Guarayu language

Guarayu (Guarayú: Gwarayú, nyanyanye, ñañañe, guarani'ete) is a Tupian language of Bolivia that is spoken by the Guarayo people who number 23,910 in 2012.

The name Guarayu (Gwarayú) is a variant of Guarayo, which when used in a pejorative sense refers to several indigenous peoples in the area with the meaning of 'savage' or 'uncultured'.

The origin of the names is Guara meaning "warrior", and yu "pale" (yellow or white). Compared to other Guarani peoples, the Gwarayú are lighter in colour, and bear a striking resemblance to another Guarani group found in Paraguay the Ache.

There were some 30 speakers of Guarayu in Paraguay as of 2012.

Phonology

 * are heard as allophones of when in nasal vowel position.