List of endangered languages in Asia


An endangered language is a language that is at risk of falling out of use, generally because it has few surviving speakers. If it loses all of its native speakers, it becomes an extinct language. A language may be endangered in one area but show signs of revitalisation in another, as with the Irish language.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization defines five levels of language endangerment between "safe" and "extinct":
The list below includes the findings from the third edition of Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger, as well as the online edition of the aforementioned publication, both published by UNESCO.

Afghanistan

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Ashkun languageDefinitely endangered ask
Brahui languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Pakistanbrh
Central Asian Arabic languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Uzbekistan, Tajikistanabh, auz
Gambiri language
Severely endangered trm
Gawar-Bati languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Pakistangwt
Kati languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Pakistanbsh, xvi
Moghol languageCritically endangered mhj
Munji languageSeverely endangered mnj
Ningalami languageSeverely endangered nli
Ormuri languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Pakistanoru
Parachi languageDefinitely endangered prc
Parya languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Uzbekistan, Tajikistanpaq
Pashayi languageVulnerable aee, glh, psh, psi
Prasun language
Wasi-wari language
Definitely endangered prn
Rushani languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Tajikistansgh
Sanglechi languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Tajikistansgl
Savi languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Pakistansdg
Shughni languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Tajikistansgh
Shumashti languageSeverely endangered sts
Tirahi languageCritically endangered tra
Waigali languageDefinitely endangered wbk
Wakhi languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: China, Pakistan, Tajikistanwbl
Wotapuri-Katarqalai languageDefinitely endangered wsv

Armenia

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkeyaii
Pontic Greek languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Georgia, Greece, Russia, Turkey, Ukrainepnt

Azerbaijan

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Budukh languageSeverely endangered bdk
Juhuri language
Judeo-Tat language
Definitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Russiajdt
Khinalug languageSeverely endangered kjj
Kryz languageSeverely endangered kry
Lezgian languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Russialez
Rutul languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Russiarut
Talysh languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Irantly
Tat languageSeverely endangered ttt
Tsakhur languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Russiatkr
Udi languageSeverely endangered udi

Bangladesh

Bhutan

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Black Mountain Monpa language
'Ole language
Definitely endangered ole
Brokkat languageDefinitely endangered bro
Brokpa languageDefinitely endangered sgt
Bumthang languageVulnerable kjz
Chali languageDefinitely endangered tgf
Chocangaca languageDefinitely endangered cgk
Dakpa languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Indiadka
Dzala languageVulnerable dzl
Dzongkha languageVulnerable dzo
Gongduk languageVulnerable goe
Kheng languageVulnerable xkf
Kurtöp languageVulnerable xkz
Lakha languageDefinitely endangered lkh
Lepcha languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: India, Nepallep
Lhokpu languageDefinitely endangered lhp
Nupbikha languageVulnerable npb
Nyenkha languageVulnerable neh
Tawang languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: China, Indiatwm
Tshangla languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: China, Indiatsj

Burma (Myanmar)

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Akeu languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Laos, Thailandaeu
Amok languageCritically endangeredAlso spoken in: China, Laos, Thailandmqt
Angku languageCritically endangered
Anung languageSeverely endangered nun
Bisu languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Thailandbzi
Chothe languageDefinitely endangered nct
Danaw languageCritically endangered dnu
Ganan languageSeverely endangered zkn
Kadu languageSeverely endangered kdv
Laomian languageDefinitely endangered lwm
Moklen languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Thailandmwt
Mon languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Thailandmnw
Mru languageSeverely endangered mro
Palaung languageSeverely endangered pce
Pale languageSeverely endangered pce
Riang languageCritically endangered ril
Rumai languageSeverely endangered rbb
Sak languageVulnerable ckh
Tailoi languageCritically endangered tlq
Taruang languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: China, Indiamhu
Wa languageSeverely endangered prk or wbm

Cambodia

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Brao languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Laos, Vietnambrb
Chong languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Thailandcog
Kaco' languageDefinitely endangered xkk
Kasong languageCritically endangeredAlso spoken in: Thailandhas no iso code
Kraol languageCritically endangered rka
Kravet languageCritically endangered krv
Krueng languageSeverely endangered krr
Kuay languageSeverely endangered kdt
Pear languageSeverely endangered pcb
Phnong languageSeverely endangered cmo
Sa'och languageCritically endangeredAlso known as: Chung
Also spoken in: Thailand
scq
Somray languageCritically endangeredAlso spoken in: Thailandsmu
Samre languageCritically endangered sxm
Song languageCritically endangered
Stieng languageSeverely endangered sti or stt
Tampuan languageSeverely endangered tpu
Western Cham languageVulnerable cja

