Glottolog
Glottolog is a bibliographic database of the world's lesser-known languages, developed and maintained first at the former Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, and since 2015 at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena, Germany. Its main curators include Harald Hammarström and Martin Haspelmath.
Overview
Glottolog provides a catalogue of the world's languages and language families and a bibliography on the world's less-spoken languages. It differs from the similar catalogue Ethnologue in several respects:- It tries to accept only those languages that the editors have been able to confirm both exist and are distinct. Varieties that have not been confirmed, but are inherited from another source, are tagged as "spurious" or "unattested".
- It attempts only to classify languages into families which have been demonstrated to be valid.
- Bibliographic information is provided, especially for lesser-known languages.
- To a limited extent, alternative names are listed according to the sources which use them.
The latest version is 4.2, released under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License in April 2020.
It is part of the Cross-Linguistic Linked Data project hosted by the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.
Language families
Glottolog is more conservative in its classification than most online databases in establishing membership of languages and groups within families but more liberal in considering unclassified languages to be isolates. Edition 4.2 lists 420 oral-language families and isolates as follows:| Name | Region | Languages |
| Atlantic-Congo | Africa, North America | 1,433 |
| Austronesian | Africa, Eurasia, Oceania, South America | 1,277 |
| Indo-European | Africa, Australia, Eurasia, North America, Oceania, South America | 589 |
| Sino-Tibetan | Eurasia | 496 |
| Afro-Asiatic | Africa, Eurasia | 375 |
| Nuclear Trans New Guinea | Oceania | 316 |
| Pama-Nyungan | Australia, Oceania | 248 |
| Otomanguean | North America | 180 |
| Austroasiatic | Eurasia | 156 |
| Tai-Kadai | Eurasia | 95 |
| Dravidian | Eurasia | 80 |
| Arawakan | North America, South America | 78 |
| Mande | Africa | 75 |
| Tupian | South America | 71 |
| Uto-Aztecan | North America | 69 |
| Central Sudanic | Africa | 64 |
| Nilotic | Africa | 55 |
| Nuclear Torricelli | Oceania | 55 |
| Uralic | Eurasia | 48 |
| Algic | North America | 46 |
| Athabaskan-Eyak-Tlingit | North America | 46 |
| Pano-Tacanan | South America | 45 |
| Quechuan | South America | 44 |
| Turkic | Eurasia | 44 |
| Cariban | South America | 42 |
| Hmong-Mien | Eurasia | 39 |
| Sepik | Oceania | 36 |
| Nakh-Daghestanian | Eurasia | 34 |
| Mayan | North America | 33 |
| Lower Sepik-Ramu | Oceania | 30 |
| Nuclear-Macro-Je | South America | 30 |
| Chibchan | North America, South America | 27 |
| Tucanoan | South America | 26 |
| Salishan | North America | 25 |
| Timor-Alor-Pantar | Oceania | 23 |
| Dogon | Africa | 20 |
