List of extinct languages of North America
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| Language Endangerment Status | |
|---|---|
| Extinct (EX) | |
| |
| Endangered | |
| Safe | |
| |
Other categories | |
Related topics | |
 UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger categories | |
This is a list of extinct languages of North America, languages which have undergone language death, have no native speakers and no spoken descendant, most of them being languages of former Native American tribes.
There are 196 Indigenous, 2 Creole, 3 European, 4 Sign and 5 Pidgin languages listed. In total 210 languages.
Canada
[edit]Indigenous languages
| Language name | Language family | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beothuk | unclassified | 6 June 1829 | ||
| Laurentian | Iroquoian | late 16th century | ||
| Neutral Huron | Iroquoian | 1671 AD | [1] | |
| Pentlatch | Salishan | 1940 | currently being revived | [2] |
| Petun | Iroquoian | 17th century | ||
| Tagish | Na-Dene | 2008 |
European language dialects
| Language or dialect name | Dialect parent language | Language family | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland Irish | Irish | Indo-European | 20th century |
Pidgin languages
| Language name | Pidgin parent language(s) | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algonquian–Basque pidgin | Basque, Algonquian | approx. 1711 |
Caribbean
[edit]Indigenous languages
| Language name | Language family | Extinction date | Locations | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caquetio | Arawakan | 1862 | ABC islands (Leeward Antilles) | |
| Ciguayo | unclassified | 16th century | Hispaniola | |
| Guanahatabey | unclassified | 16th century | Cuba | |
| Kalinago/Island Carib | Arawakan | 1920s | Windward Islands (Guadeloupe to Grenada, except Barbados) | |
| Macorix | unclassified | 16th century | Hispaniola | |
| Shebaya | Arawakan | 19th century | Trinidad | |
| Taino | Arawakan | 19th century | Widespread throughout Caribbean | |
| Yaio | Cariban | 17th century | Trinidad, French Guiana |
Central America
[edit]Indigenous languages
| Language name | Language family | Extinction date | Locations | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cacaopera | Misumalpan | 20th century | El Salvador | |
| Chiquimulilla | Xincan | 1996 | Guatemala | |
| Chʼoltiʼ language | Mayan | late 18th century | Guatemala, Belize | |
| Guazacapán | Xincan | 1997 | Guatemala | |
| Jumaytepeque | Xincan | 1997 | Guatemala | |
| Lenca | Lencan languages | 20th century | Honduras, El Salvador | |
| Mangue/Chorotega | Oto-Manguean | 19th century | Nicaragua, Honduras, and Costa Rica | |
| Matagalpa | Misumalpan | 1997 | Nicaragua | |
| Sinacantán | Xincan | 20th century | Guatemala | |
| Subtiaba | Oto-Manguean | 20th century | Nicaragua | |
| Western Jicaque | Jicaquean | late 19th centuery | Honduras | |
| Yupiltepeque | Xincan | 1920s | Guatemala |
Greenland
[edit]European language dialects
| Language name | Language family | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenlandic Norse | North Germanic | late 15th or early 16th century |
Pidgin languages
| Language name | Pidgin parent language(s) | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Greenlandic Pidgin | Greenlandic | 19th century |
Mexico
[edit]Indigenous languages
United States
[edit]Indigenous languages
[edit]| Language or dialect name | Language family | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achumawi | Palaihnihan | 2013 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Adai | unclassified | 19th century | ||
| Ais | unclassified | 18th century | ||
| Carolina Algonquian/Pamlico/Croatoan | Algic | 1790s | ||
| Alsea/Yaquina | Language isolate | 1942 | Alsea and Yaquina are thought to be either two related languages or two dialects of the same language | |
| Apalachee | Muskogean | 18th century | Revival attempts underway | |
| Aranama | unclassified | 19th century | ||
| Atakapa | Language isolate | 20th century | ||
| Atsina/Gros Ventre | Algic | 2007 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Atsugewi | Palaihnihan | 1988 | ||
| Awaswas | Utian | 19th century | formerly known as "Santa Cruz" | |
| Barbareño/Ineseño | Chumashan | 1965 | Revival attempts underway. Barbareño and Ineseño may be related dialects of the same language or closely related languages | |
| Bidai | Language isolate | 19th century | ||
| Biloxi | Siouan | 1930s | ||
| Cahto/Kato | Na-Dene | 1960s | ||
| Calusa | unclassified | 19th century | ||
| Catawba | Siouan | 1959 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Cayuse | unclassified | 1930s | ||
| Chalon | Utian | 19th century | ||
