List of language families

See also: Language family

This List of language families includes also language isolates, unclassified languages and other types of languages.

Major language families

By number of native speakers

Pie chart of world languages by percentage of speakers

This is a list of the top ten families that are fairly often recognized as phylogenetic units, in terms of numbers of native speakers as a proportion of world population, listed with their core geographic areas.

1. Indo-European languages 45% (Europe, Southwest to South Asia, North Asia, North America, South America, Oceania, South Africa)
2. Sino-Tibetan languages 22% (East Asia)
3. Niger–Congo languages 6.4% (Sub-Saharan Africa)
4. Afroasiatic languages 6.0% (North Africa to Horn of Africa, West Asia)
5. Austronesian languages 5.9% (Oceania, Madagascar, maritime Southeast Asia)
6. Dravidian languages 3.7% (South Asia)
7. Altaic languages (controversial combination of Turkic, Mongolic, and Tungusic families) 2.3% (Central Asia, Northern Asia, Anatolia, Siberia)
8. Japonic languages (sometimes included in an expanded Altaic proposal) 2.1% (Japan)
9. Austroasiatic languages 1.7% (mainland Southeast Asia)
10. Tai–Kadai languages 1.3% (Southeast Asia)

Phyla with historically wide geographical distributions but comparatively few contemporary speakers include Eskimo–Aleut, Na-Dené, Algic, Quechuan and Nilo-Saharan.

By number of languages

According to the numbers in Ethnologue, the largest language families in terms of number of languages are the following. Some families are controversial, and in many the language count varies between researchers.

1. Niger–Congo (1,532 languages)
2. Austronesian (1,257 languages)
3. Trans–New Guinea (477 languages)
4. Sino-Tibetan (449 languages)
5. Indo-European (439 languages)
6. Afro-Asiatic (374 languages)
7. Nilo-Saharan (205 languages)
8. Pama–Nyungan (178 languages)
9. Oto-Manguean (177 languages) (number varies; Lyle Campbell counts 27)
10. Austroasiatic (169 languages)
11. Tai–Kadai (92 languages)
12. Dravidian (85 languages)
13. Tupian (76 languages)

Language families

In the following, each numbered item is a known or suspected language family. The geographic headings over them are meant solely as a tool for grouping families into collections more comprehensible than an unstructured list of a few hundred independent families. Geographic relationship is convenient for that purpose, but these headings are not a suggestion of any "super-families" phylogenetically relating the families named.

Africa and Southwest Asia

The language families of Africa.

Main article: Languages of Africa

1. Afro-Asiatic languages
2. Niger–Congo languages
3. Nilo-Saharan languages
4. Khoe languages (part of the Khoisan proposal)
5. Tuu languages (part of Khoisan)
6. Kx'a languages (part of Khoisan)
7. Ubangian languages
8. Mande languages (perhaps Niger–Congo)
9. Songhay languages (perhaps Nilo-Saharan)
10. Kadu languages (perhaps Nilo-Saharan)
11. Koman languages (perhaps Nilo-Saharan)

Europe and North, West and South Asia

Map of major European languages

Distribution of the Turkic languages across Eurasia

Main article: Languages of Europe

Main article: Languages of Asia

1. Indo-European languages
2. Tyrsenian languages (extinct)
3. Dravidian languages
4. Northwest Caucasian languages (often included in North Caucasian)
5. Northeast Caucasian languages (often included in North Caucasian)
6. Hurro-Urartian languages (extinct, perhaps related to Northeast Caucasian)
7. South Caucasian languages
8. Turkic languages (part of the Altaic proposal)
9. Mongolic languages (part of Altaic)
10. Tungusic languages (part of Altaic)
11. Uralic languages
12. Yukaghir languages
13. Chukotko-Kamchatkan languages
14. Yeniseian languages (part of proposed Dené–Yeniseian family)

East Asia, Southeast Asia, Northeast India and the Pacific

Main article: Languages of Asia

Main article: Languages of Oceania

1. Austroasiatic languages
2. Austronesian languages (perhaps includes Tai-Kadai or Ongan)
3. Great Andamanese languages
4. Hmong–Mien languages
5. Japonic languages (part of the Altaic proposal)
6. Ongan languages (part of the Austronesian–Ongan proposal)
7. Siangic ? (proposed, may be Sino-Tibetan)
8. Sino-Tibetan languages
9. Tai–Kadai languages (part of the Austro-Tai proposal)

New Guinea and neighboring islands

Area of the Papuan languages.

