List of language families

List of language families

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

Traditional geographical classification (not implying genetic relationship) Legend:   Andamanese languages  Australian languages and Tasmanian languages  Caucasian languages  Khoisan languages  Nuba Mountains languages  Paleo-Siberian languages  Papuan languages

<table><thead><tr><th>Family</th><th>Languages</th><th>Current speakers</th><th>Location</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Afroasiatic</td><td>381</td><td>499,294,669</td><td>Africa, Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Aroid</td><td>5</td><td>438,100</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Atlantic–Congo</td><td>1,410</td><td>500,000,000</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Berta</td><td>6</td><td>380,000</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Central Sudanic</td><td>63</td><td>9,145,280</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Daju</td><td>7</td><td>261,000</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Dizoid</td><td>3</td><td>88,840</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Dogon</td><td>20</td><td>630,820</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Eastern Jebel</td><td>4</td><td>104,600</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Fur</td><td>2</td><td>786,900</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Gumuz</td><td>3</td><td>253,680</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Heiban</td><td>10</td><td>276,690</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Ijaw</td><td>9</td><td>3,221,650</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Kadu</td><td>6</td><td>120,600</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Katla-Tima</td><td>3</td><td>25,000</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Khoe-Kwadi</td><td>14</td><td>337,337</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Koman</td><td>5</td><td>94,000</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Kresh-Aja</td><td>3</td><td>48,200</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Kru</td><td>38</td><td>3,800,000</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Kuliak</td><td>3</td><td>14,070</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Kunama</td><td>2</td><td>181,000</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Kxʼa</td><td>5</td><td>104,000</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Maban</td><td>10</td><td>1,115,260</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Mande</td><td>75</td><td>27,003,000</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Nilotic</td><td>55</td><td>33,306,780</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Nubian</td><td>13</td><td>842,050</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Nyima</td><td>2</td><td>162,000</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Rashad</td><td>2</td><td>126,000</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Saharan</td><td>10</td><td>10,940,500</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Songhay</td><td>10</td><td>3,228,000</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Surmic</td><td>11</td><td>544,680</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Talodi</td><td>8</td><td>112,250</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Taman</td><td>4</td><td>128,800</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Ta-Ne-Omotic</td><td>23</td><td>7,383,320</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Temein</td><td>2</td><td>14,400</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Tuu</td><td>9</td><td>2,500</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Zande</td><td>6</td><td>1,898,500</td><td>Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Indo-European</td><td>586</td><td>3,237,999,904</td><td>Global</td></tr><tr><td>Uralic</td><td>49</td><td>20,716,457</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Tyrsenian</td><td>3 or 4</td><td>extinct</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Turkic</td><td>35</td><td>179,945,933</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Hurro-Urartian</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Northwest Caucasian</td><td>4</td><td>1,655,000</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Northeast Caucasian</td><td>29</td><td>4,155,258</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Kartvelian</td><td>4</td><td>4,850,000</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Dravidian</td><td>84</td><td>252,807,610</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Great Andamanese</td><td>10</td><td>3</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Ongan</td><td>2</td><td>296</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Yeniseian</td><td>6</td><td>153</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Yukaghir</td><td>4</td><td>516</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Sino-Tibetan</td><td>514</td><td>1,385,995,195</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Mijiic</td><td>2</td><td>29,500</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Hmong–Mien</td><td>43</td><td>9,332,070</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Kra–Dai</td><td>95</td><td>81,549,828</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Austroasiatic</td><td>158</td><td>116,323,040</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Austronesian</td><td>1,274</td><td>325,862,510</td><td>Africa, Eurasia, Oceania</td></tr><tr><td>Tungusic</td><td>15</td><td>55,800</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Mongolic</td><td>16</td><td>7,269,480</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Koreanic</td><td>2</td><td>77,269,890</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Nivkh</td><td>2</td><td>200</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Japonic</td><td>13</td><td>129,240,180</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Ainu</td><td>3</td><td>extinct</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Chukotko-Kamchatkan</td><td>7</td><td>6,875</td><td>Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Trans–New Guinea</td><td>376</td><td>3,678,184</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Torricelli</td><td>57</td><td>114,565</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Sepik</td><td>49</td><td>263,404</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Lower Sepik</td><td>6</td><td>13,070</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Timor–Alor–Pantar</td><td>23</td><td>380,120</td><td>Lesser Sunda Islands</td></tr><tr><td>Lakes