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=
File:Primary Human Languages Improved Version.png|Map of the main language families of the world
File:Africa ethnic groups 1996.jpg|The language families of Africa
File:Austronesia Map.jpg|Map of the Austronesian languages
File:Dravidian subgroups.png|Map of major Dravidian languages
File:Indo-European Language Family Branches in Eurasia.png|Distribution of the Indo-European language family branches across Eurasia
File:Area of Papuan languages.svg|Area of the Papuan languages
File:Australian language families.png|Map of the Australian languages
File:Langs N.Amer.png|Distribution of language families and isolates north of Mexico at first contact
File:SouthAmerican families 02.png|The major South American language families
File:Ethnolinguistic Groups of Mainland Southeast Asia.png|Ethnolinguistic groups of mainland Southeast Asia
File:Caucasian Peoples and Languages as of 1990-2010.gif|Caucasian languages
File:Linguistic map of the Altaic, Turkic and Uralic languages (en).png|Distribution of the Uralic, Altaic, and Yukaghir languages
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| class="wikitable sortable sticky-header" style="text-align:center;" |
| Family
!data-sort-type=number | Languages{{Cite web |title=Glottolog 5.0 - |url=https://glottolog.org/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=glottolog.org}} !data-sort-type=number | Current speakers{{Cite web|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/guides/largest-families|title=What are the largest language families?|date=May 25, 2019|website=Ethnologue}} !Location !Proposed parent family |
|---|
| Afroasiatic
|381 |499,294,669 | |
| Aroid
|5 |438,100 |
| Atlantic–Congo
|1,410 |500,000,000 |
| Berta
|6 |380,000 |
| Central Sudanic
|63 |9,145,280 |
| Daju
|7 |261,000 |
| Dizoid
|3 |88,840 |
| Dogon
|20 |630,820 |
| Eastern Jebel
|4 |104,600 |
| Fur
|2 |786,900 |
| Gumuz
|3 |253,680 |
| Heiban
|10 |276,690 |
| Ijaw
|9 |3,221,650 |
| Kadu
|6 |120,600 |
| Katla-Tima
|3 |25,000 |
| Khoe-Kwadi
|14 |337,337 | |
| Koman
|5 |94,000 |
| Kresh-Aja
|3 |48,200 |
| Kru
|38 |3,800,000 |
| Kuliak
|3 |14,070 |
| Kunama
|2 |181,000 |
| Kx'a
|5 |104,000 | |
| Maban
|10 |1,115,260 |
| Mande
|75 |27,003,000 |
| Nilotic
|55 |33,306,780 |
| Nubian
|13 |842,050 |
| Nyima
|2 |162,000 |
| Rashad
|2 |126,000 |
| Saharan
|10 |10,940,500 |
| Songhay
|10 |3,228,000 |
| Surmic
|11 |544,680 | |
| Talodi
|8 |112,250 |
| Taman
|4 |128,800 | |
| Ta-Ne-Omotic
|23 |7,383,320 |
| Temein
|2 |14,400 |
| Tuu
|9 |2,500 | |
| Zande
|6 |1,898,500 | |
| Indo-European
|586 |3,237,999,904 | |
| Uralic
|49 |20,716,457 | |
| Tyrsenian
|3 or 4 |extinct | |
| Turkic
|35 |179,945,933 |Altaic (controversial) |
| Hurro-Urartian
|2 |extinct |
| Northwest Caucasian
|4 |1,655,000 |
| Northeast Caucasian
|4,155,258 |
| Kartvelian
|5 |4,850,000 | |
| Dravidian
|84 |252,807,610 | |
| Great Andamanese
|10 |3 | |
| Ongan
|2 |296 | |
| Yeniseian
|5 |153 | |
| Yukaghir
|4 |516 | |
| Sino-Tibetan
|514 |1,385,995,195 | |
| Mijiic
|2 |29,500 |
| Hmong–Mien
|43 |9,332,070 |
| Kra–Dai
|95 |81,549,828 |
| Austroasiatic
|158 |116,323,040 |
| Austronesian
|1,274 |325,862,510 |
| Tungusic
|15 |55,800 |Altaic (controversial) |
| Mongolic
|16 |7,269,480 |Altaic (controversial) |
| Koreanic
|2 |77,269,890 |Altaic (controversial) |