| Lakes Plain | Oceania | 20 |
| Mixe-Zoque | North America | 19 |
| Ta-Ne-Omotic | Africa | 19 |
| Yam | Oceania | 19 |
| Siouan | North America | 18 |
| Anim | Oceania | 17 |
| Mongolic-Khitan | Eurasia | 16 |
| Border | Oceania | 15 |
| Japonic | Eurasia, Oceania | 15 |
| North Halmahera | Oceania | 15 |
| Khoe-Kwadi | Africa | 14 |
| Angan | Oceania | 13 |
| Ndu | Oceania | 13 |
| Nubian | Africa | 13 |
| Tor-Orya | Oceania | 13 |
| Tungusic | Eurasia | 13 |
| Chapacuran | South America | 12 |
| Eskimo-Aleut | Eurasia, North America | 12 |
| Gunwinyguan | Australia | 12 |
| Totonacan | North America | 12 |
| Cochimi-Yuman | North America | 11 |
| Iroquoian | North America | 11 |
| Miwok-Costanoan | North America | 11 |
| Surmic | Africa | 11 |
| Western Daly | Australia | 11 |
| Geelvink Bay | Oceania | 10 |
| Great Andamanese | Eurasia, Oceania | 10 |
| Heibanic | Africa | 10 |
| Ijoid | Africa | 10 |
| Maban | Africa | 10 |
| Nyulnyulan | Australia | 10 |
| Saharan | Africa | 10 |
| Sko | Oceania | 10 |
| Songhay | Africa | 10 |
| Worrorran | Australia | 10 |
| Chocoan | South America | 9 |
| Dagan | Oceania | 9 |
| South Bougainville | Oceania | 9 |
| Greater Kwerba | Oceania | 8 |
| Kiowa-Tanoan | North America | 8 |
| Koiarian | Oceania | 8 |
| Mailuan | Oceania | 8 |
| Narrow Talodi | Africa | 8 |
| Tuu | Africa | 8 |
| Bosavi | Oceania | 7 |
| Chukotko-Kamchatkan | Eurasia | 7 |
| Dajuic | Africa | 7 |
| Huitotoan | South America | 7 |
| Matacoan | South America | 7 |
| Muskogean | North America | 7 |
| Pomoan | North America | 7 |
| Arawan | South America | 6 |
| Baining | Oceania | 6 |
| Barbacoan | South America | 6 |
| Chumashan | North America | 6 |
| East Strickland | Oceania | 6 |
| Goilalan | Oceania | 6 |
| Kadugli-Krongo | Africa | 6 |
| Kartvelian | Eurasia | 6 |
| Kiwaian | Oceania | 6 |
| Left May | Oceania | 6 |
| Lengua-Mascoy | South America | 6 |
| Nambiquaran | South America | 6 |
| South Bird's Head Family | Oceania | 6 |
| Wakashan | North America | 6 |
| Yanomamic | South America | 6 |
| Zaparoan | South America | 6 |
| Abkhaz-Adyge | Eurasia | 5 |
| Caddoan | North America | 5 |
| Eleman | Oceania | 5 |
| Guahiboan | South America | 5 |
| Guaicuruan | South America | 5 |
| Koman | Africa | 5 |
| Kxa | Africa | 5 |
| Mirndi | Australia | 5 |
| Misumalpan | North America | 5 |
| Nimboranic | Oceania | 5 |
| Pauwasi | Oceania | 5 |
| Sahaptian | North America | 5 |
| South Omotic | Africa | 5 |
| West Bird's Head | Oceania | 5 |
| Xincan | North America | 5 |
| Yareban | Oceania | 5 |
| Yeniseian | Eurasia | 5 |
| Yuat | Oceania | 5 |
| Arafundi | Oceania | 4 |
| Aymaran | South America | 4 |
| Blue Nile Mao | Africa | 4 |
| Chicham | South America | 4 |
| Chinookan | North America | 4 |
| Chonan | South America | 4 |
| Eastern Jebel | Africa | 4 |
| Eastern Trans-Fly | Oceania | 4 |
| Huavean | North America | 4 |
| Iwaidjan Proper | Australia | 4 |
| Jodi-Saliban | South America | 4 |
| Kamakanan | South America | 4 |
