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| FREELANG - Language Families |
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The linguists usually count around 7,000 languages, and several thousands dialects can also be added. The table below (which shows about 800 main languages) is only a glimpse of the huge diversity of languages.
To find a language in the table, you can use the Edit, Search function of your browser. Extinct languages are usually not cited.
Please note that the number of speakers is for information only, as it is very hard to know the exact number of speakers of a language. If you have more accurate information, please contact us.
Families and languages (below, comprehensive table)
Families only (summary table)
For a comprehensive classification of all existing languages, we recommend the website of the Summer Institute of Linguistics in Texas. It is the biggest database available on the web concerning languages and their classification.
Our other sources:
- Centre international de recherche en aménagement linguistique (Laval University, Quebec)
- Bibliothèque publique d'information (French Ministry of Culture)
- Krysstal (personal website)
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Classification of languages by families |
Indo-European family (1.6 billion speakers)
Indo-Iranian group (600 million speakers)
Indic / Indo-Aryan branch (540 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Sanskrit | extinct language |
| Bengali | 180 million | Bangladesh |
| Hindi | 400 million | India |
| Marathi | 64 million | India |
| Gujarati | 40 million | India |
| Bihari | 40 million | India (nord-est) |
| Oriya | 31 million | India |
| Pendjabi | 80 million | India, Pakistan (Pendjab) |
| Radjasthani | 20 million | India |
| Assamese | 14.6 million | India |
| Bundeli | 8 million | India |
| Pahari | 6 million | India |
| Konkani | 2 million | India |
| Nepali | 12 million | Népal, India |
| Urdu | 150 million | India, Pakistan |
| Sindhi | 19.6 million | Pakistan |
| Sinhala | 12 million | Sri Lanka |
| Tsigane (Romani) | 10 million | Europe |
Iranian branch (60 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Avestic | extinct language |
| Persian (Farsi) | 26.5 million | Iran |
| Persian (Dari) | 7 million | Afghanistan, Pakistan |
| Afghan (Pashtu) | 20 million | Pakistan, Afghanistan |
| Balutchi | 1.6 million | Pakistan |
| Tajik | 4.3 million | Tadjikistan |
| Ossetic | 600 000 | Russia, Georgia |
| Kurdish | 25 million | Turkey, Iran, Irak, Syrie |
| Other languages: Talysh, Tat (Azerbaidjan) |
Greek group (15 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Ancient Greek | extinct language |
| Modern Greek | 15 million | Greece |
Italic (Latin) group (430 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Latin | extinct language |
Portuguese
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Portuguese | 182 million | Portugal, Brazil |
| Galician | 4 million | Spain (Galice) |
| Mirandese | 10 000 | Portugal |
Spanish
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Spanish (Castillan) | 392 million | Spain, South America |
| Asturian | 100 000 | Spain |
| Other languages: Leonese, Andalou, Aragonese (11 000), Extremaduran, Judeo-Spanish (Israel) |
Catalan
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Catalan | 10 million | Spain, France |
Occitan
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Occitan | 2 million | France, Italy |
Northern-Occitan: Limousin, Auvergnat, Provençal alpin Southern-Occitan: Languedocian, Provençal, Gascon, Niçois |
French / Oil languages
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| French | 110 million | France + TOM, Switzerland, Belgium, Quebec, French-speaking Africa... |
| Wallon | | Belgium, France |