Main article: Papuan languages

1. Baining languages
2. Border languages
3. Central Solomons languages
4. East Bird's Head – Sentani languages
5. Eastern Trans-Fly languages (one in Australia)
6. Fas languages
7. East Geelvink Bay languages
8. Lakes Plain languages (upper Mamberamo River)
9. Left May languages
10. Kwomtari languages
11. Mairasi languages
12. Nimboran languages
13. North Bougainville languages
14. Piawi languages
15. Ramu – Lower Sepik languages
16. Senagi languages
17. Sepik languages
18. Skou languages
19. South Bougainville languages
20. Tor–Kwerba languages
21. Torricelli languages
22. Trans-Fly – Bulaka River languages
23. Trans–New Guinea (the largest family)
24. West New Britain languages
25. West Papuan languages
26. Yuat languages

Australia

Map of the Australian languages

Main article: Indigenous Australian languages

1. Bunaban languages
2. Daly languages
3. Limilngan languages
4. Djeragan languages
5. Nyulnyulan languages
6. Wororan languages
7. Mirndi languages
8. Arnhem Land languages (3 families and 2 isolates)
9. Gunwinyguan languages
10. Pama–Nyungan languages (the largest family)
11. Tasmanian languages [perhaps 4 families; extinct]

North America and Mesoamerica

Distribution of language families and isolates north of Mexico at first contact.

Main article: Indigenous languages of the Americas

1. Algic languages (incl. Algonquian languages) (14)
2. Caddoan languages (4)
3. Chimakuan languages (1)
4. Chumashan languages (0)
5. Eskimo–Aleut languages (5)
6. Hokan (21: Chimariko, Yana, Karuk, Shastan–Palaihnihan, Pomoan, Washo, Esselen, Salinan, Yuman, Seri, Coahuilteco, Comecrudan, Tequistlatec, Jicaque)
7. Iroquoian languages (7)
8. Keres languages (2)
9. Mayan languages (Mesoamerica) (31)
10. Mixe–Zoquean languages (Mesoamerica) (19)
11. Muskogean languages (5)
12. Na-Dene languages (44) (part of proposed Dené–Yeniseian family)
13. Oto-Manguean languages (Mesoamerica) (27)
14. Penutian (16: Tsimshian, Chinook, Oregon Coast, Kalapuyan, Takelma, Yok-Utian, Maidu, Plateau)
15. Salishan languages (16)
16. Siouan–Catawban languages (10)
17. Tanoan languages (6)
18. Totonacan languages (Mesoamerica) (2)
19. Uto-Aztecan languages (North America & Mesoamerica) (31)
20. Wakashan languages (7)
21. Wintuan languages (1)
22. Yukian languages (0)

Central America and South America

The major South American language families.

Main article: Indigenous languages of the Americas

1. Alacalufan languages (2)
2. Arauan languages (8)
3. Araucanian languages (2)
4. Arawakan languages (South America & Caribbean) (73)
5. Arutani–Sape languages (2)
6. Aymaran languages (3)
7. Barbacoan languages (7)
8. Cahuapanan languages (2)
9. Carib languages (29)
10. Catacaoan languages (0)
11. Chapacuran languages (5)
12. Charruan languages (10)
13. Chibchan languages (Central & South America) (22)
14. Chimuan languages (0)
15. Choco languages (10)
16. Chon languages (2)
17. Esmerelda–Yaruro languages (2)
18. Guaicuruan languages (a.k.a. Waikurian) (8)
19. Hibito–Cholon languages (0)
20. Hodï languages (2)
21. Ge languages (13)
22. Jicaquean languages (Central America)
23. Jirajaran languages (0)
24. Jivaroan languages (4)
25. Katembri–Taruma languages (0)
26. Katukinan languages (3)
27. Lencan languages (Central America)
28. Lule–Vilela languages (1)
29. Mascoian languages (5)
30. Mashakalian languages
31. Matacoan languages (4)
32. Misumalpan languages (Central America) (9)
33. Mosetenan languages (1)
34. Mura languages (1)
35. Nadahup languages (4)
36. Nambiquaran languages (5)
37. Otomakoan languages ? (3)
38. Pano–Tacanan languages (36)
39. Peba–Yaguan languages (2)
40. Puinavean languages (Maku) (9)
41. Quechuan languages (46)
42. Salivan languages (2)
43. Tequiraca–Canichana languages (2)
44. Timotean languages (0)
45. Tiniguan languages (1)
46. Tucanoan languages (25)
47. Tupian languages (70)
48. Uru–Chipaya languages (2)
49. Witotoan languages (6)
50. Xincan languages (Central America)
51. Yabutian languages (2)
52. Yanomam languages (4)
53. Zamucoan languages (2)
54. Zaparoan languages (7)

