List of language families
This article is a list of language families. This list only includes primary language families that are accepted by the current academic consensus in the field of linguistics; for language families that are not accepted by the current academic consensus in the field of linguistics, see the article "List of proposed language families".
List of language families
Spoken language families
The language families of the world
The language families of Africa
Map of the Austronesian languages
Map of major Dravidian languages
Distribution of the Indo-European language family branches across Eurasia
Area of the Papuan languages
Map of the Australian languages
Distribution of language families and isolates north of Mexico at first contact
The major South American language families
Ethnolinguistic groups of mainland Southeast Asia
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| Family name | Languages | Current speakers[1] | Location | Proposed parent family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afroasiatic languages | 366 | 499,294,669 | Africa, Eurasia | |
| Atlantic–Congo languages | 1,453 | 500,000,000 | Africa | Niger–Congo (disputed) |
| Mande languages | 50 | 27,003,000 | Africa | Niger–Congo (disputed) |
| Kru languages | 38 | 3,800,000 | Africa | Niger–Congo (disputed) |
| Dogon languages | 19 | 630,820 | Africa | Niger–Congo (disputed) |
| Ijoid languages | 10 | 3,221,650 | Africa | Niger–Congo (disputed) |
| Songhay languages | 11 | 3,228,000 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan (disputed) |
| Saharan languages | 10 | 10,940,500 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan (disputed) |
| Fur languages | 2 | 786,900 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan (disputed) |
| Maban languages | 9 | 1,115,260 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan (disputed) |
| Central Sudanic languages | 65 | 9,145,280 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan (disputed) |
| Khoe-Kwadi languages | 12 | 337,337 | Africa | Khoisan (obsolete) |
| Kx'a languages | 4 | 104,000 | Africa | Khoisan (obsolete) |
| Tuu languages | 2 | 2,500 | Africa | Khoisan (obsolete) |
| Kadu languages | 6 | 120,600 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan (disputed) |
| Talodi languages | 8 | 112,250 | Africa | Niger–Congo (disputed) |
| Heiban languages | 10 | 276,690 | Africa | Niger–Congo (disputed) |
| Rashad languages | 2 | 126,000 | Africa | Niger–Congo (disputed) |
| Katla-Tima languages | 3 | 25,000 | Africa | Niger–Congo (disputed) |
| Taman languages | 4 | 128,800 | Africa | Eastern Sudanic (disputed) |
| Daju languages | 7 | 261,000 | Africa | Eastern Sudanic (disputed) |
| Nubian languages | 13 | 842,050 | Africa | Eastern Sudanic (disputed) |
| Nyima languages | 2 | 162,000 | Africa | Eastern Sudanic (disputed) |
| Eastern Jebel languages | 4 | 104,600 | Africa | Eastern Sudanic (disputed) |
| Temein languages | 2 | 14,400 | Africa | Eastern Sudanic (disputed) |
| Nilotic languages | 55 | 33,306,780 | Africa | Eastern Sudanic (disputed) |
| Surmic languages | 11 | 544,680 | Africa | Eastern Sudanic (disputed) |
| Kresh-Aja languages | 3 | 48,200 | Africa | Central Sudanic (disputed) |
| Kuliak languages | 3 | 14,070 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan (disputed) |
| Bʼaga languages | 5 | 253,680 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan (disputed) |
| Blue Nile Mao languages | 4 | 24,300 | Africa | Afroasiatic (disputed) |
| Dizoid languages | 3 | 88,840 | Africa | Afroasiatic (disputed) |
| Koman languages | 5 | 94,000 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan (disputed) |
