List of language families Totally Explained

Everything about List Of Language Families totally explained

==Major language families=====By number of native speakers=== )]] This is a list of the top ten families with wide recognition as phylogenetic units, in terms of numbers of native speakers, listed with their core geographic areals.

Indo-European languages (Europe, Southwest to South Asia)
Sino-Tibetan languages (East Asia)
Niger-Congo languages (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Afro-Asiatic languages (North Africa to Horn of Africa, Southwest Asia)
Austronesian languages (Oceania, Madagascar)
Dravidian languages (South Asia)
Altaic languages (Asia, phylogenetic unity uncertain)
Austro-Asiatic languages (Southeast Asia)
Tai-Kadai languages (Southeast Asia)
Uralic languages (Northern Asia to Northern Europe)

If the Altaic grouping is rejected, Turkic and Japonic should be counted as major language families instead. The families listed above account for more than 99% of total world population. Phyla with wide geographical distributions historically but comparatively few contemporary speakers include Eskimo-Aleut, Na-Dené, Algic and Nilo-Saharan.

By variety

According to the numbers in Ethnologue (External Link

), the largest language families in terms of number of languages are:

Niger-Congo (1,514 languages)

Austronesian (1,268 languages)

Trans-New Guinea (564 languages) (validity disputed)

Indo-European (449 languages)

Sino-Tibetan (403 languages)

Afro-Asiatic (375 languages)

Nilo-Saharan (204 languages)

Pama-Nyungan (178 languages) (validity disputed)

Oto-Manguean (174 languages) (number disputed; Lyle Campbell includes only 27)

Austro-Asiatic (169 languages)

Sepik-Ramu (100 languages) (validity disputed)

Tai-Kadai (76 languages)

Tupi (76 languages)

Dravidian (73 languages)

Mayan (69 languages)

Language families

In the following, each "bulleted" item is a known or suspected language family. The geographic headings over them are meant solely as a tool for grouping families into collections more comprehensible than an unstructured list of the dozen or two of independent families. Geographic relationship is convenient for that purpose, but these headings are not a suggestion of any "super-families" phylogenetically relating the families named.

Africa and Southwest Asia

Afro-Asiatic languages (formerly Hamito-Semitic)

Niger-Congo languages (sometimes Niger-Kordofanian)

Nilo-Saharan languages

Khoe languages (part of the Khoisan proposal)

Tuu languages (part of Khoisan)

Juu-ǂHoan languages (part of Khoisan)

Europe and North, West and South Asia

Indo-European languages

Tyrsenian languages

Dravidian languages

Northwest Caucasian languages (often included in North Caucasian)

Northeast Caucasian languages (often included in North Caucasian)

Hurro-Urartian languages (extinct, perhaps related to Northeast Caucasian)

South Caucasian languages

Chukotko-Kamchatkan languages

Dené-Yeniseian languages

East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific

Andamanese languages (perhaps two families)

Austro-Asiatic languages

Austronesian languages

Hmong-Mien languages

Japonic languages

Sino-Tibetan languages

Tai-Kadai languages

New Guinea and neighboring islands

Baining languages

Border languages

Central Solomons languages

East Bird's Head-Sentani languages

Eastern Trans-Fly languages (one in Australia)

East Geelvink Bay languages

Kazukuru languages

Lakes Plain languages (upper Mamberamo River)

Left May-Kwomtari languages

Mairasi languages

Nimboran languages

North Bougainville languages

Piawi languages

Ramu-Lower Sepik languages

Senagi languages

Sepik languages

Skou languages

South Bougainville languages

South-Central Papuan languages

Tor-Kwerba languages

Torricelli languages

West New Britain languages

West Papuan languages

Yuat languages

Australia

Arnhem Land languages (3 families and 2 isolates)

Gunwinyguan languages

Pama-Nyungan languages

North America

Algic languages (incl. Algonquian languages) (29)

Alsean languages (2)

Caddoan languages (5)