Oïl languages: Picard, Haut normand, Champenois, Lorrain, South-East (Bouguignon, Bourbonnais, Franc-comtois), Central (Francien, Orléanais, Berrichon), North-Western (Gallo, Anglo-Normand, Bas Normand, Mayennais, Manceau, Angevin, Tourangeau), South-Western (Poitevin, Saintongeais) North America: Québécois, Acadien |
Italian
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Italian | 64 million | Italy |
| Sicilian | 4.6 million | Sicilia |
| Corse | 150 000 | Corse |
| Other languages: Piemontese, Lombard, Ligurian, Emilian, Bolognese, Venitian, Istrian, Toscan, Calabrese, Lucanian, Abruzzian, Marches, Pouilles |
Sardinian
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Sardinian | 1.5 million | Sardinia |
| Other languages: Campidanian, Logoudorian, Gallurian |
Rheto-Roman
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Romanche | 50 000 | Switzerland (Grisons) |
| Ladin | 10 000 | Italy (North) |
| Frioulan | 450 000 | Italy (Frioul) |
Romanian
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Romanian | 20 million | Romania |
| Other languages: Macedo-Romanian (Balkans), Migleno-Romanian (Greece), Istrio-Romanian (Croatia) |
Celtic group (2 million speakers)
Brittonic branch
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Breton | 250 000 | France (Bretagne) |
| Welsh | 800 000 | Wales |
Gaelic branch
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Irish | 1 million | Ireland |
| Scottish | 70 000 | Scotland |
| Manx | 600 | Man Island |
Germanic group (480 million speakers)
Western branch
Anglo-Frisian
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| English | 470 million | UK, USA, Canada, Australia... |
| Frisian | 730 000 | Netherlands, Germany |
Germano-Dutch
Low Saxon / Niederdeutsch
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Dutch | 21 million | Netherlands, Belgium (Flemish) |
| Afrikaans | 10 million | South Africa, Namibia |
| Other languages: Northern German, Low-Saxon |
High German / Hochdeutsch (121 million speakers)
Middle German
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Moselle Franconian | | Nied area |
| Rhenisch Franconian | | coal basin until Alsace |
| Luxembourgeois | 410 000 | Luxembourg, Thionville area |
| Other languages: Ripuarian Franconian, Upper Saxon |
Upper German
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| German | 90 million | Germany |
| Other languages: Eastern Franconian, Southern Franconian, Bavarian, Alemannic (Alsacian, Swabian, Schwyzerdütsch), Yiddish (Ashkenazi) and Pensilfaanisch (Amish in USA) |
Northern / Scandinavian branch
Western sub-group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Icelandic | 250 000 | Iceland |
| Norwegian (bokmål ou riksmål) | 5 million | Norway |
| Norwegian (landsmål ou nynorsk) | 726 000 | Norway |
| Faroese | 50 000 | Faroe Islands |
Eastern sub-group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Danish | 5 million | Denmark |
| Swedish | 9 million | Sweden |
Baltic group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Latvian | 2.5 million | Latvia |
| Lithuanian | 5 million | Lithuania |
Slavic group (250 million speakers)
Western branch
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Polish | 44 million | Poland |
| Czech | 12 million | Czech Republic |
| Slovak | 5 million | Slovakia |
| Sorbian (Lusatian, Wendish) | 500 000 | Lusace (Germany, Poland) |
Southern branch
Western sub-group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Serbian | 11 million | Serbia |
| Croatian | 6 million | Croatia |
| Bosnian | 4 million | Bosnia |
| Slovenian | 2.5 million | Slovenia |
Eastern sub-group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Bulgarian | 9 million | Bulgaria |
| Macedonian | 4 million | Macedonia |
Eastern branch