| Maiduan | North America | 4 |
| Mangarrayi-Maran | Australia | 4 |
| Maningrida | Australia | 4 |
| Naduhup | South America | 4 |
| North Bougainville | Oceania | 4 |
| Sentanic | Oceania | 4 |
| Suki-Gogodala | Oceania | 4 |
| Tamaic | Africa | 4 |
| Tangkic | Australia | 4 |
| Turama-Kikori | Oceania | 4 |
| Walioic | Oceania | 4 |
| Yokutsan | North America | 4 |
| Yukaghir | Eurasia | 4 |
| Ainu | Eurasia | 3 |
| Bororoan | South America | 3 |
| Charruan | South America | 3 |
| Dizoid | Africa | 3 |
| East Bird's Head | Oceania | 3 |
| Giimbiyu | Australia | 3 |
| Gumuz | Africa | 3 |
| Jarrakan | Australia | 3 |
| Kalapuyan | North America | 3 |
| Kamula-Elevala | Oceania | 3 |
| Katla-Tima | Africa | 3 |
| Kawesqar | South America | 3 |
| Kayagaric | Oceania | 3 |
| Kolopom | Oceania | 3 |
| Kuliak | Africa | 3 |
| Kwalean | Oceania | 3 |
| Lepki-Murkim-Kembra | Oceania | 3 |
| Mairasic | Oceania | 3 |
| Peba-Yagua | South America | 3 |
| Shastan | North America | 3 |
| Tequistlatecan | North America | 3 |
| Tsimshian | North America | 3 |
| Ulmapo | Oceania | 3 |
| West Bomberai | Oceania | 3 |
| Yangmanic | Australia | 3 |
| Zamucoan | South America | 3 |
| Amto-Musan | Oceania | 2 |
| Araucanian | South America | 2 |
| Baibai-Fas | Oceania | 2 |
| Bayono-Awbono | Oceania | 2 |
| Bogia | Oceania | 2 |
| Boran | South America | 2 |
| Bulaka River | Oceania | 2 |
| Bunaban | Australia | 2 |
| Cahuapanan | South America | 2 |
| Chimakuan | North America | 2 |
| Coosan | North America | 2 |
| Doso-Turumsa | Oceania | 2 |
| East Kutubu | Oceania | 2 |
| Eastern Daly | Australia | 2 |
| Furan | Africa | 2 |
| Garrwan | Australia | 2 |
| Haida | North America | 2 |
| Harakmbut | South America | 2 |
| Hatam-Mansim | Oceania | 2 |
| Hibito-Cholon | South America | 2 |
| Huarpean | South America | 2 |
| Hurro-Urartian | Eurasia | 2 |
| Inanwatan | Oceania | 2 |
| Jarawa-Onge | Eurasia | 2 |
| Jicaquean | North America | 2 |
| Kakua-Nukak | South America | 2 |
| Katukinan | South America | 2 |
| Keresan | North America | 2 |
| Konda-Yahadian | Oceania | 2 |
| Koreanic | Eurasia | 2 |
| Kresh-Aja | Africa | 2 |
| Kwomtari-Nai | Oceania | 2 |
| Lencan | North America | 2 |
| Limilngan-Wulna | Australia | 2 |
| Manubaran | Oceania | 2 |
| Marrku-Wurrugu | Australia | 2 |
| Mombum-Koneraw | Oceania | 2 |
| Namla-Tofanma | Oceania | 2 |
| Nivkh | Eurasia | 2 |
| North-Eastern Tasmanian | Australia | 2 |
| Northern Daly | Australia | 2 |
| Nyimang | Africa | 2 |
| Otomaco-Taparita | South America | 2 |
| Pahoturi | Oceania | 2 |
| Palaihnihan | North America | 2 |
| Piawi | Oceania | 2 |
| Puri-Coroado | South America | 2 |
| Rashad | Africa | 2 |
| Senagi | Oceania | 2 |
| Somahai | Oceania | 2 |
| South-Eastern Tasmanian | Australia | 2 |
| Southern Daly | Australia | 2 |
| Tarascan | North America | 2 |
| Taulil-Butam | Oceania | 2 |
| Teberan | Oceania | 2 |
| Temeinic | Africa | 2 |
| Ticuna-Yuri | South America | 2 |