Chimakuan languages (2)

Chinookan languages (3)

Chumashan languages (6)

Comecrudan languages (3)

Coosan languages (2)

Dené-Yeniseian languages (40 in North America, 1 in Asia)

Eskimo-Aleut languages (7)

Guaicuruan languages (a.k.a. Waikurian) (8)

Iroquoian languages (11)

Kalapuyan languages (3)

Kiowa-Tanoan languages (7)

Maiduan languages (4)

Mayan languages (North & Central America) (31)

Mixe-Zoquean languages (North America) (19)

Muskogean languages (6)

Oto-Manguean languages (North & Central America) (27)

Palaihnihan languages (2)

Plateau Penutian languages (a.k.a. Shahapwailutan) (4)

Pomoan languages (7)

Salishan languages (23)

Shastan languages (4)

Siouan languages (16)

Tequistlatecan languages (3)

Totonacan languages (2)

Tsimshian languages (2)

Utian languages (12)

Uto-Aztecan languages (31)

Wakashan languages (6)

Wintuan languages (4)

Yokutsan languages (3)

Yukian languages (2)

Yuman-Cochimí languages (11)

Central America and South America

Alacalufan languages (South America) (2)

Algic languages (North & Central America) (29)

Arauan languages (South America) (8)

Araucanian languages (South America) (2)

Arawakan languages (South America & Caribbean) (73)

Arutani-Sape languages (South America) (2)

Aymaran languages (South America) (3)

Barbacoan languages (South America) (7)

Cahuapanan languages (South America) (2)

Carib languages (South America) (29)

Chapacura-Wanham languages (South America) (5)

Chibchan languages (Central & South America) (22)

Choco languages (South America) (10)

Chon languages (South America) (2)

Comecrudan languages (North & Central America) (3)

Guaicuruan languages (a.k.a. Waikurian) (8)

Harakmbet languages (South America) (2)

Ge languages (South America) (13)

Jicaquean languages (Central America)

Jivaroan languages (South America) (4)

Katukinan languages (South America) (3)

Lencan languages (Central America)

Lule-Vilela languages (South America) (1)

Macro-Ge languages (South America) (32)

Maku languages (South America) (6)

Mascoian languages (South America) (5)

Mashakalian languages (South America)

Mataco-Guaicuru languages (South America) (11)

Mayan languages (North & Central America) (31)

Misumalpan languages (Central America) (9)

Mosetenan languages (South America) (1)

Mura languages (South America) (1)

Nambiquaran languages (South America) (5)

Oto-Manguean languages (North & Central America) (27)

Paezan languages (South America) (1)

Panoan languages (South America) (30)

Peba-Yaguan languages (South America) (2)

Quechuan languages (South America) (46)

Salivan languages (South America) (2)

Tacanan languages (South America) (6)

Tequistlatecan languages (Central America) (3)

Tucanoan languages (South America) (25)

Tupi languages (South America) (70)

Uru-Chipaya languages (South America) (2)

Uto-Aztecan languages (North & Central America) (31)

Witotoan languages (South America) (6)

Xincan languages (Central America)

Yanomam languages (South America) (4)

Yuman-Cochimi languages (North & Central America) (11)

Zamucoan languages (South America) (2)

Zaparoan languages (South America) (7)

Language isolates

Central & South America

Aikaná (Brazil: Rondônia)

Andoque (Colombia, Peru)

Aymara (Peru, Bolivia)

Betoi (Colombia)

Camsá (Colombia)

Canichana (Bolivia)

Cayubaba (Bolivia)

Cofán (Colombia, Ecuador)

Huaorani (a.k.a. Sabela, Waorani, Waodani) (Ecuador, Peru)

Irantxe (Brazil: Mato Grosso)

Itonama (Bolivia)

Jotí (Venezuela)

Koayá (Brazil: Rondônia)

Mapudungun (Chile, Argentina)

Movima (Bolivia)

Munichi (Peru)

