Tags: Language.
The Nheengatu language (Tupi: [ɲɛʔẽŋaˈtu]) often spelled Nhengatu is an Amerindian language of the 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.