Esmeralda language
# Esmeralda language

Esmeralda, or Esmeraldeño (also called Takame or Atacame), is an extinct language isolate formerly spoken in the coastal region of Ecuador, specifically in the western part of Esmeraldas Province. The only existing data for Atacame was collected by J.M. Pallares in 1877.

## Classification

It has been proposed that the language is connected to the still-spoken Yaruro language of Venezuela. It also has some lexical similarities with the extinct Yurumanguí language, as well with the southern Barbacoan language Tsafiki (especially plant and animal $names).^{:457–458}$

## Vocabulary

Loukotka (1968) lists the following basic vocabulary items.

    glossEsmeralda handdi foottaha manilóm wateruivi starmuʔxabla earthdula dogkine jaguarmutokine snakepiama housekiama boatdiala