Nambiquaran (Brazil: Mato Grosso)

Omurano (Peru)

Otí (Brazil: São Paulo) [extinct]

Pankararú (Brazil: Pernambuco)

Puelche (Argentina,Chile)

Puinave (Colombia)

Puquina (Bolivia) [extinct]

Quechua (Peru)

Taushiro (Peru)

Tequiraca (Peru)

Ticuna (Colombia, Peru, Brazil)

Warao (Guyana, Surinam, Venezuela)

Yámana (a.k.a Yagan) (Chile)

Yuracare (Bolivia)

Yuri (Colombia, Brazil)

Yurumanguí (Colombia)
North America

Chimariko (US: California)

Chitimacha (US: Louisiana)

Coahuilteco (US: Texas, northeast Mexico)

Cuitlatec (Mexico: Guerrero) [extinct]

Esselen (US: California)

Haida (Canada: British Columbia; US: Alaska)

Huave (Mexico: Oaxaca)

Karankawa (US: Texas) [extinct]

Karok (a.k.a. Karuk) (US: California)

Keres (US: New Mexico)

Kootenai (Canada: British Columbia; US: Idaho, Montana)

Natchez (US: Mississippi, Louisiana) (sometimes linked to Muskogean)

P'urhépecha (a.k.a. Tarascan) (Mexico: Michoacán)

Salinan (US: California)

Seri (Mexico: Sonora)

Siuslaw (US: Oregon)

Takelma (US: Oregon)

Timucua (US: Florida, Georgia)

Tonkawa (US: Texas) [extinct]

Tunica (US: Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas)

Washo (US: California, Nevada)

Yana (US: California)

Yuchi (US: Georgia, Oklahoma)

Zuni (a.k.a. Shiwi) (US: New Mexico)
Australia

Enindhilyagwa (AKA Andilyaugwa, Anindilyakwa)

Laragiya

Minkin [extinct;perhaps a member of Yiwaidjan or Tankic]

Ngurmbur (perhaps a member of Macro-Pama-Nyungan)

Tiwi (Melville and Bathurst Islands)
New Guinea

Abinomn (Baso, Foia) (north Irian)

Anêm (New Britain)

Ata (Pele-Ata, Wasi) (New Britain)

Busa (Sandaun)

Isirawa (north Irian)

Kol (New Britain)

Kuot (Panaras) (New Ireland)

Massep

Kwotari-Baibai (a.k.a. Pyu)

Sulka (New Britain)

Taiap (Gapun) (Sepik)

Yalë (Nagatman) (Sandaun)

Yawa (Geelvink Bay)

Yélî Dnye (Yele) (Rennell Island)

Yuri (Karkar) (Sandaun)
Asia

Ainu language or languages (Japan, Russia) (like Arabic or Japanese, the diversity within Ainu is large enough that some consider it to be perhaps up to a dozen languages while others consider it a single language with high dialectal diversity)

Nivkh or Gilyak (Russia) (sometimes linked to Chukchi-Kamchatkan)

Korean (North & South Korea, China, USA) (sometimes linked to Altaic; its dialect Jeju is often considered a different language)

Kusunda (Nepal)

Kalto or Nihali (India) (sometimes linked to Munda)

Burushaski (Pakistan, India) (sometimes linked to Yeniseian)

Elamite (Iran) [extinct] (sometimes linked to Dravidian)

Sumerian (Iraq) [extinct]

Hattic (Turkey) [extinct] (sometimes linked to Northwest Caucasian)

Shompen (Nicobar Island) (little known; appears to be two languages)
Africa

Hadza (Tanzania)

Sandawe (Tanzania) (may be related to Khoe)
Europe

Basque (Spain, France) (related to extinct Aquitanian)
Unclassified languages
Languages are considered unclassified either because, for one reason or another, little effort has been made to compare them with other languages, or, more commonly, because they're too poorly documented to permit reliable classification. Most such languages are extinct and most likely will never be known well enough to classify.
Europe