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Russian | 288 million | Russia |
| Ukrainian | 41 million | Ukraine |
| Belarusan | 12 million | Belarus |
Armenian group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Armenian | 5 million | Armenia, Turkey |
Albanian group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Albanian | 5 million | Albania, Kosovo |
| 2 main dialects: Tosh (South of Albania) and Gheg (North) |
Basque family
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Basque | 800 000 | Basque Country (Spain, France) |
Dravidian family (150 million speakers)
Northern group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Brahui | 1.5 million | Pakistan |
| Other languages: Malto, Kurux (Nepal), Sauria |
Central group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Telugu | 57 million | India (Andhra Pradesh) |
| Gondi | 1 million | India |
| Other languages: Konda, Kui, Manda, Parji, Gadaba, Kolami, Pengo, Naiki, Kuvi |
Southern group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Tamil | 70 million | India (Tamil Nadu), Sri Lanka |
| Malayalam | 34.6 million | India |
| Kannada | 33 million | India |
| Tulu | 1 million | India |
| Other languages: Kodagu, Toda, Kota |
Uralic family (25 million speakers)
Finno-Ugric group
Finnic branch
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Finnish | 6 million | Finland |
| Estonian | 1.5 million | Estonia |
| Karelian | | Karelia (Russia) |
| Sami | 40 000 | Norway, Sweden, Finland |
| Other languages: Veps (Onega lake), Cheremis/Mari and Mordvin, Votiak/Udmurt et Zyrian/Komi (North-East of Russia), Ludian, Permyak |
Ugric branch
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Hungarian | 15.5 million | Hungary |
| Other languages: Ostiak et Vogul (Ob valley, Siberia (North-West)) |
Samoyed group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Selkup | | Siberia (North-West) |
| Nenets | | Siberia (North-West) |
Caucasian family (10 million speakers)
Caucasian group
North-Western
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Cherkes | | Russia |
| Abkhaz | | Georgia |
North-Eastern
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Avar | | Russia |
| Chechen-Ingush | 2 million | Chechen Ingushetia |
| Other languages: Lezgi |
Kartvelian group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Georgian | 5.5 million | Georgia |
Altaic family (75 million speakers)
Turkic group (70 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Turkish | 59 million | Turquie, Balkans |
| Azeri | 14 million | Azerbaïdjan, nord-ouest de l'Iran |
| Kazakh | 10 million | Kazakhstan |
| Uzbek | 17 million | Ouzbékistan |
| Turkmenian | 3 million | Turkmenistan |
| Kirghiz | 3 million | Kirghizstan |
| Tatar | 7 million | Turkey, Balkans, ex-URSS, China |
| Uyghur | 7 million | Xinjiang Autonomous Region (China) |
| Yakut | 360 000 | Siberia (North-East) |
| Other languages: Gagauz, Karakalpak, Bachkir, Chuvash (2 million) |
Mongolian group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Mongol (Khalkha) | 6 million | Mongolia, China |
| Kalmyk | | Kalmoukia (Russia) |
| Other languages: Oirat, Yugur |
Manchou-Tungus group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Manchou | | China |
| Evenki | | China, ex-URSS |
| lamout | | close to Okhotsk sea |
| Tungus | | Eastern Siberia |
Japanese family
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Japanese | 126 million | Japan |
| Okinawa dialect | 1 million | Japan |
Ainu family
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Ainu | nearly extinct | Japan |
Korean family
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Korean | 75 million | Korea |
Sino-Tibetan / Sino-Thai family (1.5 billion speakers)
Chinese group (1 billion speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 835 million | China (Northern Yantze, South-West) |