China

Cyprus

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Cypriot Arabic languageSeverely endangered acy

East Timor

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Adabe languageVulnerable adb
Habu languageVulnerable hbu
Kairui-Midiki languageVulnerable krd
Maku'a languageCritically endangered lva
Naueti languageVulnerable nxa
Waima'a languageDefinitely endangered wmh

Georgia

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Abkhaz languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Russia, Turkeyabk
Bats languageSeverely endangered bbl
Bohtan Neo-Aramaic languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Russiabhn
Homshetsma language
Homshetsi dialect
Severely endangeredAlso spoken in: Russiahye
Laz languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Turkeylzz
Mingrelian languageDefinitely endangered xmf
Ossete languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Russiaoss
Pontic Greek languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Armenia, Greece, Russia, Turkey, Ukrainepnt
Svan languageDefinitely endangered sva
Udi languageSeverely endangered udi
Urum languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Russia, Ukraineuum

India

Indonesia

Iran

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Ashtiani languageDefinitely endangered atn

Iraq

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Adyge languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Israel, Jordan, Macedonia, Russia, Syria, Turkeyady
Hawrami languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Iranbjm, hac, sdb, sdf
Mandaic languageCritically endangeredAlso spoken in: Iranmid
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Armenia, Iran, Syria, Turkeyaii, cld
Western Armenian languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Lebanon, Syriahye

Israel

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Adyge languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Iraq, Jordan, Macedonia, Russia, Syria, Turkeyady
Barzani Jewish Neo-Aramaic languageCritically endangered bjf
Domari languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syriarmt
Hulaula language
Hulaulá language
Severely endangered huy
Judeo-Berber languageSeverely endangered jbe
Judezmo languageSeverely endangered lad
Juhuri languageDefinitely endangered jdt
Lishan Didan languageSeverely endangered trg
Lishana Deni languageSeverely endangered lsd
Lishanid Noshan languageSeverely endangered aij
Moroccan Judeo-Arabic languageDefinitely endangered aju
Judeo-Tunisian Arabic languageSeverely endangered ajt
Yiddish languageDefinitely endangered ydd

Japan

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Ainu languageCritically endangered ain
Amami languageDefinitely endangered ams, kzg, ryn, tkn
Hachijō languageDefinitely endangered
Kunigami languageDefinitely endangered okn, xug, yox
Miyako languageDefinitely endangered mvi
Okinawan languageDefinitely endangered ryu
Yaeyama languageSeverely endangered rys
Yonaguni languageSeverely endangered yoi

Jordan

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Adyge languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Iraq, Israel, Macedonia, Russia, Syria, Turkeyady
Domari languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syriarmt

Kazakhstan

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Dungan languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Kyrgyzstandng

Korea

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Jeju languageCritically endangered jje

Kyrgyzstan

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Dungan languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Kazakhstandng
Oyrat languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: China, Mongoliaxal

Laos

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Aheu languageDefinitely endangered thm
Akeu languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Burma, Thailandaeu
Amok languageCritically endangeredAlso spoken in: China, Burma, Thailandmqt
Arem languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Vietnamaem
Bana languageSeverely endangered phq
Brao languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Cambodia, Vietnambrb
Chatong languageDefinitely endangered
Chepya languageDefinitely endangered ycp
Dakkang languageDefinitely endangered
Hung languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Vietnamhnu
Juk languageDefinitely endangered
Kri languageSeverely endangered aem
Maleng languageDefinitely endangered pkt
May languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Vietnamscb
Mlabri languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Thailandmra
Mok languageDefinitely endangered tlq
O’du languageCritically endangered tyh
Phong languageDefinitely endangered hnu, tmk
Phunoi languageVulnerablecould be multiple languagespho
Phong languageDefinitely endangered pnx
Psing languageDefinitely endangered bgk
Ruc languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Vietnamscb
Sach languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Vietnamscb
Saek languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Thailandskb
Sila language Definitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Vietnamslt
Tai Daeng languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Vietnamtyr
Tai Neua languageVulnerable tdd
Thavung languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Thailandthm
Theen languageSeverely endangered
Triw languageDefinitely endangered kuf?
Tum languageDefinitely endangered tmk

Lebanon

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Domari languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Libya, Palestine, Syriarmt
Western Armenian languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Iraq, Syriahye