| Ta-Ne-Omotic languages | 19 | 7,359,020 | Africa | Afroasiatic (disputed) |
| Aroid languages | 5 | 438,100 | Africa | Afroasiatic (disputed) |
| Indo-European languages | 448 | 3,237,999,904 | Eurasia | |
| Uralic languages | 37 | 20,716,457 | Eurasia | |
| Turkic languages | 35 | 179,945,933 | Eurasia | Altaic (disputed) |
| Hurro-Urartian languages | 2 | extinct | Eurasia | |
| Abkhazo-Adyghean languages | 4 | 1,655,000 | Eurasia | Caucasian (disputed) |
| Nakh-Daghestanian languages | 29[2] | 4,155,258 | Eurasia | Caucasian, Alarodian (disputed) |
| Kartvelian languages | 5 | 4,850,000 | Eurasia | |
| Dravidian languages | 84 | 252,807,610 | Eurasia | |
| Great Andamanese languages | 10 | 3 | Eurasia | |
| Ongan languages | 2 | 296 | Eurasia | |
| Yeniseian languages | 2 | 211 | Eurasia | Dené–Yeniseian (possible) |
| Yukaghir languages | 2 | 740 | Eurasia | |
| Sino-Tibetan languages | 453 | 1,385,995,195 | Eurasia | |
| Hmong–Mien languages | 38 | 9,332,070 | Eurasia | Miao–Dai (?) |
| Kra–Dai languages | 94 | 81,549,828 | Eurasia | Austro-Tai (disputed) |
| Austroasiatic languages | 169 | 116,323,040 | Eurasia | |
| Austronesian languages | 1,223 | 325,862,510 | Africa, Eurasia, Oceania | Austro-Tai (disputed) |
| Tungusic languages | 11 | 55,800 | Eurasia | Altaic (disputed) |
| Mongolic languages | 13 | 7,269,480 | Eurasia | Altaic (disputed) |
| Koreanic languages | 2 | 77,269,890 | Eurasia | Altaic (disputed) |
| Nivkh languages | 2 | 200 | Eurasia | Nivkh–Kamchukotic (?) |
| Japonic languages | 13 | 129,240,180 | Eurasia | Altaic (disputed) |
| Ainu languages | 3 | 2 | Eurasia | Altaic (disputed) |
| Chukotko-Kamchatkan languages | 5 | 6,875 | Eurasia | Nivkh–Kamchukotic (?) |
| Trans–New Guinea | 317 | 3,540,024 | New Guinea | |
| Torricelli languages | 55 | 113,705 | New Guinea | |
| Sepik languages | 36 | 162,704 | New Guinea | |
| Ramu – Lower Sepik languages | 30 | 65,830 | New Guinea | |
| Timor–Alor–Pantar languages | 23 | 380,120 | New Guinea | |
| Lakes Plain languages | 20 | 8,455 | New Guinea | |
| Yam languages | 19 | 7,677 | New Guinea | |
| Anim languages | 17 | 32,898 | New Guinea | |
| Border languages | 15 | 17,080 | New Guinea | |
| North Halmahera languages | 15 | 279,035 | New Guinea | West Papuan (disputed) |
| Angan languages | 13 | 103,739 | New Guinea | |
| Ndu languages | 13 | 100,770 | New Guinea | |
| Orya–Tor languages | 13 | 8,345 | New Guinea | |
| Geelvink Bay languages | 10 | 8,005 | New Guinea | |
| Sko languages | 10 | 5,665 | New Guinea | |
| Dagan languages | 9 | 18,555 | New Guinea | |
| South Bougainville languages | 9 | 68,700 | New Guinea | |
| Kwerbic languages | 8 | 7,000 | New Guinea | |
| Koiarian languages | 8 | 25,690 | New Guinea | |
| Mailuan languages | 8 | 11,700 | New Guinea | |
| Bosavi languages | 7 | 14,105 | New Guinea | |
| Baining languages | 6 | 13,800 | New Guinea | |
| East Strickland languages | 6 | 3,780 | New Guinea | |
| Goilalan languages | 6 | 47,330 | New Guinea | |
| Kiwaian languages | 6 | 38,030 | New Guinea | |
| Left May languages | 6 | 2,005 | New Guinea | Left May – Kwomtari (disputed) |
| South Bird's Head languages | 6 | 8,200 | New Guinea | |
| Eleman languages | 5 | 45,240 | New Guinea | |
| Keram languages | 5 | 11,970 | New Guinea | |
| Nimboran languages | 5 | 8,500 | New Guinea | |
| Pauwasi languages | 5 | 3,880 | New Guinea | |
| West Bird's Head languages | 5 | 20,090 | New Guinea | West Papuan (disputed) |
| Yareban languages | 5 | 3,100 | New Guinea | |
| Yuat languages | 5 | 7,700 | New Guinea | |
| Arafundi languages | 5 | 1,960 | New Guinea | |
| Eastern Trans-Fly languages | 4 | 6,760 | New Guinea | |