| Upper Chehalis | Salishan | 2001 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Lower Chehalis | Salishan | 1990s | ||
| Chemakum/Chimakum/Chimacum | Chimakuan | 19th century | ||
| Chico/Valley Maidu | Maiduan | 21st century | ||
| Chimariko | Language isolate | 1950s | ||
| Chitimacha/Sitimaxa | Language isolate | 1940 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Chiwere/Iowa-Otoe-Missouria/Báxoje-Jíwere-Ñút'achi | Siouan | 1996 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Chochenyo | Utian | 1934 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Coahuilteco | Pakawan | 18th century | ||
| Columbia-Moses | Salishan | 2 May 2023 | Revival attempts underway | [3] |
| Cowlitz | Salishan | 20th century | Revival attempts underway | |
| Cruzeño/Isleño/Island Chumash | Chumashan | 1915 | ||
| Cupeño | Uto-Aztecan | 1987 | ||
| Esselen | Language isolate | 19th century | ||
| Erie | Iroquoian | 17th century | ||
| Etchemin | Algic | 17th century | ||
| Eyak | Na-Dene | 2008 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Galice/Galice-Applegate/Upper Rogue River | Na-Dene | 1963 | ||
| Hanis/Coos | Coosan | 1972 | ||
| Holikachuk | Na-Dene | 2012 | ||
| Central Kalapuya | Kalapuyan | 1954 | ||
| Kansa | Siouan | 1982 | ||
| Karankawa | unclassified | 1858 | ||
| Karkin | Utian | 1950s | ||
| Kathlamet | Chinookan | 1930s | ||
| Kiksht/Upper Chinook/Columbia Chinook/Wasco-Wishram | Chinookan | 2012 | ||
| Kitanemuk | Uto-Aztecan | 1940s | ||
| Kitsai | Caddoan | 1940 | ||
| Klallam/Clallam/Ns'Klallam/S'klallam | Salishan | 2014 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Klamath/Klamath–Modoc/Lutuamian | Plateau Penutian | 2003 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Konomihu | Shastan | 1940s | ||
| Kwalhioqua-Clatskanie | Na-Dene | 20th century | ||
| Loup | Algic | 18th century | ||
| Lower Chinook | Chinookan | 1930s | ||
| Luiseño | Uto-Aztecan | 2010s | ||
| Lushootseed | Salishan | 2008 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Maidu | Maiduan | 2007 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Makah | Wakashan | 2002 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Mandan | Siouan | 2016 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Massachusett/Natick/Wôpanâak/Pokanoket/Nonantum/Indian | Algic | 19th century | Revival attempts underway | |
| Mattole/Mattole-Bear River | Na-Dene | 1930s | ||
| Meherrin | Iroquoian | 18th century | ||
| Miami-Illinois | Algic | 20th century | Revival attempts underway | |
| Miluk/ Lower Coquille | Coosan | 1939 | ||
| Mitchigamea | Siouan | 18th century | ||
| Bay Miwok | Utian | (date missing) | ||
| Coast Miwok | Utian | 1970 | ||
| Lake Miwok | Utian | 1990s | ||
| Northern Sierra Miwok | Utian | 1990s | ||
| Plains Miwok | Utian | 1990s | ||
| Mohican/Mahican | Algic | 1940s | Revival attempts underway | |
| Mohegan-Pequot/Mohegan-Pequot-Montauk/Secatogue/Shinnecock-Poosepatuck | Algic | 1908 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Molala | Plateau Penutian | 1958 | ||
| Moneton | Siouan | late 17th century | ||
| Mutsun | Utian | 1930 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Nanticoke/Piscataway | Algic | 1840s | Revival attempts underway. Nanticoke and Piscataway may be related dialects of the same language or closely related languages | |
| Narragansett | Algic | 18th-19th century | ||
| Natchez | Language isolate | 1957 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Nawathinehena | Algic | 19th century | ||
| Nicoleño | Uto-Aztecan | 1853 | ||
| Nisenan | Maiduan | 2000s | Revival attempts underway | |
| Nooksack | Salishan | 1988 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Nomlaki | Wintuan | 20th century | ||
| Northern Kalapuyan | Kalapuyan | 1937 | ||
| Nottoway/Cheroenhaka | Iroquoian | 1838 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Obispeño | Chumashan | 1917 | ||
| Ofo | Siouan | 20th century | ||
| Okwanuchu | Shastan | 20th century | ||
| Osage | Siouan | 2005 | As of 2009, 15-20 2L speakers and ongoing revival | |
| Piro Pueblo | Tanoan | 1900 | ||
| Plains Apache | Na-Dene | 2008 | ||
| Central Pomo | Pomoan | 20th century | ||
| Eastern Pomo/Clear Lake Pomo | Pomoan | 2007 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Northern Pomo | Pomoan | 2005 | ||
| Northeastern Pomo | Pomoan | 1961 | ||
| Southern Pomo | Pomoan | 2020 | ||
| Powhatan/Virginia Algonquian | Algic | 18th century | ||
| Purisimeño | Chumashan | early 20th century | ||
| Quileute | Chimakuan | 1999 | ||
| Quinault language | Salishan | 1996 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Quiripi/Mattabesic/Quiripi-Unquachog/Quiripi-Naugatuck/Wampano | Algic | 20th century | ||
| Ramaytush | Utian | 1915 | ||
| Rumsen/Rumsien/San Carlos Costanoan/Carmeleno | Utian | 1939 | ||