Malaysia

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Abai Sungai languageDefinitely endangered abf
Batek languageCritically endangered btq
Cheq Wong languageDefinitely endangered cwg
Duano' languageCritically endangered dup
Jah Hut languageSeverely endangered jah
Jahai languageCritically endangered jhi
Kanowit languageSeverely endangered kxn
Kensiw languageCritically endangered kns
Kintaq languageCritically endangered knq
Kristang languageSeverely endangered mcm
Lanoh languageCritically endangered lnh
Mah Meri languageSeverely endangered mhe
Menriq languageCritically endangered mnq
Jakun languageDefinitely endangered jak
Orang Seletar languageSeverely endangered ors
Punan Batu languageCritically endangered pnm
Semai languageSeverely endangered sca
Semaq Beri languageCritically endangered szc
Semelai languageSeverely endangered sza
Sian languageSeverely endangered spg
Temiar languageDefinitely endangered tea
Temuan languageSeverely endangered tmw
Ukit language umi

Mongolia

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Buryat languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Chinabxm, bxr, bxu
Dukha languageSeverely endangered
Evenki languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Russiaevn, orh
Khamnigan Mongol languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: China, Russia
Khövsgöl Uryangkhay languageCritically endangered
Oyrat languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: China, Kyrgyzstanxal
Tuvan languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: China, Russiatyv

Nepal

Oman

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Bathari languageCritically endangered bhm
Harsusi languageDefinitely endangered hss
Hobyot languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Yemenhoh
Jibbali languageSeverely endangered shv
Khojki language
Luwati language
Severely endangered luv
Kumzari languageSeverely endangered zum
Mehri languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Yemengdq
Zidgali languageCritically endangered

Pakistan

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Balti languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Indiabft
Bashkarik languageDefinitely endangered gwc, xka
Badeshi languageCritically endangered bdz
Bateri languageDefinitely endangered btv
Bhadravahi languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Indiabhd
Brahui languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Afghanistanbrh
Burushaski languageVulnerable bsk
Chilisso languageSeverely endangered clh
Dameli languageSeverely endangered dml
Domaaki languageSeverely endangered dmk
Gawar-Bati languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Afghanistangwt
Gowro languageSeverely endangered gwf
Jad languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Indiajda
Kalasha languageSeverely endangered Not to be confused with Kalasha-ala languagekls
Kalkoti languageSeverely endangered
Kati language
Kamkata-viri language, Kata-vari dialect
Kamviri dialect
Definitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Afghanistanbsh, xvi
Khowar languageVulnerable khw
Kundal Shahi languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: India
Maiya languageVulnerable mvy
Ormuri languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Afghanistanoru
Phalura languageDefinitely endangered phl
Purik languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Indiaprx
Savi languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Afghanistansdg
Spiti languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Indiaspt
Torwali languageDefinitely endangered trw
Ushojo languageDefinitely endangered ush
Wakhi languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: China, Tajikistan, Afghanistanwbl
Yidgha languageDefinitely endangered ydg
Zangskari languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Indiazau

Palestine

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Domari languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Syriarmt

Philippines

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Alabat Island Agta languageCritically endangered dul
Bataan Ayta languageDefinitely endangered ayt
Batak languageDefinitely endangered bya
Camarines Norte Agta languageSeverely endangered abd
Central Cagayan Agta languageVulnerable agt
Dupaninan Agta languageVulnerable duo
Faire Atta languageSeverely endangered azt
Isarog Agta languageCritically endangered agk
Mt. Iraya Agta languageDefinitely endangered atl
Northern Alta languageSeverely endangered aqn
Ratagnon languageSeverely endangered btn
Sorsogon Ayta languageCritically endangered ays

Russia

Sri Lanka

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Vedda languageDefinitely endangeredmay be extinct ved

Syria

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Adyge languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Macedonia, Russia, Turkeyady
Domari languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestinermt
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Turkeyaii, cld
Turoyo languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Turkeytru
Western Armenian languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Iraq, Lebanonhye
Western Neo-Aramaic languageDefinitely endangered amw

Taiwan

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Amis languageVulnerableAmis was added to the list as "Vulnerable" in June, 2017ami
Bunun languageDefinitely endangered bnn
Kanakanabu languageCritically endangered xnb
Kavalan languageCritically endangered ckv
Nataoran languageCritically endangered ais
Paiwan languageVulnerable pwn
Pyuma languageVulnerablePyuma was added to the list as "Vulnerable" in June, 2017pyu
Rukai languageVulnerable dru
Saaroa languageCritically endangered sxr
Saisiyat languageSeverely endangered xsy
Taroko languageVulnerableTaroko was added to the list as "Vulnerable" in June, 2017trv
Tayal languageVulnerableTayal was added to the list as "Vulnerable" in June, 2017tay
Thao languageCritically endangered ssf
Tsou languageVulnerableTsou was added to the list as "Vulnerable" in June, 2017tsy
Yami languageVulnerableYami was added to the list as "Vulnerable" in June, 2017tao