| Cantonese | 75 million | China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Hong Kong, Macao) |
| Wu | 77.1 million | China (Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou) |
| Xiang | 36 million | China (Hunan) |
| Yue | 46.3 million | China (Guangxi, Guangdong) |
| Min (Minnan) | 77 million | China (Fujian, Hainan), Taiwan |
| Kejia (Hakka) | 25.4 million | China (South-East, Taiwan) |
| Gan | 20.5 million | China (Jiangxi) |
Tibeto-Burman group
Tibetan branch
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Tibetan | 6 million | Tibet, China, Nepal, Bouthan |
| Other languages: Itszu |
Burman branch
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Burmese | 40 million | Burma |
| Other languages: Kachin, Karen, Chin, Naga, Yin |
Tai-Kadai / Daic group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Thai | 60 million | Thailand |
| Shan | | Burma |
| Lao | 5 million | Laos |
| Zhuang | 15 million | China (Guangxi, Yunnan) |
| Other languages: Yuan, Dong, Li |
Miao-Yao (Hmong-Mien) group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Miao (Hmong Njua) | 1 million | China (South), Vietnam, Laos |
| Yao | | China (South) |
| Other languages: Hmong Daw (White Miao) |
Austro-Asiatic family (80 million speakers)
Mon-Khmer group (74 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Khmer | 10 million | Cambodia |
| Vietnamese | 75 million | Vietnam |
| Môn | 1 million | Burma, Thailand |
| Nicobarese | few thousands | Nicobar Islands |
| Other languages: Senoic, Bahnaric, Katuic, Pearic |
Munda group (6 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Santali | 4 million | India |
| Mundari | 2 million | India |
| Other languages: Korku, Kharia, Gorum |
Afro-Asiatic family (200 million speakers)
Chamitic group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Ancient Egyptian | extinct language |
Semitic group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Arabic (standard, classical) | 150 million | Maghreb, Near East |
| Hebrew | 6 million | Israel |
| Amharique | 20 million | Ethiopia |
| Tigrinya | 6 million | Ethiopia, Erythrea |
| Maltese | 300 000 | Malta |
Arabic dialects: Algerian, Eyptian, Irakian, Jordanian, Lebanese, Libyan, Moroccan, Mauritanian, Omanese, Palestinian, Saoudian, Syrian, Chadian, Tunisian, Yemeni
Other languages: Aramaic, Assyrian (Akkadian), Tigré, Argobba |
Berber group (11 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Tamazight | 3 million | Morocco |
| Rifain | 2 million | Morocco |
| Tachelhite / chleuh | 3 million | Morocco |
| Kabyle | 3 million | Algeria |
| Chaouia | 1.4 million | Algeria (Kabylia) |
| Mozabit (tumzabt, mzab) | 70 000 | Algeria (Mzab valley) |
| Tamachek | 300 000 | Sahara (Touaregs) |
| Other languages: Jerban, Judeo-Berber |
Cushitic group (13 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Somali | 8.3 million | Somalia |
| Galla | | Kenya, Southern Ethiopia |
| Other languages: Sidamo, Afar, Gedeo, Bedja, Bedawi |
Omotic group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Wolaytta | 2 million | Ethiopia |
| Gamo | 780 000 | Ethiopia |
| Melo | 80 000 | Ethiopia |
| Basketto | 82 000 | Ethiopia |
| Seze | 109 000 | Ethiopia |
| Yemsa | 500 000 | Ethiopia |
Chadic group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Haoussa | 45 million | Niger, Nigeria |
| Other languages: Mandara, Ngala, Bana |
Nilo-Saharan family (26 million speakers)
Songhai group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Songhai-Zarma | 1.5 million | Mali, Niger |
| Kanouri | 1.5 million | Nigeria, Chad |
| Other languages: Forian (1 million) |
Chari-Nile group (20 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Dinka | 1.3 million | Sudan |
