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
- Map of the main 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
- Caucasian languages
- Distribution of the Uralic, Altaic, and Yukaghir languages
Family | Languages | Current speakers | Location | Proposed parent family |
---|---|---|---|---|
Afroasiatic | 381 | 499,294,669 | Africa, Eurasia | |
Aroid | 5 | 438,100 | Africa | Afroasiatic |
Atlantic–Congo | 1,410 | 500,000,000 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
Central Sudanic | 63 | 9,145,280 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
Daju | 7 | 261,000 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
Dizoid | 3 | 88,840 | Africa | Afroasiatic |
Dogon | 20 | 630,820 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
Eastern Jebel | 4 | 104,600 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
Fur | 2 | 786,900 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
Gumuz | 3 | 253,680 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
Heiban | 10 | 276,690 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
Ijaw | 9 | 3,221,650 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
Kadu | 6 | 120,600 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
Katla-Tima | 3 | 25,000 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
Khoe-Kwadi | 14 | 337,337 | Africa | |
Koman | 5 | 94,000 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
Kresh-Aja | 3 | 48,200 | Africa | Central Sudanic |
Kru | 38 | 3,800,000 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
Kuliak | 3 | 14,070 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
Kx'a | 5 | 104,000 | Africa | |
Maban | 10 | 1,115,260 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
Mande | 75 | 27,003,000 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
Mao | 4 | 24,300 | Africa | Afroasiatic |
Nilotic | 55 | 33,306,780 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
Nubian | 13 | 842,050 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
Nyima | 2 | 162,000 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
Rashad | 2 | 126,000 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
Saharan | 10 | 10,940,500 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
Songhay | 10 | 3,228,000 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
Surmic | 11 | 544,680 | Africa | |
Talodi | 8 | 112,250 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
Taman | 4 | 128,800 | Africa | |
Ta-Ne-Omotic | 19 | 7,359,020 | Africa | Afroasiatic |
Temein | 2 | 14,400 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
Tuu | 9 | 2,500 | Africa | |
Indo-European | 586 | 3,237,999,904 | Eurasia | |
Uralic | 49 | 20,716,457 | Eurasia | |
Turkic | 35 | 179,945,933 | Eurasia | Altaic (controversial) |
Hurro-Urartian | 2 | extinct | Eurasia | Alarodian |
Northwest Caucasian | 4 | 1,655,000 | Eurasia | North Caucasian |
Northeast Caucasian | 29 | 4,155,258 | Eurasia | North Caucasian or Alarodian |
Kartvelian | 5 | 4,850,000 | Eurasia | |
Dravidian | 84 | 252,807,610 | Eurasia | |
Great Andamanese | 10 | 3 | Eurasia | |
Ongan | 2 | 296 | Eurasia | |
Yeniseian | 5 | 153 | Eurasia | Dené–Yeniseian |
Yukaghir | 4 | 516 | Eurasia | |