| Nivkh
|2 |200 |
| Japonic
|13 |129,240,180 |Altaic (controversial) |
| Ainu
|3 |2 |Altaic (controversial) |
| Chukotko-Kamchatkan
|7 |6,875 |
| Trans–New Guinea
|376 |3,678,184 | |
| Torricelli
|57 |114,565 | |
| Sepik
|49 |263,404 | |
| Lower Sepik
|6 |13,070 |
| Timor–Alor–Pantar
|23 |380,120 |
| Lakes Plain
|20 |8,455 | |
| Yam
|19 |7,677 | |
| Anim
|17 |32,898 |
| Border
|15 |17,080 | |
| North Halmahera
|15 |279,035 |
| Angan
|13 |103,739 |
| Geelvink Bay
|10 |8,005 | |
| Sko
|10 |5,665 | |
| South Bougainville
|9 |68,700 | |
| Baining
|6 |13,800 | |
| Strickland
|8 |6,175 | |
| Goilalan
|6 |47,330 | |
| Kiwaia
|6 |38,030 | |
| Left May
|6 |2,005 |
| South Bird's Head
|6 |8,200 | |
| Eleman
|5 |45,240 | |
| Foja Range
|26 |23,845 | |
| Pauwasi
|5 |3,880 | |
| West Bird's Head
|5 |20,090 |
| Yuat
|5 |7,700 | |
| Eastern Trans-Fly
|4 |6,760 | |
| North Bougainville
|4 |10,020 | |
| Demta–Sentani
|4 |36,680 | |
| Gogodala–Suki
|4 |30,160 | |
| Kikorian
|6 |13,510 | |
| Walio
|4 |856 | |
| East Bird's Head
|3 |34,800 |
| Mairasi
|3 |4,385 | |
| Amto–Musan
|2 |720 | |
| Baibai-Fas
|2 |2,840 |
| Bulaka River
|3 |520 | |
| Hatam-Mansim
|2 |16,000 |
| Inanwatan–Duriankere
|2 |1,130 | |
| Kaure-Kosare
|2 |700 | |
| Konda-Yahadian
|2 |1,000 | |
| Senu River
|3 |1,510 |
| Lepki-Murkim-Kembra
|3 |840 | |
| Namla-Tofanma
|2 |280 | |
| Pahoturi
|2 |4,050 | |
| Madang–Upper Yuat
|112 | data-sort-value="10001" |>10,000 | |
| Senagi
|2 |2,960 | |
| Taulil-Butam
|2 |2,000 | |
| Ramu
|29 |64,730 |
| Teberan–Pawaian
|4 |37,100 | |
| Yawa-Saweru
|2 |10,300 |
| Central Solomon
|4 |14,800 | |
| Chimbu-Wahgi
|15 |613,400 | |
| Engan
|9 |606,930 | |
| Pama–Nyungan
|250 |23,539 | |
| Gunwinyguan
|5 |1,314 | |
| Western Daly
|3 |21 | |
| Nyulnyulan
|3 |94 | |
| Worrorran
|3 |108 | |
| Mirndi
|3 |261 | |
| Iwaidjan
|4 |491 |
| Mangarrayi-Maran
|4 |10 | |
| Maningrida
|4 |1,434 |
| Tangkic
|4 |73 | |
| Jarrakan
|3 |130 | |
| Bunuban
|2 |100 | |
| Eastern Daly
|2 |extinct | |
| Garrwan
|2 |130 | |
| Limilngan-Wulna
|2 |23 | |
| Marrku-Wurrugu
|2 |extinct | |
| Northeastern Tasmanian
|2 |extinct | |
| Northern Daly
|2 |8 | |
| Southeastern Tasmanian
|2 |extinct | |
| Western Tasmanian
|2 |extinct | |
| Northern Tasmanian
|2 |extinct | |
| Eskaleut
|10 |108,705 | |
| Na-Dene
|46 |208,552 | |
| Tsimshianic
|4 |2,910 |
| Wakashan
|6 |710 | |
| Salishan
|25 |1,969 | |
| Chimakuan
|2 |extinct | |
| Chinookan
|4 |extinct |
| Kalapuyan
|3 |extinct |
| Coosan
|2 |extinct |
| Sahaptian
|4 |125 |
| Shastan
|4 |extinct |
| Pakawan
|5 |extinct |
| Yuki–Wappo
|2 |extinct | |
| Pomoan
|7 |47 |
| Wintuan
|2 |extinct |
| Palaihnihan
|2 |10 |
| Maiduan
|4 |3 |
| Utian
|13 |18 |
| Chumashan
|6 |extinct | |
| Uto-Aztecan
|58 |1,910,442 |
| Yuman–Cochimí
|12 |3,710 |
| Siouan
|14 |33,399 |
| Algic
|47 |214,768 | |
| Tanoan–Kiowa
|6 |6,000 |
| Caddoan
|5 |46 |
| Totonacan
|12 |282,250 |
| Oto-Manguean
|176 |1,678,214 | |
| Mixe–Zoque
|17 |153,612 |
| Tequistlatecan
|3 |5,494 |
| Muskogean
|6 |15,640 |Gulf |
| Mayan
|31 |6,522,182 | |
| Xincan
|5 |extinct |
| Jicaquean
|2 |500 |
| Lencan
|2 |extinct |Macro-Chibchan or Hokan |
| Misumalpan
|5 |709,000 |
| Iroquoian
|9 |14,543 |
| Arawakan
|77 |699,709 |
| Chibchan
|27 |306,267 |
| Chocoan
|9 |114,600 | |
| Cariban
|42 |67,376 |
| Barbacoan
|6 |24,800 |
| Chicham
|4 |89,630 | |