Language isolates

Central & South America

1. Aikaná (Brazil: Rondônia)
2. Andoque (Colombia, Peru)
3. Betoi (Colombia)
4. Camsá (Colombia)
5. Candoshi-Shapra (Peru)
6. Cayubaba (Bolivia)
7. Cofán (Colombia, Ecuador)
8. Fulniô (Brazil: Pernambuco)
9. Guató (Brazil, Bolivia)
10. Huaorani (a.k.a. Sabela, Waorani, Waodani) (Ecuador, Peru)
11. Irantxe (Brazil: Mato Grosso)
12. Itonama (Bolivia)
13. Kapixaná (Brazil)
14. Koayá (Brazil: Rondônia)
15. Leco (Bolivia)
16. Mapudungun (Chile, Argentina)
17. Movima (Bolivia)
18. Omurano (Peru)
19. Otí (Brazil: São Paulo) [extinct]
20. Páez (Colombia) (see also Paezan)
21. Puelche (Argentina, Chile)
22. Puquina (Bolivia) [extinct]
23. Ticuna (Colombia, Peru, Brazil)
24. Warao (Guyana, Surinam, Venezuela)
25. Yámana (a.k.a. Yagan) (Chile)
26. Yuracare (Bolivia)
27. Yuri (Colombia, Brazil)
28. Yurumanguí (Colombia)

North America

1. Chitimacha (US: Louisiana) [extinct]
2. Cuitlatec (Mexico: Guerrero) [extinct]
3. Haida (Canada: British Columbia; US: Alaska)
4. Huave (Mexico: Oaxaca)
5. Karankawa (US: Texas) [extinct]
6. Kootenai (Canada: British Columbia; US: Idaho, Montana)
7. Natchez (US: Mississippi, Louisiana) (sometimes linked to Muskogean)
8. Purépecha (a.k.a. Tarascan) (Mexico: Michoacán)
9. Timucua (US: Florida, Georgia) [extinct]
10. Tonkawa (US: Texas) [extinct]
11. Tunica (US: Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas) [extinct]
12. Yuchi (US: Georgia, Oklahoma)
13. Zuni (a.k.a. Shiwi) (US: New Mexico)

Australia

1. Enindhilyagwa (AKA Andilyaugwa, Anindilyakwa)
2. Laragiya
3. Minkin [extinct; perhaps a member of Yiwaidjan or Tankic]
4. Ngurmbur (perhaps a member of Macro-Pama–Nyungan)
5. Tiwi (Melville and Bathurst Islands)

New Guinea

1. Abinomn (Baso, Foia) (north Irian)
2. Anêm (New Britain)
3. Ata (Pele-Ata, Wasi) (New Britain)
4. Busa (Sandaun)
5. Isirawa (north Irian)
6. Kol (New Britain)
7. Kuot (Panaras) (New Ireland)
8. Massep
9. Pyu
10. Sulka (New Britain)
11. Taiap (Gapun) (Sepik)
12. Yalë (Nagatman) (Sandaun)
13. Yawa (Geelvink Bay)
14. Yélî Dnye (Yele) (Rennell Island)
15. Yuri (Karkar) (Sandaun)

Asia

1. Ainu language or languages (Japan, Russia) (like Arabic or Japanese, the diversity within Ainu is large enough that some consider it to be perhaps up to a dozen languages while others consider it a single language with high dialectal diversity)
2. Nivkh or Gilyak (Russia) (sometimes linked to Chukchi–Kamchatkan)
3. Korean (North & South Korea, China, USA) (sometimes linked to Altaic)
4. Kusunda (Nepal)
5. Nihali (India) (sometimes linked to Munda)
6. Burushaski (Pakistan, India) (sometimes linked to Yeniseian)
7. Elamite (Iran) [extinct] (sometimes linked to Dravidian)
8. Sumerian (Iraq) [extinct]
9. Hattic (Turkey) [extinct] (sometimes linked to Northwest Caucasian)

Africa

1. Hadza (Tanzania)
2. Sandawe (Tanzania) (may be related to Khoe)
3. Bangime (Mali) (ethnically Dogon)

Europe

1. Basque (Spain, France) (related to extinct Aquitanian)

Unclassified languages

Languages are considered unclassified either because, for one reason or another, little effort has been made to compare them with other languages, or, more commonly, because they are too poorly documented to permit reliable classification. Most such languages are extinct and most likely will never be known well enough to classify.