| Other languages: Nuer, Chillouk, Diour (Luo), Bari, Toposa, Nuba, Bongo, Burun, Dagik, Daju, Didinga |
Maban group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Maba | | Chad |
| Runga | | Chad |
| Mimi | | Chad |
Fur group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Fur | | Ethiopia, Sudan |
| Other languages: Amdang, Bagirmi, Bedjonde, Berakou, Bideyat |
Koman group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| gule | | Ethiopia, Sudan |
| Other languages: Komo, Kwama, Opuuo, Uduk |
Nigero-Kordofanian family
Kordofanian languages
Kadugli group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Kanga | | Sudan |
| Other languages: Tulish, Tumma, Krongo, Tumtum, Keiga |
Kordofanian group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Warnang | | Sudan |
| Other languages: Heiban, Laro, Logol, Otoro, Shwai, Moro, Tegali, Tingal |
Niger-Congo languages
Benue-Congo branch
Bantoid sub-group (9 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Tiv | | Nigeria |
| Birom | | Nigeria |
Bantu languages (400 languages, 100 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Fang | 560 000 | Cameroon, Gabon |
| Boulou | | Cameroon |
| Ewondo | | Cameroon |
| Douala | 400 000 | Cameroon |
| Bamileke | 2 million | Cameroon |
| Luva | 6.3 million | Congo-Kinshasa |
| Tshiluba | 6 million | Congo-Kinshasa |
| Lingala | 8 million | Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Congo-Kinshasa |
| Kikongo | 6 million | Angola, Congo-Brazzaville, Congo-Kinshasa |
| Kituba | 5 million | Congo (South) |
| Luganda | 4 million | Uganda |
| Makoua | | Uganda |
| Kinyarwanda-Kirundi | 15 million | Rwanda, Burundi |
| Swahili | 30 million | Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Congo DR, Rwanda, Burundi |
| Kikouyou | 4.6 million | Kenya |
| Sukuma | | Tanzania |
| Bemba | | Zambia |
| Nyanja (chewa, chinyanja) | 3.2 million | Malawi, Zambia |
| Kimbundu | 3 million | Angola |
| Umbundu | 4 million | Angola |
| Shona | 10 million | Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
| Sotho | 3.5 million | South Africa |
| Tswana | 3 million | South Africa, Botswana |
| Zulu | 5 million | South Africa |
| Ndebele | 1 million | Zimbabwe, South Africa |
| Xhosa | 4 million | South Africa |
| Comorian languages | 900 000 | Comoros |
Eastern Adamawa group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Zande | | Northern Congo |
| Ngbandi | | Central African Republic |
| Sango | 350 000 | Central African Republic |
| Ngbaka (Bwaka) | 40 000 | Congo DR, Central African Republic |
Kwa group (32 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Efik | | Nigeria |
| Yoruba | 20 million | Nigeria, Benin |
| Igbo | 20 million | Nigeria |
| Ew | 2.7 million | Togo, Ghana |
| Fanti | | Ghana |
| Twi (Akan, Fante and Ashanti) | 4 million | Ghana |
| Anyi | | Ivory Coast |
| Baoule | 1 million | Ivory Coast |
| Bassa (Basaa) | 800 000 | Cameroon |
| Krou | | Liberia |
| Other languages: Bino-Edo, Akan, Gurma, Gwa, Abe, Ari, Ga, Ijo, Igala |
Gur group (12 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| More (Mossi) | 5 million | Burkina-Faso, Togo, Ghana |
| Dogon | 500 000 | Mali |
| Other languages: Senoufo, Koulango, lobi |
West-Atlantic group (17 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Wolof | 4 million | Senegal, Gambia |
| Temne | | Sierra Leone |
| Peul (or Fula, Fulani, Fulfude) | 13 million | Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Nigeria (East), Cameroon |
| Other languages: Serere, Kissi, Baga, Bulom, Banda, Sere |
Mande group (12 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Bambara | 12 million | Mali |
| Dioula | | Ivory Coast |
| Malinke (or Maninka, Mandingo) | 3 million | Guinea |
| Sosso (or Soussou) | 600 000 | Guinea |
| Soninke (or Sarakhole) | 1 million | Mauritania, Senegal, Mali |
