, geral, yeral), it is still spoken along the Rio Negro in northern Brazil (as well as in neighboring Colombia and Venezuela).
There are perhaps around 8,000 Nheengatu speakers according to The Ethnologue (2005) (Rohter (2005) gives a much larger number); the language has recently regained some recognition and prominence after having been suppressed for many years. It is spoken in the Upper Rio Negro region of Amazonas state, in the Brazilian Amazon, and in neighboring portions of Colombia and Venezuela. It is the native language of the area's rural population, and it is also used as a common language of communication between Indians and non-Indians, and between Indians from different tribes. Its use is also a way for some of the native peoples who have lost their original languages to affirm their ethnic identity, as in the case of the Barés, the Arapaços, and others. In 2003, it gained the status of official language alongside Portuguese in São Gabriel da Cachoeira.
Komm und tritt ein
Langsam in den Neonschein.
Was die dunkle Nacht verspricht,
Findet sich im Neonlicht.
Komm, komm, komm.
Rot, rot, so rot
strahlt der Neongott.
Er macht deine Augen weich,
Zeichnet Licht und Schatten gleich.
Neongott, Neongott.
Komm,komm es tut gut,
Denn die heiße Neonglut
Löscht die bittren Zweifel aus,
Wird ein bunter Traum daraus.
Neongott, Neongott.
Wenn er seinen Mantel nimmt,
Bist du ausgebrannt und blind.