| North Bougainville languages | 4 | 10,020 | New Guinea | |
| Demta–Sentani languages | 4 | 36,680 | New Guinea | |
| Gogodala–Suki languages | 4 | 30,160 | New Guinea | |
| Turama–Kikorian languages | 4 | 6,210 | New Guinea | |
| Walio languages | 4 | 856 | New Guinea | |
| East Bird's Head languages | 3 | 34,800 | New Guinea | West Papuan (disputed) |
| Kamula-Elevala languages | 3 | 28,700 | New Guinea | |
| Kayagaric languages | 3 | 14,500 | New Guinea | |
| Kolopom languages | 3 | 5,300 | New Guinea | |
| Kwalean languages | 3 | 2,240 | New Guinea | |
| Mairasi languages | 3 | 4,385 | New Guinea | |
| West Bomberai languages | 3 | 6,840 | New Guinea | |
| Amto–Musan languages | 2 | 720 | New Guinea | |
| Baibai-Fas languages | 2 | 2,840 | New Guinea | Left May – Kwomtari, Kwomtari–Fas (disputed) |
| Bayono-Awbono languages | 2 | 400 | New Guinea | |
| Bogia-Monumbo languages | 2 | 860 | New Guinea | |
| Bulaka River languages | 3 | 520 | New Guinea | |
| Doso-Turumsa languages | 2 | 2,395 | New Guinea | |
| East Kutubuan languages | 2 | 7,300 | New Guinea | |
| Hatam-Mansim languages | 2 | 16,000 | New Guinea | West Papuan (disputed) |
| Inanwatan–Duriankere languages | 2 | 1,130 | New Guinea | |
| Kaure-Kosare languages | 2 | 700 | New Guinea | |
| Konda-Yahadian languages | 2 | 1,000 | New Guinea | |
| Kwomtari languages | 3 | 1,510 | New Guinea | Left May – Kwomtari, Kwomtari–Fas (disputed) |
| Lepki-Murkim-Kembra | 3 | 840 | New Guinea | |
| Manubaran languages | 2 | 3,350 | New Guinea | |
| Mombum-Koneraw languages | 2 | 1,450 | New Guinea | |
| Namla-Tofanma languages | 2 | 280 | New Guinea | |
| Pahoturi languages | 2 | 4,050 | New Guinea | |
| Piawi languages | 2 | 2,600 | New Guinea | |
| Senagi languages | 2 | 2,960 | New Guinea | |
| Somahai languages | 2 | 2,200 | New Guinea | |
| Taulil-Butam languages | 2 | 2,000 | New Guinea | |
| Teberan languages | 2 | 15,800 | New Guinea | |
| Yawa-Saweru | 2 | 10,300 | New Guinea | West Papuan (disputed) |
| Pama–Nyungan languages | 250 | 23,539 | Australia | |
| Gunwinyguan languages | 5 | 1,314 | Australia | |
| Western Daly languages | 3 | 21 | Australia | |
| Nyulnyulan languages | 3 | 94 | Australia | |
| Worrorran languages | 3 | 108 | Australia | |
| Mirndi languages | 3 | 261 | Australia | |
| Iwaidjan languages | 4 | 491 | Australia | Arnhem Land (disputed) |
| Mangarrayi-Maran languages | 4 | 10 | Australia | |
| Maningrida languages | 4 | 1,434 | Australia | Arnhem Land (disputed) |
| Tangkic languages | 4 | 73 | Australia | |
| Giimbiyu languages | 3 | extinct | Australia | Arnhem Land (disputed) |
| Jarrakan languages | 3 | 130 | Australia | |
| Yangmanic languages | 3 | 50 | Australia | |
| Bunuban languages | 2 | 100 | Australia | |
| Eastern Daly languages | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
| Garrwan languages | 2 | 130 | Australia | |
| Limilngan-Wulna | 2 | 23 | Australia | |
| Marrku-Wurrugu languages | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
| Northeastern Tasmanian languages | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
| Northern Daly languages | 2 | 8 | Australia | |
| Southeastern Tasmanian languages | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
| Southern Daly languages | 2 | 1,980 | Australia | |
| Western Tasmanian languages | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
| Inuit–Yupik–Unangan languages | 10 | 108,705 | North America, Eurasia | |
| Na-Dene languages | 44 | 208,552 | North America | Dené–Yeniseian (possible) |
| Haida languages | 2 | 13 | North America | |
| Tsimshianic languages | 4 | 2,910 | North America | Penutian (disputed) |
| Wakashan languages | 6 | 710 | North America | |