| Kpelle | | Liberia |
Khoisan family (100 000 speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Hottentot (Nama) | 25 000 | Southern Africa |
| Sandawe | 23 000 | North-Eastern Tanzania |
| Hatsa | few thousands | North-Eastern Tanzania |
| other languages: bochiman |
Austronesian family (300 million speakers)
Formosan group (450 000 speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Amis | 130 000 | Taiwan |
| Atayal | 63 000 | Taiwan |
| Bunun | 34 000 | Taiwan |
| Paiwan | 81 000 | Taiwan |
| Pyuma | 7 200 | Taiwan |
| Rukai | 8 000 | Taiwan |
| Saisiyat | 3 200 | Taiwan |
| Taroko | 28 000 | Taiwan |
| Tsou | 5 000 | Taiwan |
| Yami | 3 000 | Taiwan |
Western Malayo-Polynesian group / Indonesian (265 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Malay | 20 million | Malaisia |
| Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) | 200 million | Indonesia |
| Tagalog (Filipino) | 72 million | Philippines |
| Bikol | 2.5 million | Philippines |
| Sasak | 2.1 million | Philippines |
| Magindanaw | 1 million | Philippines |
| Pampangan | 2 million | Philippines |
| Pangasinan | 2 million | Philippines |
| Javanese | 80 million | Indonesia |
| Balinese | 3.5 million | Indonesia |
| Sundanese | 25 million | Indonesia |
| Visayan | 15 million | Indonesia |
| Banjar | 3 million | Indonesia |
| Batak Dairi | 1.2 million | Indonesia |
| Lampung | 1.5 million | Indonesia |
| Bouguinais | 4 million | Indonesia |
| Madurese | 10 million | Indonesia |
| Batak Toba | 2 million | Indonesia |
| Minangkabaw | 7 million | Indonesia |
| Makassar | 2 million | Indonesia |
| Ilongo | 7 million | Indonesia |
| Ilocano | 8 million | Indonesia |
| Malagasy | 8 million | Madagascar |
| Chamorro | | Guam Island |
| Cham Bahnar | | Vietnam |
| Jarai | | Vietnam |
| Rade | | Vietnam |
| Roglai | | Vietnam |
| Western Cham | | Cambodia |
| Cham languages | | Thailand |
| Tsat | | China |
| Other languages (Indonesia): Cebuano, Dayak (Borneo), Palauan, Yapese |
Central Malayo-Polynesian group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Tetum | 300 000 | Indonesia (Timor) |
| Kisar | 20 000 | Indonesia (Moluccas) |
| Kei | 86 000 | Indonesia (Moluccas) |
| Makian | 35 000 | Indonesia (Moluccas) |
| Hitu | 16 000 | Indonesia (Moluccas) |
| Manusela | 7 000 | Indonesia (Moluccas) |
| Other languages (Indonesia): Kemak, Galoli, Damar, Seram, Buru, Selwasan, Aru |
Eastern Malayo-Polynesian group
Southern Halmahera branch (150 000 speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Ambai | 10 000 | |
| Eastern Makiam | 20 000 | |
| Biak | 40 000 | |
| Other languages: Buli, Maba, Patani, Weda, Giman, Marau, Makiam Dalam |
Oceanic branch (3 million speakers)
Melanesian languages (1 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Fidjian | 285 000 | Fidji |
| Drehu | 15 000 | New Caledonia |
| Nengone | 6 100 | New Caledonia |
| Paicî | 5 500 | New Caledonia |
| Ajië | 5 000 | New Caledonia |
| Xârâcùù | 5 000 | New Caledonia |
| Belep | 1 100 | New Caledonia (Belep Islands) |
| Other languages: Ïaaï |
Polynesian languages (1 million speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Samoan | 300 000 | Samoa |
| Tahitian | 220 000 | French Polynesia |
| Maori | 200 000 | New-Zealand, Cook Islands |
| Rarotonga | 37 000 | Cook Islands |
| Tuamotu | 14 400 | French Polynesia |
| Niuan | 11 800 | Niue Island |
| Marquisian | 8 000 | French Polynesia |
| Wallisian | 19 500 | Wallis-and-Futuna |
| Futunian | 6 600 | Wallis-et-Futuna |
| Hawaiian | 2 000 | Hawaï |
| Tuvaluan | | Tuvalu Islands |
| Tongian | 108 000 | Tonga Islands |
| Rapanui | | Easter Island |
| Rotuman, Faga-Uvea, Tekelauan |
Micronesian languages (500 000 speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Kiribati | 64 000 | |