Iberian (Spain) [extinct]

Tartessian (Spain, Portugal) [extinct]
Africa

Shabo

Meroitic [extinct]
Asia

Quti [extinct]

Kaskian [extinct]

Cimmerian [extinct]
Australia

Tasmanian languages [extinct]
South America

Baenan (Brazil) [extinct]

Culle (Peru) [extinct]

Cunza (Chile, Bolivia, Argentina) [extinct]

Gamela (Brazil: Maranhão) [extinct]

Gorgotoqui (Bolivia) [extinct]

Huamoé (Brazil: Pernambuco) [extinct]

Kukurá (Brazil: Mato Grosso) [extinct]

Natú (Brazil: Pernambuco) [extinct]

Tarairiú (Brazil: Rio Grande do Norte)

Tuxá (Brazil: Bahia, Pernambuco) [extinct]

Xokó (Brazil: Alagoas, Pernambuco) [extinct]

Xukurú (Brazil: Pernambuco, Paraíba) [extinct]

Yurumanguí (Colombia) [extinct]
North America

Adai (US: Louisiana, Texas) [extinct]

Alagüilac (Guatemala)

Aranama-Tamique (US: Texas) [extinct]

Atakapa (US: Louisiana, Texas) [extinct]

Beothuk (Canada: Newfoundland) [extinct]

Calusa (US: Florida) [extinct]

Cayuse (US: Oregon, Washington) [extinct]

Cotoname (northeast Mexico; US: Texas) [extinct]

Maratino (northeastern Mexico) [extinct]

Naolan (Mexico: Tamaulipas) [extinct]

Quinigua (northeast Mexico) [extinct]

Solano (northeast Mexico; US: Texas) [extinct]
Mixed languages

Michif, a mixture of French and Cree, where the nouns and adjectives tend to be French (including agreement), and the polysynthetic verbs are entirely Cree. There are two simultaneous gender systems, French masculine/feminine as well as Cree animate/inanimate, and the Cree obviative (fourth person).

Mednyj Aleut, a mixture of Russian and Aleut, which retains Aleut verbs but has replaced most of the inflectional endings with their Russian equivalents.

Cappadocian Greek, comprising mostly Greek root words, but with many Turkish grammatical endings and Turkish vowel harmony, and no gender.

Mbugu or Ma’a: an inherited Cushitic vocabulary with a borrowed Bantu inflectional system.

Filipino, primarily Tagalog with notable influences of Spanish. Possible examples include:

Chiac, a mixture of Acadian French language and English language

Wutunhua (a mixture of Chinese and Tibetan).

Yeniche (a mixture of German, Yiddish, and Romani).

Jopará, mixture of Guaraní and Spanish, Spanish verbs are changed to match Guaraní phonology and conjugated following Guaraní patterns.

Riverense portuñol (Portuguese/Spanish).

Surzhyk (a mixture of Ukrainian and Russian).
Sign languages
The family relationships of sign languages are not well established, and many are isolates.
Proposed language stocks

Alarodian

Almosan (= Sapir's Algonkin-Wakashan)

Almosan-Keresiouan

Algonkian-Gulf Algonquin, Algonkin

Amerind
Central Amerind

Andean

Aztec-Tanoan

Austric

Chibchan-Paezan

Coahuiltecan

Dene-Caucasian

Equatorial

Eurasiatic

Gulf

Hokan

Hokan-Siouan

Ibero-Caucasian

Indo-Pacific

Keresiouan

Kongo-Saharan

Macro-Carib

Macro-Ge

Macro-Khoisan

Macro-Mayan

Macro-Panoan

Macro-Siouan

Macro-Tucanoan

Mosan

Na-Dene (Sapir's)

Nostratic

Nostratic-Amerind

Penutian

Pontic

Thai-Kadai

Proto-World

Quechumaran

Ural-Altaic

Uralo-Siberian languages

Wappo-YukianFurther Information
Get more info on 'List Of Language Families'.

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