| Uru-Chipaya | South America | 2 |
| Western Tasmanian | Australia | 2 |
| Wintuan | North America | 2 |
| Yawa-Saweru | Oceania | 2 |
| Yuki-Wappo | North America | 2 |
| Abinomn | Oceania | 1 |
| Abun | Oceania | 1 |
| Adai | North America | 1 |
| Aewa | South America | 1 |
| Aikanã | South America | 1 |
| Alsea-Yaquina | North America | 1 |
| Ambakich | Oceania | 1 |
| Andaqui | South America | 1 |
| Andoque | South America | 1 |
| Anem | Oceania | 1 |
| Ap Ma | Oceania | 1 |
| Arutani | South America | 1 |
| Atacame | South America | 1 |
| Atakapa | North America | 1 |
| Bangime | Africa | 1 |
| Basque | Eurasia | 1 |
| Beothuk | North America | 1 |
| Berta | Africa | 1 |
| Betoi-Jirara | South America | 1 |
| Bilua | Oceania | 1 |
| Bogaya | Oceania | 1 |
| Burmeso | Oceania | 1 |
| Burushaski | Eurasia | 1 |
| Camsá | South America | 1 |
| Candoshi-Shapra | South America | 1 |
| Canichana | South America | 1 |
| Cayubaba | South America | 1 |
| Cayuse | North America | 1 |
| Chimariko | North America | 1 |
| Chitimacha | North America | 1 |
| Chono | South America | 1 |
| Coahuilteco | North America | 1 |
| Cofán | South America | 1 |
| Comecrudan | North America | 1 |
| Cotoname | North America | 1 |
| Cuitlatec | North America | 1 |
| Culli | South America | 1 |
| Damal | Oceania | 1 |
| Dem | Oceania | 1 |
| Dibiyaso | Oceania | 1 |
| Duna | Oceania | 1 |
| Elamite | Eurasia | 1 |
| Elseng | Oceania | 1 |
| Esselen | North America | 1 |
| Etruscan | Eurasia | 1 |
| Fasu | Oceania | 1 |
| Fulniô | South America | 1 |
| Gaagudju | Australia | 1 |
| Guachi | South America | 1 |
| Guaicurian | North America | 1 |
| Guamo | South America | 1 |
| Guató | South America | 1 |
| Gule | Africa | 1 |
| Guriaso | Oceania | 1 |
| Hadza | Africa | 1 |
| Hattic | Eurasia | 1 |
| Hruso | Eurasia | 1 |
| Iberian | Eurasia | 1 |
| Irántxe-Münkü | South America | 1 |
| Itonama | South America | 1 |
| Jalaa | Africa | 1 |
| Jirajaran | South America | 1 |
| Kaki Ae | Oceania | 1 |
| Kanoê | South America | 1 |
| Kapori | Oceania | 1 |
| Karami | Oceania | 1 |
| Karankawa | North America | 1 |
| Kariri | South America | 1 |
| Karok | North America | 1 |
| Kaure-Narau | Oceania | 1 |
| Kehu | Oceania | 1 |
| Kembra | Oceania | 1 |
| Kenaboi | Eurasia | 1 |
| Kibiri | Oceania | 1 |
| Kimki | Oceania | 1 |
| Klamath-Modoc | North America | 1 |
| Kol | Oceania | 1 |
| Kosadle | Oceania | 1 |
| Kujarge | Africa | 1 |
| Kunama | Africa | 1 |
| Kungarakany | Australia | 1 |
| Kunza | South America | 1 |
| Kuot | Oceania | 1 |
| Kusunda | Eurasia | 1 |
| Kutenai | North America | 1 |
| Kwaza | South America | 1 |
| Laal | Africa | 1 |
| Lafofa | Africa | 1 |
| Laragia | Australia | 1 |
| Lavukaleve | Oceania | 1 |
| Leco | South America | 1 |
| Lomeriano-Ignaciano Chiquitano | South America | 1 |
| Lule | South America | 1 |
| Máku | South America | 1 |
| Maratino | North America | 1 |
| Marori | Oceania | 1 |
| Massep | Oceania | 1 |
| Matanawí | South America | 1 |