Plain</td><td>20</td><td>8,455</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Yam</td><td>19</td><td>7,677</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Anim</td><td>17</td><td>32,898</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Border</td><td>15</td><td>17,080</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>North Halmahera</td><td>15</td><td>279,035</td><td>Halmahera</td></tr><tr><td>Angan</td><td>13</td><td>103,739</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Geelvink Bay</td><td>10</td><td>8,005</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Sko</td><td>10</td><td>5,665</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>South Bougainville</td><td>9</td><td>68,700</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Baining</td><td>6</td><td>13,800</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Strickland</td><td>8</td><td>6,175</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Goilalan</td><td>6</td><td>47,330</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Kiwaia</td><td>6</td><td>38,030</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Left May</td><td>6</td><td>2,005</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>South Bird's Head</td><td>6</td><td>8,200</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Eleman</td><td>5</td><td>45,240</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Foja Range</td><td>26</td><td>23,845</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Pauwasi</td><td>5</td><td>3,880</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>West Bird's Head</td><td>5</td><td>20,090</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Yuat</td><td>5</td><td>7,700</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Eastern Trans-Fly</td><td>4</td><td>6,760</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>North Bougainville</td><td>4</td><td>10,020</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Demta–Sentani</td><td>4</td><td>36,680</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Gogodala–Suki</td><td>4</td><td>30,160</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Kikorian</td><td>6</td><td>13,510</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Walio</td><td>4</td><td>856</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>East Bird's Head</td><td>3</td><td>34,800</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Mairasi</td><td>3</td><td>4,385</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Amto–Musan</td><td>2</td><td>720</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Baibai-Fas</td><td>2</td><td>2,840</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Bulaka River</td><td>3</td><td>520</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Hatam-Mansim</td><td>2</td><td>16,000</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Inanwatan–Duriankere</td><td>2</td><td>1,130</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Kaure-Kosare</td><td>2</td><td>700</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Konda-Yahadian</td><td>2</td><td>1,000</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Senu River</td><td>3</td><td>1,510</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Lepki-Murkim-Kembra</td><td>3</td><td>840</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Namla-Tofanma</td><td>2</td><td>280</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Pahoturi</td><td>2</td><td>4,050</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Madang–Upper Yuat</td><td>112</td><td>>10,000</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Senagi</td><td>2</td><td>2,960</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Taulil-Butam</td><td>2</td><td>2,000</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Ramu</td><td>29</td><td>64,730</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Teberan–Pawaian</td><td>4</td><td>37,100</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Yawa-Saweru</td><td>2</td><td>10,300</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Central Solomon</td><td>4</td><td>14,800</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Chimbu-Wahgi</td><td>15</td><td>613,400</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Engan</td><td>9</td><td>606,930</td><td>New Guinea</td></tr><tr><td>Pama–Nyungan</td><td>250</td><td>23,539</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Gunwinyguan</td><td>5</td><td>1,314</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Western Daly</td><td>3</td><td>21</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Nyulnyulan</td><td>3</td><td>94</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Worrorran</td><td>3</td><td>108</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Mirndi</td><td>3</td><td>261</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Iwaidjan</td><td>4</td><td>491</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Mangarrayi-Maran</td><td>4</td><td>10</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Maningrida</td><td>4</td><td>1,434</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Tangkic</td><td>4</td><td>73</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Jarrakan</td><td>3</td><td>130</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Bunuban</td><td>2</td><td>100</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Eastern Daly</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Garrwan</td><td>2</td><td>130</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Limilngan-Wulna</td><td>2</td><td>23</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Marrku-Wurrugu</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Northeastern Tasmanian</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Northern Daly</td><td>2</td><td>8</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Southeastern Tasmanian</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Western Tasmanian</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Northern Tasmanian</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>Australia</td></tr><tr><td>Eskaleut</td><td>10</td><td>108,705</td><td>North