Sino-Tibetan | 514 | 1,385,995,195 | Eurasia | |
Hmong–Mien | 43 | 9,332,070 | Eurasia | Miao–Dai or Austric |
Kra–Dai | 95 | 81,549,828 | Eurasia | Austro-Tai |
Austroasiatic | 158 | 116,323,040 | Eurasia | Austric languages |
Austronesian | 1,274 | 325,862,510 | Africa, Eurasia, Oceania | Austro-Tai |
Tungusic | 15 | 55,800 | Eurasia | Altaic (controversial) |
Mongolic | 16 | 7,269,480 | Eurasia | Altaic (controversial) |
Koreanic | 2 | 77,269,890 | Eurasia | Altaic (controversial) |
Nivkh | 2 | 200 | Eurasia | Nivkh–Kamchukotic |
Japonic | 13 | 129,240,180 | Eurasia | Altaic (controversial) |
Ainu | 3 | 2 | Eurasia | Altaic (controversial) |
Chukotko-Kamchatkan | 7 | 6,875 | Eurasia | Nivkh–Kamchukotic |
Trans–New Guinea | 316 | 3,540,024 | New Guinea | |
Torricelli | 55 | 113,705 | New Guinea | |
Sepik | 36 | 162,704 | New Guinea | |
Lower Sepik | 6 | 13,070 | New Guinea | Ramu–Lower Sepik languages |
Timor–Alor–Pantar | 23 | 380,120 | New Guinea | |
Lakes Plain | 20 | 8,455 | New Guinea | |
Yam | 19 | 7,677 | New Guinea | |
Anim | 17 | 32,898 | New Guinea | Trans–New Guinea |
Border | 15 | 17,080 | New Guinea | |
North Halmahera | 15 | 279,035 | New Guinea | West Papuan |
Angan | 13 | 103,739 | New Guinea | Trans–New Guinea |
Ndu | 13 | 100,770 | New Guinea | Sepik languages |
Orya–Tor | 13 | 8,345 | New Guinea | |
Geelvink Bay | 10 | 8,005 | New Guinea | |
Sko | 10 | 5,665 | New Guinea | |
Dagan | 9 | 18,555 | New Guinea | Trans–New Guinea |
South Bougainville | 9 | 68,700 | New Guinea | |
Kwerbic | 8 | 7,000 | New Guinea | |
Koiarian | 8 | 25,690 | New Guinea | |
Mailuan | 8 | 11,700 | New Guinea | |
Bosavi | 7 | 14,105 | New Guinea | |
Baining | 6 | 13,800 | New Guinea | |
East Strickland | 6 | 3,780 | New Guinea | |
Goilalan | 6 | 47,330 | New Guinea | |
Kiwaia | 6 | 38,030 | New Guinea | |
Left May | 6 | 2,005 | New Guinea | Left May – Kwomtari |
South Bird's Head | 6 | 8,200 | New Guinea | |
Eleman | 5 | 45,240 | New Guinea | |
Keram | 5 | 11,970 | New Guinea | |
Nimboran | 5 | 8,500 | New Guinea | |
Pauwasi | 5 | 3,880 | New Guinea | |
West Bird's Head | 5 | 20,090 | New Guinea | West Papuan |
Yareban | 5 | 3,100 | New Guinea | |
Yuat | 5 | 7,700 | New Guinea | |
Arafundi | 5 | 1,960 | New Guinea | |
Eastern Trans-Fly | 4 | 6,760 | New Guinea | |
North Bougainville | 4 | 10,020 | New Guinea | |
Demta–Sentani | 4 | 36,680 | New Guinea | |
Gogodala–Suki | 4 | 30,160 | New Guinea | |
Turama–Kikorian | 4 | 6,210 | New Guinea | |
Walio | 4 | 856 | New Guinea | |
East Bird's Head | 3 | 34,800 | New Guinea | West Papuan |
Kamula-Elevala | 3 | 28,700 | New Guinea | |
Kayagaric | 3 | 14,500 | New Guinea | |
Kolopom | 3 | 5,300 | New Guinea | |
Kwalean | 3 | 2,240 | New Guinea | |
Mairasi | 3 | 4,385 | New Guinea | |
West Bomberai | 3 | 6,840 | New Guinea | |
Amto–Musan | 2 | 720 | New Guinea | |
Baibai-Fas | 2 | 2,840 | New Guinea | Left May – Kwomtari, Kwomtari–Fas |
Bayono-Awbono | 2 | 400 | New Guinea | |
Bogia | 2 | 860 | New Guinea | |
Bulaka River | 3 | 520 | New Guinea | |
Doso-Turumsa | 2 | 2,395 | New Guinea | |
East Kutubuan | 2 | 7,300 | New Guinea | |
Hatam-Mansim | 2 | 16,000 | New Guinea | West Papuan |
Inanwatan–Duriankere | 2 | 1,130 | New Guinea | |