| Salishan languages | 25 | 1,969 | North America | |
| Chimakuan languages | 2 | extinct | North America | |
| Chinookan languages | 4 | extinct | North America | Penutian (disputed) |
| Kalapuyan languages | 3 | extinct | North America | Penutian (disputed) |
| Coosan languages | 2 | extinct | North America | Penutian (disputed) |
| Plateau Penutian languages | 4 | 125 | North America | Penutian (disputed) |
| Shastan languages | 4 | extinct | North America | Hokan (disputed) |
| Yuki–Wappo languages | 2 | extinct | North America | |
| Pomoan languages | 7 | 47 | North America | Hokan (disputed) |
| Wintuan languages | 2 | extinct | North America | Penutian (disputed) |
| Palaihnihan languages | 2 | 10 | North America | Hokan (disputed) |
| Maiduan languages | 4 | 3 | North America | Penutian (disputed) |
| Utian languages | 13 | 18 | North America | Yok-Utian, Penutian (disputed) |
| Chumashan languages | 6 | extinct | North America | |
| Yokutsan languages | 4 | 50 | North America | Yok-Utian, Penutian (disputed) |
| Uto-Aztecan languages | 58 | 1,910,442 | North America | Aztec–Tanoan (possible) |
| Yuman–Cochimí languages | 12 | 3,710 | North America | Hokan (disputed) |
| Siouan–Catawban languages | 14 | 33,399 | North America | |
| Algic languages | 41 | 214,768 | North America | |
| Keres languages | 2 | 10,670 | North America | |
| Tanoan–Kiowa languages | 6 | 6,000 | North America | Aztec–Tanoan (possible) |
| Caddoan languages | 5 | 46 | North America | |
| Totonacan languages | 12 | 282,250 | North America | Totozoquean (possible) |
| Tarascan languages | 2 | 225,100 | North America | |
| Oto-Manguean languages | 176 | 1,678,214 | North America | |
| Huavean languages | 4 | 14,670 | North America | |
| Mixe–Zoque languages | 17 | 153,612 | North America | Totozoquean (possible) |
| Tequistlatecan languages | 3 | 5,494 | North America | Hokan (disputed) |
| Muskogean languages | 6 | 15,640 | North America | Gulf (possible) |
| Mayan languages | 31 | 6,522,182 | North America | |
| Xincan languages | (5) | extinct | North America | Macro-Chibchan (?) |
| Jicaquean languages | 2 | 500 | North America | Hokan (disputed) |
| Lencan languages | 2 | extinct | North America | Macro-Chibchan, Hokan (disputed) |
| Misumalpan languages | 5 | 709,000 | North America | Macro-Chibchan, Hokan (disputed) |
| Iroquoian languages | 9 | 14,543 | North America | |
| Arawakan languages | 54 | 699,709 | North America, South America | |
| Chibchan languages | 20 | 306,267 | North America, South America | Macro-Chibchan (?) |
| Choco languages | 7 | 114,600 | North America, South America | |
| Carib languages | 29 | 67,376 | North America, South America | Je–Tupi–Carib (possible) |
| Barbacoan languages | 3 | 24,800 | South America | Macro-Paesan (disputed) |
| Jivaroan languages | 4 | 89,630 | South America | |
| Quechuan languages | 45 | 7,768,820 | South America | |
| Aymaran languages | 3 | 2,808,740 | South America | |
| Uru–Chipaya languages | 2 | 1,200 | South America | |
| Huarpean languages | 3 | extinct | South America | |
| Araucanian languages | 2 | 262,000 | South America | |
| Chonan languages | (6) | extinct | South America | Moseten–Chonan, Macro-Panoan (possible) |
| Alacalufan languages | 1 | 12 | South America | |
| Guajiboan languages | 5 | 39,290 | South America | |
| Kakua-Nukak languages | 2 | 610 | South America | Macro-Puinavean (disputed) |
| Otomákoan languages | 2 | extinct | South America | Macro-Otomákoan (disputed) |
| Piaroa–Saliban languages | 3 | 18,630 | South America | |
| Nadahup languages | 4 | 2,894 | South America | Macro-Puinavean (disputed) |
| Yanomaman languages | 4 | 31,670 | South America | |
