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List of language families

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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
    Map of the main language families of the world
  • The language families of Africa
    The language families of Africa
  • Map of the Austronesian languages
    Map of the Austronesian languages
  • Map of major Dravidian languages
    Map of major Dravidian languages
  • Distribution of the Indo-European language family branches across Eurasia
    Distribution of the Indo-European language family branches across Eurasia
  • Area of the Papuan languages
    Area of the Papuan languages
  • Map of the Australian languages
    Map of the Australian languages
  • Distribution of language families and isolates north of Mexico at first contact
    Distribution of language families and isolates north of Mexico at first contact
  • The major South American language families
    The major South American language families
  • Ethnolinguistic groups of mainland Southeast Asia
    Ethnolinguistic groups of mainland Southeast Asia
  • Caucasian languages
    Caucasian languages
  • Distribution of the Uralic, Altaic, and Yukaghir languages
    Distribution of the Uralic, Altaic, and Yukaghir languages


Family Languages[1] Current speakers[2] 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
Berta 6 380,000 Africa Nilo-Saharan
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
Kunama 2 181,000 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
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 23 7,383,320 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
Tyrsenian 3 or 4 extinct 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[3] 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
Yukaghir 4 516 Eurasia
Sino-Tibetan 514 1,385,995,195 Eurasia
Mijiic 2 29,500 Eurasia [[Sino-Tibetan languages|Sino-Tibetan]
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 376 3,678,184 New Guinea
Torricelli 57 114,565 New Guinea
Sepik 49 263,404 New Guinea
Lower Sepik 6 13,070 New Guinea Ramu–Lower Sepik languages
Timor–Alor–Pantar 23 380,120 New Guinea Trans–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
Geelvink Bay 10 8,005 New Guinea
Sko 10 5,665 New Guinea
South Bougainville 9 68,700 New Guinea
Baining 6 13,800 New Guinea
Strickland 8 6,175 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
Foja Range 26 23,845 New Guinea
Pauwasi 5 3,880 New Guinea
West Bird's Head 5 20,090 New Guinea West Papuan
Yuat 5 7,700 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
Kikorian 6 13,510 New Guinea
Walio 4 856 New Guinea
East Bird's Head 3 34,800 New Guinea West Papuan
Mairasi 3 4,385 New Guinea
Amto–Musan 2 720 New Guinea
Baibai-Fas 2 2,840 New Guinea Left May – Kwomtari, Kwomtari–Fas
Bulaka River 3 520 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
Senu River 3 1,510 New Guinea Left May–Kwomtari or Kwomtari–Fas
Lepki-Murkim-Kembra 3 840 New Guinea
Namla-Tofanma 2 280 New Guinea
Pahoturi 2 4,050 New Guinea
Madang-Upper Yuat 112 extinct New Guinea
Senagi 2 2,960 New Guinea
Taulil-Butam 2 2,000 New Guinea
Ramu 29 64,730 New Guinea Ramu–Lower Sepik
Teberan–Pawaian 4 37,100 New Guinea
Yawa-Saweru 2 10,300 New Guinea West Papuan
Central Solomon 4 14,800 New Guinea
Chimbu-Wahgi 15 613,400 New Guinea
Engan 9 606,930 New Guinea
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
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
Northeastern Tasmanian 2 extinct Australia
Northern Daly 2 8 Australia
Southeastern Tasmanian 2 extinct Australia
Western Tasmanian 2 extinct Australia
Northern Tasmanian 2 extinct Australia
Eskaleut 10 108,705 North America, Eurasia
Na-Dene 46 208,552 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
Pakawan 5 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
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
Tanoan–Kiowa 6 6,000 North America Aztec–Tanoan
Caddoan 5 46 North America Macro-Siouan
Totonacan 12 282,250 North America Totozoquean
Oto-Manguean 176 1,678,214 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
Nukak-Kakwa 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
Kariri 4 extinct 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
Catacaoan 3 extinct South America
Jirajaran 3 extinct South America
Lule-Vilela 2 extinct South America
Timotean 2 200 South America
Tiniguan 3 1 South America

Sign language families

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

The family relationships of sign languages are not well established due to a lagging in linguistic research, and many are isolates (cf. Wittmann 1991).[4]

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

References

  1. ^ "Glottolog 5.0 -". glottolog.org. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
  2. ^ "What are the largest language families?". Ethnologue. May 25, 2019.
  3. ^ "North Caucasian". Ethnologue. Archived from the original on July 2, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  4. ^ Wittmann, Henri (1991). "Classification linguistique des langues signées non vocalement" (PDF). Revue québécoise de linguistique théorique et appliquée (in French). 10 (1): 215–288.
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