Kaure-Kosare | 2 | 700 | New Guinea | |
Konda-Yahadian | 2 | 1,000 | New Guinea | |
Kwomtari | 3 | 1,510 | New Guinea | Left May–Kwomtari or Kwomtari–Fas |
Lepki-Murkim-Kembra | 3 | 840 | New Guinea | |
Manubaran | 2 | 3,350 | New Guinea | |
Mombum-Koneraw | 2 | 1,450 | New Guinea | |
Namla-Tofanma | 2 | 280 | New Guinea | |
Pahoturi | 2 | 4,050 | New Guinea | |
Piawi | 2 | 2,600 | New Guinea | |
Senagi | 2 | 2,960 | New Guinea | |
Somahai | 2 | 2,200 | New Guinea | |
Taulil-Butam | 2 | 2,000 | New Guinea | |
Ramu | 24 | 52,760 | New Guinea | Ramu–Lower Sepik |
Teberan | 2 | 15,800 | New Guinea | |
Yawa-Saweru | 2 | 10,300 | New Guinea | West Papuan |
Pama–Nyungan | 250 | 23,539 | Australia | |
Gunwinyguan | 5 | 1,314 | Australia | |
Western Daly | 3 | 21 | Australia | |
Nyulnyulan | 3 | 94 | Australia | |
Worrorran | 3 | 108 | Australia | |
Mirndi | 3 | 261 | Australia | |
Iwaidjan | 4 | 491 | Australia | Arnhem |
Mangarrayi-Maran | 4 | 10 | Australia | |
Maningrida | 4 | 1,434 | Australia | Arnhem |
Tangkic | 4 | 73 | Australia | |
Giimbiyu | 3 | extinct | Australia | Arnhem |
Jarrakan | 3 | 130 | Australia | |
Bunuban | 2 | 100 | Australia | |
Eastern Daly | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
Garrwan | 2 | 130 | Australia | |
Limilngan-Wulna | 2 | 23 | Australia | |
Marrku-Wurrugu | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
Yangmanic | 3 | 50 | Australia | |
Northeastern Tasmanian | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
Northern Daly | 2 | 8 | Australia | |
Southeastern Tasmanian | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
Southern Daly | 2 | 1,980 | Australia | |
Western Tasmanian | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
Eskaleut | 10 | 108,705 | North America, Eurasia | |
Na-Dene | 46 | 208,552 | North America | Dené–Yeniseian |
Haida | 2 | 13 | North America | |
Tsimshianic | 4 | 2,910 | North America | Penutian |
Wakashan | 6 | 710 | North America | |
Salishan | 25 | 1,969 | North America | |
Chimakuan | 2 | extinct | North America | |
Chinookan | 4 | extinct | North America | Penutian |
Kalapuyan | 3 | extinct | North America | Penutian |
Coosan | 2 | extinct | North America | Penutian |
Sahaptian | 4 | 125 | North America | Penutian |
Shastan | 4 | extinct | North America | Hokan |
Yuki–Wappo | 2 | extinct | North America | |
Pomoan | 7 | 47 | North America | Hokan |
Wintuan | 2 | extinct | North America | Penutian |
Palaihnihan | 2 | 10 | North America | Hokan |
Maiduan | 4 | 3 | North America | Penutian |
Utian | 13 | 18 | North America | Penutian |
Chumashan | 6 | extinct | North America | |
Yokutsan | 4 | 50 | North America | Penutian |
Uto-Aztecan | 58 | 1,910,442 | North America | Aztec–Tanoan |
Yuman–Cochimí | 12 | 3,710 | North America | Hokan |
Siouan | 14 | 33,399 | North America | Macro-Siouan |
Algic | 47 | 214,768 | North America | |
Keres | 2 | 10,670 | North America | |
Tanoan–Kiowa | 6 | 6,000 | North America | Aztec–Tanoan |
Caddoan | 5 | 46 | North America | Macro-Siouan |
Totonacan | 12 | 282,250 | North America | Totozoquean |
Tarascan | 2 | 225,100 | North America | |
Oto-Manguean | 176 | 1,678,214 | North America | |
Huavean | 4 | 14,670 | North America | |
