List of endangered languages in South America
An endangered language is a language that it 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. UNESCO defines four levels of language endangerment between "safe" and "extinct":
- Vulnerable
- Definitely endangered
- Severely endangered
- Critically endangered
[Argentina]
Language | Comments | Speakers | Source |
Chiriguano language | 15,000 | Red Book | |
Chorote language | See also Matacoan languages | Red Book | |
Guarani Correntino language | Red Book | ||
Mapuche language | Red Book | ||
Mbya Guarani language | Red Book | ||
Mocovi language | 4,500 | Red Book | |
Nivacle language | Red Book | ||
Pilaga language | 4,000 | Red Book | |
Quichua Santiagueno language | 60,000 | Red Book | |
Tapiete language | Red Book | ||
Tehuelche | Chonan languages | extinct | |
Toba Sur language | Red Book | ||
Wichi language | Red Book |
[Bolivia]
Language | Comments | Speakers | Source |
Araona language | 110 | Red Book | |
Ayoreo language | Red Book | ||
Baure language | 13 | ||
Bororo language | Red Book | ||
Callahuaya language | Red Book | ||
Cavinena language | 1,700 | Red Book | |
Chacobo language | 550 | Red Book | |
Chimane language | 5,300 | Red Book | |
Chipaya language | 1,200 | Red Book | |
Chiquitano language | Red Book | ||
Chorote language | Red Book | ||
Chulupi-Ashlushlay language | Red Book | ||
Esse Ejja language | Red Book | ||
Guarani Chiriguano language | 33,670 | Red Book | |
Guarayo language | Red Book | ||
Ignaciano language | See also Moxos language | Red Book | |
Itonama language | 5 | ||
Leco language | 20 | ||
Machineri language | Red Book | ||
Mataco language | Red Book | ||
Moseten language | Red Book | ||
Movima language | 1,400 | Red Book | |
Pacahuara language | 17 18 | ||
Paunaca language | Red Book | ||
Pauserna-Guarasugwe language | Red Book | ||
Reyesano language | Possibly a few speakers | ||
Siriono language | Red Book | ||
Tacana language | Red Book | ||
Tapiete language | Red Book | ||
Toba language | Red Book | ||
Toromona language | Red Book | ||
Trinitario language | Red Book | ||
Uru language | 2 | ||
Yaminahua language | Red Book | ||
Yuqui language | 120 | Red Book | |
Yuracare language | 2,700 | Red Book |
[Brazil]
Language | Comments | Speakers | Source |
Anambe language | 7 77 | ||
Apiaca language | 2 | ||
Arikapu language | 6 | ||
Arua language | 12 | ||
Arutani language | 17 in Brazil Population total all countries: 19 | ||
Cafundo Creole language | 40. | ||
Guato language | 40 382. | ||
Himarima language | 40. | ||
Jabuti language | 5. | ||
Juma language | 4 There were 300 in 1940. | ||
Karahawyana language | 40. | ||
Karipuna language | 12 to 15. | ||
Katawixi language | 10. | ||
Katukina language | 1 360. | ||
Kreye language | 30. | ||
Mapidian language | 50 in Brazil. | ||
Monde language | 30. | ||
Ofaye language | 15 37. | ||
Omagua language | There may be none left in Brazil. | ||
Oro Win language | 5 55. | ||
Piraha language | 150 speakers in 2004. Ethnic population: 200. | ||
Purubora language | 2. | ||
Sikiana language | 33 in Brazil Population total all countries: 48. | ||
Tariano language | 100 in Brazil 1,500 in Brazil. | ||
Torá language | 40 120. | ||
Xipaya language | 2. |
[Chile]
Language | Comments | Speakers | Source |
Aymara language | Red Book | ||
Huilliche language | Red Book | ||
Kawesqar language | Alacaluf | 20 Population includes 10 in Puerto Eden. | Red Book |
Mapuche language | Red Book | ||
Ona language | Red Book | ||
Yaghan language | 1 |
[Colombia]
[Ecuador]
Language | Comments | Speakers | Source |
Achuar-Shiwiar language | Red Book | ||
Awapit language | Red Book | ||
Chachi language | Red Book | ||
Cofan language | Red Book | ||
Epera language | Red Book | ||
Huaorani language | Red Book | ||
Secoya language | Red Book | ||
Shuar language | Red Book | ||
Siona language | Red Book | ||
Tsafiqui language | Red Book | ||
Zaparo language | 1 170. |
[French Guiana]
[Guyana]
Language | Comments | Speakers | Source |
Akawaio language | Red Book | ||
Arekuna language | Red Book | ||
Karina language | Red Book | ||
Lokono language | Red Book | ||
Makushi language | Red Book | ||
Mawayana language | 50 | ||
Patamona language | Red Book | ||
Wapishana language | Red Book | ||
Warao language | Red Book |
[Paraguay]
[Peru]
[Suriname]
Language | Comments | Speakers | Source |
Akurio language | 10 | ||
Carib language | Red Book | ||
Lokono language | Red Book | ||
Mawayana language | Red Book | ||
Sikiana language | 15 in Suriname. | ||
Trio language | Red Book | ||
Tunayana language | Red Book | ||
Wayana language | Red Book |
[Venezuela]
Language | Comments | Speakers | Source |
Akawaio language | Red Book | ||
Anun language | Red Book | ||
Arutani language | 2 in Venezuela. | ||
Baniva language | Red Book | ||
Bari language | Red Book | ||
Cuiba language | Red Book | ||
Guahibo language | Red Book | ||
Guajiro language | Red Book | ||
Hoti language | Red Book | ||
Karina language | Red Book | ||
Kurripako language | Red Book | ||
Lokono language | Red Book | ||
Mako language | Red Book | ||
Makushi language | Red Book | ||
Mandahuaca language | Red Book | ||
Mapoyo language | 3. | ||
Nengatu language | Red Book | ||
Panare language | Red Book | ||
Patamona language | Red Book | ||
Pemono language | 1 | ||
Pepojivi language | Red Book | ||
Piapoko language | Red Book | ||
Piaroa language | Red Book | ||
Puinave language | Red Book | ||
Sape language | 5 | ||
Saliva language | Red Book | ||
Sanema language | Red Book | ||
Tunebo language | Red Book | ||
Uruak language | Red Book | ||
Warao language | Red Book | ||
Warekena language | Red Book | ||
Yabarana language | 20. | ||
Yanam language | Red Book | ||
Yanomam language | Red Book | ||
Yanomami language | Red Book | ||
Yaruro language | Red Book | ||
Yekuana language | Red Book | ||
Yukpa language | Red Book |