| Tucanoan languages | 23 | 30,308 | South America | |
| Boran languages | 2 | 1,500 | South America | Bora–Witoto (disputed) |
| Witotoan languages | 7 | 17,478 | South America | Bora–Witoto (disputed) |
| Peba–Yaguan languages | 1 | 5,700 | South America | Saparo–Yawan (disputed) |
| Zaparoan languages | 3 | 90 | South America | Saparo–Yawan (disputed) |
| Hibito–Cholon languages | 2 | extinct | South America | |
| Cahuapanan languages | 2 | 10,370 | South America | |
| Ticuna–Yuri languages | 2 | 48,580 | South America | |
| Pano-Tacanan languages | 45 | 51,539 | South America | Macro-Panoan (disputed) |
| Arawan languages | 8 | 5,870 | South America | |
| Katukinan languages | 2 | 10 | South America | Harákmbut–Katukinan, Macro-Puinavean (disputed) |
| Harákmbut languages | 2 | 2,220 | South America | Harákmbut–Katukinan, Macro-Otomákoan (disputed) |
| Tupian languages | 66 | 5,026,502 | South America | Je–Tupi–Carib (possible) |
| Chapacuran languages | 4 | 2,019 | South America | Wamo–Chapakura (disputed) |
| Nambikwaran languages | 6 | 1,068 | South America | |
| Bororoan languages | 3 | 1,392 | South America | Macro-Jê (disputed) |
| Chiquitano languages | 2 | 4,670 | South America | |
| Zamucoan languages | 2 | 5,900 | South America | |
| Mascoian languages | 6 | 20,728 | South America | Mataco–Guaicuru (?) |
| Matacoan languages | 7 | 60,280 | South America | Mataco–Guaicuru (?) |
| Guaicuruan languages | 4 | 49,350 | South America | Mataco–Guaicuru (?) |
| Macro-Jê languages | 30 | 51,093 | South America | Je–Tupi–Carib (possible) |
| Charruan languages | (3) | extinct | South America | Mataco–Guaicuru (?) |
| Kamakã languages | 4 | extinct | South America | Macro-Jê (disputed) |
| Purian languages | 2 | extinct | South America | Macro-Jê (disputed) |
Sign language families
The family relationships of sign languages are not well established due to a lagging in linguistic research, and many are isolates (cf. Wittmann 1991).[3]
| Family Name | Location | Number of Languages |
|---|---|---|
| French Sign | Europe, the Americas, Francophone Africa, parts of Asia | Over 50 |
| British Sign | United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa | 4–10 |
| Arab Sign | Much of the Arab World | 6–10 |
| Japanese Sign | Japan, Korea, Taiwan | 3 |
| German Sign | Germany, Poland, Israel | 3 |
| Swedish Sign | Sweden, Finland, Portugal | 3 |
| Chinese Sign | China (including Hong Kong and Macau) | 2 |
See also
- Constructed language – Consciously devised language
- Endangered language – Language that is at risk of going extinct
- Ethnologue#Language families
- Extinct language – Language that no longer has any first-language or second-language speakers
- Index of language articles
- Intercontinental Dictionary Series – Linguistics database
- International auxiliary language – Constructed language meant to facilitate communication
- Glottolog#Language families
- Language isolate#List of language isolates by continent
- Lists of languages
- List of proposed language families
References
- "What are the largest language families?". Ethnologue. May 25, 2019.
- "North Caucasian". Ethnologue. Archived from the original on July 2, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
- Wittmann, Henri (1991). "Classification linguistique des langues signées non vocalement" (PDF). Revue québécoise de linguistique théorique et appliquée (in French). 10 (1): 215–288.
External links
- Glottolog
- Ethnologue
- MultiTree Project Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
- Comparative Swadesh list tables of various language families (from Wiktionary)
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