Europe

1. Iberian (Spain) [extinct]
2. Tartessian (Spain, Portugal) [extinct]
3. North Picene (Italy) [extinct]
4. Pictish (Scotland) [extinct]

Africa

1. Ongota (perhaps Afro-Asiatic)
2. Kwadi (extinct; perhaps Khoe)
3. Dompo
4. Mpre (probably Niger–Congo)
5. Jalaa
6. Laal
7. Meroitic (extinct; proven to be Nilo-Saharan, esp. Nubian)
8. Shabo (probably Nilo-Saharan)
9. Bayot
10. Rimba

Asia

1. Quti [extinct]
2. Kaskian [extinct]
3. Cimmerian [extinct]

South America

1. Baenan (Brazil) [extinct]
2. Culle (Peru) [extinct]
3. Kunza (Chile, Bolivia, Argentina) [extinct]
4. Gamela (Brazil: Maranhão) [extinct]
5. Gorgotoqui (Bolivia) [extinct]
6. Huamoé (Brazil: Pernambuco) [extinct]
7. Malibu languages (Colombia) [extinct]
8. Munichi (Peru) [extinct]
9. Natú (Brazil: Pernambuco) [extinct]
10. Pankararú (Brazil: Pernambuco) [extinct]
11. Panzaleo (Ecuador) [extinct]
12. Sechura (Peru) [extinct]
13. Tarairiú (Brazil: Rio Grande do Norte) [extinct]
14. Taushiro (Peru)
15. Tuxá (Brazil: Bahia, Pernambuco) [extinct]
16. Xokó (Brazil: Alagoas, Pernambuco) [extinct]
17. Xukurú (Brazil: Pernambuco, Paraíba) [extinct]
18. Yurumanguí (Colombia) [extinct]

North America

1. Adai (US: Louisiana, Texas) [extinct]
2. Alagüilac (Guatemala)
3. Aranama-Tamique (US: Texas) [extinct]
4. Atakapa (US: Louisiana, Texas) [extinct]
5. Beothuk (Canada: Newfoundland) [extinct]
6. Calusa (US: Florida) [extinct]
7. Cayuse (US: Oregon, Washington) [extinct]
8. Cotoname (northeast Mexico; US: Texas) [extinct]
9. Maratino (northeastern Mexico) [extinct]
10. Naolan (Mexico: Tamaulipas) [extinct]
11. Quinigua (northeast Mexico) [extinct]
12. Solano (northeast Mexico; US: Texas) [extinct]

Mixed languages

Main article: Mixed languages

Mixed languages do not fit easily into language families.

Creoles

Main article: Creole language

Creole languages do not fit easily into language families.

Sign languages

See also: List of sign languages and Sign Language#Classification of sign languages

The family relationships of sign languages are not well established, and many are isolates (cf. Wittmann 1991).

• British
• French
• German
• Japanese
• Swedish

Proposed language stocks

Note that many of the listed proposals disagree with one another (for example Nostratic with Pontic, or Keresiouan with Hokan–Siouan).

• Proto-World
  • Amerind
    • Almosan–Keresiouan
      • Almosan (= Sapir's Algonkin–Wakashan)
        • Mosan
      • Keresiouan
        • Macro-Siouan
    • Algonkian–Gulf Algonquin, Algonkin
    • Andean
      • Quechumaran
    • Chibchan–Paezan
    • Central Amerind
      • Aztec–Tanoan
    • Coahuiltecan
    • Gulf
    • Hokan–Siouan
      • Hokan
    • Macro-Carib
    • Je–Tupi–Carib
      • Macro-Ge
    • Macro-Mayan
    • Macro-Panoan
    • Macro-Tucanoan
    • Penutian
    • Yuki–Wappo
  • Borean
    • Alarodian
    • Dene–Daic
      • Sino-Austronesian
      • Austric
        • Austro-Tai
      • Dene–Caucasian
        • Karasuk
    • Nostratic
      • Eurasiatic
        • Indo-Uralic languages
        • Ural–Altaic
        • Uralic–Yukaghir
        • Uralo-Siberian
    • Pontic
    • Ibero-Caucasian
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Kongo–Saharan
  • Macro-Khoisan
  • Na-Dene (Sapir's)

See also

• Language family
• International auxiliary language
• Constructed language
• Endangered language
• Extinct language
• Intercontinental Dictionary Series

External links

• Ethnologue
• MultiTree Project
• Number of speakers by language (Out of date)
• Comparative Swadesh list tables of various language families (from Wiktionary)