Mixe–Zoque | 17 | 153,612 | North America | Totozoquean |
Tequistlatecan | 3 | 5,494 | North America | Hokan |
Muskogean | 6 | 15,640 | North America | Gulf |
Mayan | 31 | 6,522,182 | North America | |
Xincan | 5 | extinct | North America | Macro-Chibchan |
Jicaquean | 2 | 500 | North America | Hokan |
Lencan | 2 | extinct | North America | Macro-Chibchan or Hokan |
Misumalpan | 5 | 709,000 | North America | Macro-Chibchan |
Iroquoian | 9 | 14,543 | North America | Macro-Siouan |
Arawakan | 77 | 699,709 | North America, South America | Macro-Arawakan |
Chibchan | 27 | 306,267 | North America, South America | Macro-Chibchan |
Chocoan | 9 | 114,600 | North America, South America | |
Cariban | 42 | 67,376 | North America, South America | Je–Tupi–Carib |
Barbacoan | 6 | 24,800 | South America | Macro-Paesan |
Chicham | 4 | 89,630 | South America | |
Quechuan | 45 | 7,768,820 | South America | |
Aymaran | 4 | 2,808,740 | South America | |
Uru–Chipaya | 2 | 1,200 | South America | |
Huarpean | 3 | extinct | South America | |
Araucanian | 2 | 262,000 | South America | |
Chonan | 6 | extinct | South America | Moseten–Chonan |
Alacalufan | 3 | 12 | South America | |
Guajiboan | 5 | 39,290 | South America | Macro-Arawakan |
Kakua-Nukak | 2 | 610 | South America | Macro-Puinavean |
Otomákoan | 2 | extinct | South America | Macro-Otomákoan |
Piaroa–Saliban | 3 | 18,630 | South America | |
Nadahup | 4 | 2,894 | South America | Macro-Puinavean |
Yanomaman | 4 | 31,670 | South America | |
Tucanoan | 23 | 30,308 | South America | |
Boran | 2 | 1,500 | South America | Bora–Witoto |
Witotoan | 7 | 17,478 | South America | Bora–Witoto |
Peba–Yaguan | 3 | 5,700 | South America | Saparo–Yawan |
Zaparoan | 3 | 90 | South America | Saparo–Yawan |
Hibito–Cholon | 2 | extinct | South America | |
Cahuapanan | 2 | 10,370 | South America | |
Ticuna–Yuri | 2 | 48,580 | South America | |
Panoan | 38 | 48,679 | South America | Macro-Panoan |
Arawan | 6 | 5,870 | South America | |
Katukinan | 2 | 10 | South America | Macro-Puinavean |
Harákmbut | 2 | 2,220 | South America | Harákmbut–Katukinan or Macro-Otomákoan |
Tupian | 70 | 5,026,502 | South America | Je–Tupi–Carib |
Chapacuran | 4 | 2,019 | South America | Wamo–Chapakura |
Nambikwaran | 6 | 1,068 | South America | |
Bororoan | 3 | 1,392 | South America | Macro-Jê |
Chiquitano | 2 | 4,670 | South America | Macro-Jê |
Zamucoan | 2 | 5,900 | South America | |
Tacanan | 7 | 2,860 | South America | Macro-Panoan languages |
Mascoian | 6 | 20,728 | South America | Mataco–Guaicuru |
Matacoan | 7 | 60,280 | South America | Mataco–Guaicuru |
Guaicuruan | 4 | 49,350 | South America | Mataco–Guaicuru |
Macro-Jê | 29 | 51,093 | South America | Je–Tupi–Carib |
Charruan | 3 | extinct | South America | Mataco–Guaicuru |
Kamakanan | 4 | extinct | South America | Macro-Jê |
Purian | 2 | extinct | South America | Macro-Jê |
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).
Family Name | Location | Number of |
---|---|---|
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
- "Glottolog 5.0 -". glottolog.org. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
- "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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