| Marshallese | 29 000 | |
| Nauruan | 6 000 | |
| Trukese | 38 000 | |
| Ponape | 27 700 | |
| Kosraean | 6 900 | |
| Carolinian | 2 500 | |
Indopacific family (Papuan languages)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Enga | 180 000 | Papua New Guinea |
| Kuanua | 80 000 | Papua New Guinea |
| Melpa | 75 000 | Papua New Guinea |
| Kuman | 70 000 | Papua New Guinea |
| Huli | 65 000 | Papua New Guinea |
| Other languages: Wantoat, Telefol, Iatmul, Asmat |
Australian languages
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Warlpiri | 3000 | Northern Territory |
| Western Arunta | 1000 | Northern Territory |
| Eastern Arunta | 1500-2000 | Northern Territory |
| Murrinbata | 1000 | Northern Territory |
| Anindilyakwa | 1000 | Northern Territory and Gulf of Carpentaria |
| Alyawarra | 1500 | Northern Territory and Queensland |
| Wik-Mungkan | 1000 | Queensland |
| Kala Lagaw | 3000-4000 | Torres Strait islands and Queensland |
| Pitjantjara | 2500 | Southern Australia |
Creoles or Pidgin languages
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| West Indian Creole | 650 000 | Martinique, Guadeloupe |
| Haitian Creole | 7 million | Haiti |
| Mauritian Creole | 600 000 | Mauritius Island |
| Creole from Reunion | 600 000 | La Réunion |
| Bichlamar (Melanesian Pidgin) | 190 000 | Vanuatu |
| Other languages: Papiamentu Creole (Dutch West Indies), Neomelanesian Creole from New-Guinea |
Amerindian family (25 million speakers)
Araucanian group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Arauacan | 200 000 | Chili |
| Other languages: Huilliche, Mapudungun |
Quechuan group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Quechua (Runa Simi) | 9 million | Equador, Peru, Bolivia |
| Other languages: Chiquian, Corongo, Huaylas, Huallaga, Panao, Huaylla, Jauja, Chachapoyas |
Aymaran group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Aymara | 1.5 million | Bolivia |
Tupi-Guarani group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Guarani | 3 million | Paraguay |
| Tupi | | Brazil |
| Other languages: Ariqueme, Kawahib, Oyampi |
Arawakan group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Arawak | | Caribean coast |
| Other languages: Chapacuran, Arauan, Chamicura, Gahiban, Mahipuran, Purus |
Chibchan group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Miskito | | Honduras, Nicaragua |
| Cuna | | Panama |
| Other languages: Isthmien, Abura, Talamanca, Barbacoa, Paezan, Coconucoan, Popayanen |
Mayan group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Yucatec (Maya) | 500 000 | Mexico |
| Other languages: Kekchi, Quiche, Mam, Tzotzil, Cakchiquel, Chol, Itza, Jacalteco, Yocatan, Ixil |
Oto-Manguean group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Otomi | | |
| Other languages: Mixtec, Zapotec, Chiquihuitlan Mazatec, Mazahua, Choco, Oaxaca, Mangue |
Uto-Aztecan group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Nahuatl | 900 000 | Central America |
| Other languages: Hopi, Comanche, Luiseno, Cahuilla, Cupeno, Papago, Ute, Mono, Paiute, Pima |
Wakashan group (1500 speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Haisla | | Canada |
| Other languages: Heiltsuk, Kwakiutl, Makah, Nootka |
Siouan group (90 000 speakers)
Missouri River Group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Crow | | |
| Other languages: Hidatsa |
Mandan Group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Mandan | | |
Mississippi Valley Group
Dakotan subgroup
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Sioux (Dakota-Lakota-Nakota) | | |
| Other languages: Assiniboine, Stoney |
Chiwere-Winnebago subgroup
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Chiwere (Ioway-Otoe-Missouria) | | |
| Other languages: Ho-chunk (Winnebago) |
Dhegiha (Dhegihan) subgroup