America, Eurasia</td></tr><tr><td>Na-Dene</td><td>46</td><td>208,552</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Tsimshianic</td><td>4</td><td>2,910</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Wakashan</td><td>6</td><td>710</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Salishan</td><td>25</td><td>1,969</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Chimakuan</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Chinookan</td><td>4</td><td>extinct</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Kalapuyan</td><td>3</td><td>extinct</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Coosan</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Plateau</td><td>4</td><td>125</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Shastan</td><td>4</td><td>extinct</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Comecrudan</td><td>3</td><td>extinct</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Yuki–Wappo</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Pomoan</td><td>7</td><td>47</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Wintuan</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Palaihnihan</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Maiduan</td><td>4</td><td>extinct</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Utian</td><td>13</td><td>18</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Chumashan</td><td>6</td><td>extinct</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Uto-Aztecan</td><td>58</td><td>1,910,442</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Yuman–Cochimí</td><td>12</td><td>3,710</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Siouan</td><td>14</td><td>33,399</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Algic</td><td>47</td><td>214,768</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Tanoan–Kiowa</td><td>6</td><td>6,000</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Caddoan</td><td>5</td><td>20</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Totonacan</td><td>12</td><td>282,250</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Oto-Manguean</td><td>176</td><td>1,678,214</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Mixe–Zoque</td><td>17</td><td>153,612</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Tequistlatecan</td><td>3</td><td>5,494</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Muskogean</td><td>6</td><td>15,640</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Mayan</td><td>31</td><td>6,522,182</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Xincan</td><td>5</td><td>extinct</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Jicaquean</td><td>2</td><td>500</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Lencan</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Misumalpan</td><td>5</td><td>709,000</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Iroquoian</td><td>9</td><td>14,543</td><td>North America</td></tr><tr><td>Arawakan</td><td>77</td><td>699,709</td><td>North America, South America</td></tr><tr><td>Chibchan</td><td>27</td><td>306,267</td><td>North America, South America</td></tr><tr><td>Chocoan</td><td>9</td><td>114,600</td><td>North America, South America</td></tr><tr><td>Andoque–Urequena</td><td>2</td><td>370</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Cariban</td><td>42</td><td>67,376</td><td>North America, South America</td></tr><tr><td>Barbacoan</td><td>6</td><td>24,800</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Chicham</td><td>4</td><td>89,630</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Quechuan</td><td>45</td><td>7,768,820</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Aymaran</td><td>4</td><td>2,808,740</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Uru–Chipaya</td><td>2</td><td>1,200</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Huarpean</td><td>3</td><td>extinct</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Araucanian</td><td>2</td><td>262,000</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Chonan</td><td>6</td><td>extinct</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Alacalufan</td><td>3</td><td>10</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Guajiboan</td><td>5</td><td>39,290</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Nukak–Kakwa</td><td>2</td><td>610</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Otomákoan</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Piaroa–Saliban</td><td>3</td><td>18,630</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Nadahup</td><td>4</td><td>2,894</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Yanomaman</td><td>4</td><td>31,670</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Tucanoan</td><td>23</td><td>30,308</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Boran</td><td>2</td><td>1,500</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Witotoan</td><td>7</td><td>17,478</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Peba–Yaguan</td><td>3</td><td>5,700</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Zaparoan</td><td>3</td><td>90</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Hibito–Cholon</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Cahuapanan</td><td>2</td><td>10,370</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Ticuna–Yuri</td><td>2</td><td>48,580</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Panoan</td><td>38</td><td>48,679</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Arawan</td><td>6</td><td>5,870</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Harákmbut–Katukinan</td><td>4</td><td>3,310</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Tupian</td><td>70</td><td>5,026,502</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Chapacuran</td><td>4</td><td>2,019</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Nambikwaran</td><td>6</td><td>1,068</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Bororoan</td><td>3</td><td>1,392</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Kariri</td><td>4</td><td>extinct</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Zamucoan</td><td>2</td><td>5,900</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Tacanan</td><td>7</td><td>2,860</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Mascoian</td><td>6</td><td>20,728</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Matacoan</td><td>7</td><td>60,280</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Guaicuruan</td><td>4</td><td>49,350</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Macro-Jê</td><td>29</td><td>51,093</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Charruan</td><td>3</td><td>extinct</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Purian</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Puquina</td><td>4</td><td>extinct</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Cañari–Puruhá</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Jirajaran</td><td>3</td><td>extinct</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Lule-Vilela</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Timotean</td><td>2</td><td>extinct</td><td>South America</td></tr><tr><td>Tiniguan</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>South America</td></tr></tbody></table>

Sign language families

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

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

Maps of several language families

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