| Mato Grosso Arára | South America | 1 |
| Mawes | Oceania | 1 |
| Maybrat-Karon | Oceania | 1 |
| Meroitic | Africa | 1 |
| Mimi-Gaudefroy | Africa | 1 |
| Minkin | Australia | 1 |
| Mochica | South America | 1 |
| Molale | North America | 1 |
| Molof | Oceania | 1 |
| Mor | Oceania | 1 |
| Mosetén-Chimané | South America | 1 |
| Movima | South America | 1 |
| Mpur | Oceania | 1 |
| Muniche | South America | 1 |
| Mure | South America | 1 |
| Nara | Africa | 1 |
| Natchez | North America | 1 |
| Nihali | Eurasia | 1 |
| Odiai | Oceania | 1 |
| Omurano | South America | 1 |
| Ongota | Africa | 1 |
| Oti | South America | 1 |
| Oyster Bay-Big River-Little Swanport | Australia | 1 |
| Páez | South America | 1 |
| Pankararú | South America | 1 |
| Papi | Oceania | 1 |
| Pawaia | Oceania | 1 |
| Payagua | South America | 1 |
| Pele-Ata | Oceania | 1 |
| Pirahã | South America | 1 |
| Puelche | South America | 1 |
| Puinave | South America | 1 |
| Pumé | South America | 1 |
| Puquina | South America | 1 |
| Purari | Oceania | 1 |
| Pyu | Oceania | 1 |
| Ramanos | South America | 1 |
| Salinan | North America | 1 |
| Sandawe | Africa | 1 |
| Sapé | South America | 1 |
| Sause | Oceania | 1 |
| Savosavo | Oceania | 1 |
| Sechuran | South America | 1 |
| Seri | North America | 1 |
| Shabo | Africa | 1 |
| Shom Peng | Eurasia | 1 |
| Siamou | Africa | 1 |
| Siuslaw | North America | 1 |
| Sulka | Oceania | 1 |
| Sumerian | Eurasia | 1 |
| Tabo | Oceania | 1 |
| Taiap | Oceania | 1 |
| Takelma | North America | 1 |
| Tallán | South America | 1 |
| Tambora | Oceania | 1 |
| Tanahmerah | Oceania | 1 |
| Taruma | South America | 1 |
| Taushiro | South America | 1 |
| Timote-Cuica | South America | 1 |
| Timucua | North America | 1 |
| Tinigua | South America | 1 |
| Tiwi | Australia | 1 |
| Tonkawa | North America | 1 |
| Touo | Oceania | 1 |
| Trumai | South America | 1 |
| Tunica | North America | 1 |
| Tuxá | South America | 1 |
| Umbugarla | Australia | 1 |
| Urarina | South America | 1 |
| Usku | Oceania | 1 |
| Vilela | South America | 1 |
| Wadjiginy | Australia | 1 |
| Wageman | Australia | 1 |
| Waorani | South America | 1 |
| Warao | South America | 1 |
| Washo | North America | 1 |
| Wiru | Oceania | 1 |
| Xukurú | South America | 1 |
| Yale | Oceania | 1 |
| Yámana | South America | 1 |
| Yana | North America | 1 |
| Yele | Oceania | 1 |
| Yerakai | Oceania | 1 |
| Yetfa | Oceania | 1 |
| Yuchi | North America | 1 |
| Yuracaré | South America | 1 |
| Yurumanguí | South America | 1 |
| Zuni | North America | 1 |
Creoles are classified with the language that supplied their basic lexicon.
In addition to the families and isolates listed above, Glottolog uses several non-genealogical families for various languages:
- Pidgins
- Mixed languages
- Artificial languages
- Speech registers
- Sign languages
- Unclassifiable attested languages
- Unattested languages
- Bookkeeping: spurious languages, such as retired ISO entries; kept for bookkeeping purposes