| Salinan | unclassified | 1958 | ||
| Scahentoarrhonon | Iroquoian | approx. 1652 | ||
| Serrano | Uto-Aztecan | 2002 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Shasta | Shastan | 20th century | ||
| New River Shasta | Shastan | 1926 | ||
| Siuslaw | Language isolate | 1960 | ||
| Southern Patwin | Wintuan | (date missing) | ||
| Susquehannock/Conestoga | Iroquoian | 18th century | ||
| Takelma | Language isolate | 1934 | ||
| Tamien | Utian | (date missing) | ||
| Tataviam | Uto-Aztecan | 1916 | ||
| Tillamook | Salishan | 1972 | ||
| Timucua | Language isolate | 18th century | ||
| Tongva/Gabrielino/Gabrieleño | Uto-Aztecan | 20th century | Revival attempts underway | |
| Tonkawa | Language isolate | 1940s | ||
| Tübatulabal | Uto-Aztecan | 2008 | Revival attempts underway[4] | |
| Tunica/Luhchi Yoroni/Tonica/Yuron | Language isolate | 1948 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Tuscarora | Iroquoian | 2020 | ||
| Tutelo/Tutelo–Saponi | Siouan | 1982 | ||
| Tututni/(Lower) Rogue River/Upper Coquille/Nuu-wee-ya | Na-Dene | 1983 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Twana/Skokomish | Salishan | 1980 | ||
| Upper Umpqua | Na-Dene | 1950s | ||
| Unami | Algic | 2002 | ||
| Vanyume | Uto-Aztecan | (date missing) | ||
| Ventureño | Chumashan | 20th century | ||
| Wailaki/Eel River Athabaskan | Na-Dene | 1960s | ||
| Wappo | Yuki–Wappo | 1990 | ||
| Wenro | Iroquoian | 17th century | ||
| Wichita | Caddoan | 2016 | ||
| Wintu | Wintuan | 2003 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Wiyot/Wishosk/Soulatluk | Algic | 1962 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Woccon | Siouan | early 18th century | Revival attempts underway | |
| Yana/Yanan | Language isolate | 1916 | ||
| Yoncalla/Southern Kalapuya/Yonkalla | Kalapuyan | 1930s | ||
| Yuchi | Language isolate | August 27 2021 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Yuki/Ukomno'm | Yuki–Wappo | 1983 | ||
| Yurok/Chillula/Mita/Pekwan/Rikwa/Sugon/Weitspek/Weitspekan | Algic | 2013 | Revival attempts underway |
European languages or dialects
[edit]| Language name | Language family | Extinction date | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jersey Dutch | Indo-European | 20th century |
Creole languages or dialects
[edit]| Language name | Creole parent language(s) | Extinction date | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohawk Dutch | Dutch creole and Mohawk | 19-20th century |
| Language name | Pidgin parent language(s) | Extinction date | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broken Oghibbeway | Ottawa Ojibwe and Fox | after 1820s | |
| Pidgin Delaware | Delaware | 19th century | |
| Mobilian Jargon | Muskogean | 1950s |
Sign languages
[edit]| Language name | Extinction date | References |
|---|---|---|
| Henniker Sign Language | 20th century | |
| Martha's Vineyard Sign Language | 1952 | |
| Plateau Sign Language | 18th century | |
| Sandy River Valley Sign Language | 19th century |
U.S. Virgin Islands
[edit]Creole languages
| Language name | Creole parent language(s) | Extinction date | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Negerhollands | Dutch creole, Danish, English, French, Spanish, and African | 1987 |
United States and Canada
[edit]Indigenous languages
| Language or dialect name | Dialect parent language | Language family | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Abnaki dialect | Abnaki language | Algic | 1993 | [5] | |
| Wyandot | Iroquoian | 1972 | Revival attempts underway by the Wyandotte Nation (United States) and Huron-Wendat Nation (Canada) | [6] | |
| Tsetsaut | Na-Dene | early 1930s |
United States and Mexico
[edit]Indigenous languages
| Language or dialect name | Language family | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotoname | Pakawan | 20th century | ||
| Garza | Pakawan | 19th century | ||
| Ópata | Uto-Aztecan | 20th century | Revival attempts underway among Opata people | |
| Solano | unclassified | 18th century |
See also
[edit]- List of extinct Uto-Aztecan languages
- List of extinct languages of South America
- Extinct languages of the Marañón River basin
References
[edit]- ^ "The Neutral Confederacy". The Canadian Encyclopedia
- ^ "Maclean's - November 2020". magazine.macleans.ca. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
- ^ "Last Fluent Speaker of Nxamxcin Language Dies at 96". The Spokesman. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
- ^ "Pahka'anil (Tübatulabal) Text Project - Home". web.csulb.edu.
- ^ "Penobscot". Native Languages of the Americas. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
- ^ Pulte, William. 1999. "The Last Speaker of Wyandot". Algonquian and Iroquoian Linguistics 24(4):43-44.