Tajikistan

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Bartangi languageSeverely endangered sgh
Central Asian Arabic languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Uzbekistan, Afghanistanabh, auz
Ishkashimi languageSeverely endangered sgl
Parya languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Uzbekistan, Afghanistanpaq
Roshorvi languageSeverely endangered sgh
Rushani languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Afghanistansgh
Sanglechi languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Afghanistansgl
Shughni languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Afghanistansgh
Wakhi languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: China, Pakistan, Afghanistanwbl
Yaghnobi languageDefinitely endangered yai
Yazgulami languageSeverely endangered yah

Thailand

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Akeu languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Laos, Burmaaeu
Amok languageCritically endangeredAlso spoken in: China, Laos, Burmamqt
Bisu languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Burmabzi
Bru languageDefinitely endangered brv
Chong languageSeverely endangeredEthnic remnant in: Cambodiacog
Gong languageSeverely endangered ugo
Kasong languageCritically endangeredAlso spoken in: Cambodia
Kensiw languageSeverely endangered kns
Kuy languageDefinitely endangered nyl ?
Lavua languageDefinitely endangered lcp
Lua languageDefinitely endangered prb
Maniq languageDefinitely endangered tnz
Mlabri languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Laosmra
Mok languageDefinitely endangeredmqt
Moklen languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Burmamwt
Mon languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Burmamnw
Mpi languageDefinitely endangered mpz
Nyah Kur languageDefinitely endangered cbn
Pattani Malay languageVulnerable mfa
Saek languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Laosskb
Sa'och languageCritically endangeredAlso known as: Chung
Also spoken in: Cambodia
scq
Somray languageCritically endangeredAlso spoken in: Cambodiasmu
Thavung languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Laosthm
Urak Lawoi languageDefinitely endangered urk

Turkey

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Abaza languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Russiaabq
Abkhaz languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Georgia, Russiaabk
Adyge languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Macedonia, Russia, Syriaady
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Syriaaii, cld
Gagauz languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Greece, Macedoniabgx, gag
Hértevin languageCritically endangered hrt
Homshetsma languageDefinitely endangered hye
Judezmo languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Morocco, Romania, Serbialad
Kabard-Cherkes languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Russiakbd
Laz languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Georgialzz
Pontic Greek languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Armenia, Georgia, Greece, Russia, Ukrainepnt
Romani languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Albania, Germany, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, United Kingdom, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Serbia, Montenegrormc, rmf, rml, rmn, rmo, rmw, rmy
Turoyo languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Syriatru
Western Armenian languageDefinitely endangered hye
Zazaki languageVulnerable zza

Turkmenistan

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Trukhmen languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Russia

Uzbekistan

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Bukharic languageDefinitely endangered bhh
Central Asian Arabic languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Tajikistan, Afghanistanabh, auz
Parya languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Tajikistan, Afghanistanpaq

Vietnam

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Arem languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Laosaem
Baheng languageVulnerable pha
Brao languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Cambodia, Laosbrb
Chrau languageDefinitely endangered crw
Chru languageVulnerable cje
Côông languageDefinitely endangered cnc
Cosung languageDefinitely endangered lkc
Eastern Cham languageDefinitely endangered cjm
En languageCritically endangered enc
Green Gelao languageCritically endangered giq
Hung languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Laoshnu
O'du languageCritically endangered tyh
Kháng languageSeverely endangered. Compare to Quang Lam language, Kháng language kjm
Lachi languageDefinitely endangered lwh
Laghuu languageDefinitely endangered lgh
Laha languageDefinitely endangered lha
Mang languageDefinitely endangered zng
May languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Laosscb
Mo'ang languageDefinitely endangered
Nguon languageVulnerable nuo
Nung Ven languageVulnerable enc
Phula languageDefinitely endangered ypa, ypg, ypo, yip, ypn, yhl, ypb, phh, ypm, ypp, yph, ypz
Red Gelao languageCritically endangered gir
Ruc languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Laosscb
Sach languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Laosscb
Sila language Definitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Laosslt
Tai Daeng languageVulnerableAlso spoken in: Laostyr
White Gelao languageSeverely endangered giw

Yemen

LanguageStatusCommentsISO 639-3
Hobyot languageSeverely endangeredAlso spoken in: Omanhoh
Mehri languageDefinitely endangeredAlso spoken in: Omangdq
Razihi languageDefinitely endangered
Soqotri languageSeverely endangered sqt