Compares and contrasts Embera-Katio and Northern Embera (Colombia) proper with each other and with other languages of the Embera branch of the Choco family.

Gives special reference to Epena Pedee (Saija) of the Southern Embera group. Is of special interest to linguists of all persuasions, especially typologists, Americanists, and those interested in the Choco and adjacent language families. Builds on the fourth book in the subseries, Epena Pedee syntax, by Phillip L. Harms. Details grammatical structures from phonemics to discourse.

Charles A. Mortensen began fieldwork in Colombia in 1991. He studied the Embera-Katio language for two years before completing an M.A. degree in linguistics. He returned to Colombia in 1995 and began research in Northern Embera Proper, and finished writing his research results at a grammar writing workshop in 1998.