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Omaha-Ponca | | |
| Other languages: Kansa (Kaw)-Osage, Quapaw (Arkansas) |
Ohio Valley Group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Tutelo | | |
| Other languages: Occaneechi |
Muskogean group (10 000 speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Choctaw | 10 000 | North America (Oklahoma) |
| Muskogee (Creek) | | |
| Other languages: Alabama, Koasati, Mikasuki, Chickasaw |
Iroquoian group (45 000 speakers)
Northern branch
Susquehannock
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Mohawk | | Québec, New York |
| Oneida | | New York, Ontario, Wisconsin |
| Onondaga | | New York, Ontario |
| Seneca | | New York, Ontario |
| Cayuga | | New York, Ontario |
| Susquehannock | | Susquehana valley |
Wendat
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Wendat | | Ontario, Oklahoma |
Tuscarora
| langue | nombre estimé de locuteurs | zone géographique principale |
| Tuscarora | | Ontario |
Southern branch
Cherokee
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Cherokee | 40 000 | North Carolina, Oklahoma |
Algonquian group (130 000 speakers)
Central branch
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Sac-Fox-Kickapoo | | |
| Shawnee | | |
| Other languages: Menomini, Peoria-Miami-Illini |
Cree
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Cree | | |
| Montagnais | | |
| Naskapi | | |
| Other languages: Atikamekw, Oji-Cree |
Ojibwa
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Ojibwa (Chippewa) | 40 000 | |
| Other languages: Algonquin, Ottawa, Potawatomi |
Eastern branch
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Abenaki | | |
| Micmac | | |
| Other languages: Malicite, Delaware |
Plains branch
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Arapaho | | |
| Blackfoot | | |
| Cheyenne | | |
Na-Dene family
Athapaskan group (200 000 speakers)
Northern Athapaskan
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Ahtna | | |
| Dena'ina (Tanaina) | | |
| Other languages: Deg Hit'an (Ingalik, Deg Xinag), Holikachuk (Innoko), Koyukon, Kolchan (Upper Kuskokwim), Lower Tanana, Tanacross, Upper Tanana, Southern Tutchone, Northern Tutchone, Gwich'in (Kutchin), Hän, Tagish, Tahltan, Kaska, Sekani, Dunneza (Beaver), Slavey (Slave), Mountain, Bearlake, Hare, Dogrib, Dene Suline (Chipewyan), Tsetsaut, Babine (North Carrier), Dakelh (Carrier), Chilcotin (Tsilhqot'in), Nicola (Stuwix), Tsuut'ina (Sarsi), Kwalhioqua-Clatskanie (Kwalhioqua-Tlatskanie) |
Pacific Coast Athapaskan
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Hupa (Hoopa-Chilula) | | |
| Other languages: Mattole-Bear River, Eel River, Upper Umpqua, Rogue River (Tututni), Galice-Applegate, Tolowa |
Southern Athapaskan (Apachean)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Plains Apache (Kiowa-Apache) | | |
| Navajo | | |
| Other languages: Chiricahua, Mescalero, Western (Coyotero) Apache, Jicarilla, Lipan |
Eskimo-Aleut family
Aleut group
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Aleut | 2 000 | Aleutian Islands |
Eskimo (Inuit) group
Inuit branch (60 000 speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Inuktitut | | Canada |
| Inuktitut (Kalaallisut) | | Greenland |
| Inuktitut (Inupiak) | 40 000 | Alaska |
Yupik branch
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Yupik | 17 000 | Alaska and Siberia (different dialects) |
Paleo-Siberian languages (10 languages, 23 000 speakers)
| Language | Approx. number of speakers | Main geographic area |
| Ket | 990 | Lenissei |
| Youkaghir | 150 | Arctic Siberia |
| Other languages: Chukchi, Gilyak, Koryak, Tchouktche, Kamchadale, Yuit |
Distribution of main languages in India
Distribution of language families in Africa
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