| Quechuan
|45 |7,768,820 | |
| Aymaran
|4 |2,808,740 | |
| Uru–Chipaya
|2 |1,200 | |
| Huarpean
|3 |extinct | |
| Araucanian
|2 |262,000 | |
| Chonan
|6 |extinct |
| Alacalufan
|3 |12 | |
| Guajiboan
|5 |39,290 |
| Nukak–Kakwa
|2 |610 |
| Otomákoan
|2 |extinct |
| Piaroa–Saliban
|3 |18,630 | |
| Nadahup
|4 |2,894 |
| Yanomaman
|4 |31,670 | |
| Tucanoan
|23 |30,308 | |
| Boran
|2 |1,500 |
| Witotoan
|7 |17,478 |
| Peba–Yaguan
|3 |5,700 |
| Zaparoan
|3 |90 |
| Hibito–Cholon
|2 |extinct | |
| Cahuapanan
|2 |10,370 | |
| Ticuna–Yuri
|2 |48,580 | |
| Panoan
|38 |48,679 |
| Arawan
|6 |5,870 | |
| Katukinan
|2 |10 |
| Harákmbut
|2 |2,220 |
| Tupian
|70 |5,026,502 |
| Chapacuran
|4 |2,019 |
| Nambikwaran
|6 |1,068 | |
| Bororoan
|3 |1,392 |
| Kariri
|4 |extinct |
| Zamucoan
|2 |5,900 | |
| Tacanan
|7 |2,860 |
| Mascoian
|6 |20,728 |
| Matacoan
|7 |60,280 |
| Guaicuruan
|4 |49,350 |
| Macro-Jê
|29 |51,093 |
| Charruan
|3 |extinct |
| Kamakanan
|4 |extinct |
| Purian
|2 |extinct |
| Puquina
|4 |extinct | |
| Catacaoan
|3 |extinct | |
| Jirajaran
|3 |extinct | |
| Lule-Vilela
|2 |extinct | |
| Timotean
|2 |200 | |
| Tiniguan
|3 |1 | |
=Sign language families=
{{See also|List of sign languages|Sign Language#Classification}}
The family relationships of sign languages are not well established due to lagging linguistic research, and many are isolates (cf. Wittmann 1991).{{cite journal|last=Wittmann|first=Henri|year=1991|title=Classification linguistique des langues signées non vocalement|journal=Revue québécoise de linguistique théorique et appliquée|volume=10|issue=1|pages=215–288|url=http://www.nou-la.org/ling/1991a-class.pdf|language=fr}}
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" | ||
| scope="col" | Family Name
! scope="col" | Location ! scope="col" | 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
- {{annotated link|Constructed language}}
- {{annotated link|Endangered language}}
- Ethnologue#Language families
- {{annotated link|Extinct language}}
- Index of language articles
- {{annotated link|Intercontinental Dictionary Series}}
- {{annotated link|International auxiliary language}}
- Glottolog#Language families
- Language isolate#List of language isolates by continent
- Lists of languages
- List of proposed language families
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://glottolog.org/glottolog/family Glottolog]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20011005193846/http://www.ethnologue.com/web.asp Ethnologue]
- [http://new.multitree.org/home MultiTree Project] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124732/http://new.multitree.org/home |date=2016-03-04 }}
- [http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Swadesh_lists Comparative Swadesh list tables of various language families] (from Wiktionary)
{{Language families}}
{{Navboxes
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{{Eurasian languages|state=collapsed}}
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{{Australian Aboriginal languages|state=collapsed}}
{{North American languages|state=collapsed}}
{{South American languages|state=collapsed}}
{{Nilo-Saharan families|state=collapsed}}
{{Niger-Congo branches|state=collapsed}}
{{Khoisan|state=collapsed}}
{{Long-range comparative linguistics|state=collapsed}}
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