List of extinct languages of North America

Language Endangerment Status
Extinct (EX)
  • Extinct (EX)
Endangered
  • Critically Endangered (CR)
  • Severely Endangered (SE)
  • Definitely Endangered (DE)
  • Vulnerable (VU)
  • (list)
  • (list)
  • (list)
  • (list)
Safe
  • no list
Other categories
Related topics

UNESCO Atlas of the World's
Languages in Danger categories

This article is a list of languages and dialects that have no native speakers, no spoken descendants, and that diverged from their parent language in North America. Most of these languages are languages of former Native American tribes.

There are 220 Indigenous, 2 Creole, 3 European, 5 Sign and 13 Pidgin languages listed. In total 243 languages.

Canada

Indigenous languages

Language name Language family Extinction date Notes References
Beothuk unclassified 6 June 1829 [1]
Laurentian Iroquoian late 16th century [2]
Neutral Huron Iroquoian 1671 [3]
Nicola Na-Dene early 20th century [4]
Pentlatch Salishan 1940 Revival attempts underway [5]
Petun Iroquoian 17th century [6]
Tagish Na-Dene 2008 [7]
Southern Tsimshian Tsimshianic 2013 Revival attempts underway [8]

European language dialects

Language or dialect name Dialect parent language Language family Extinction date Notes References
Newfoundland Irish Irish Indo-European 20th century [9]

Pidgin languages

Language name Pidgin parent language(s) Extinction date Notes References
Algonquian–Basque pidgin Basque, Algonquian approx. 1711 [10]
Haida Jargon Haida 1830s [11]
Inuktitut-English Pidgin Inuktitut, English 1960s [12]
Labrador Inuit Pidgin French French, Inuktitut 18th century [13]
Nootka Jargon Nuu-chah-nulth (date missing)
Slavey Jargon Slavey, French 19th century [14]

Caribbean

Indigenous languages

Language name Language family Extinction date Locations References
Caquetio Arawakan 1862 ABC islands (Leeward Antilles) [15]
Ciguayo unclassified 16th century Hispaniola [16]
Guanahatabey unclassified 16th century Cuba [17]
Kalinago/Island Carib/Iñeri Arawakan 1920s Windward Islands (Guadeloupe to Grenada, except Barbados) [18]
Macorix unclassified 16th century Hispaniola [19]
Shebayo Arawakan attested 17th century Trinidad [20]
Taíno Arawakan 17th century Widespread throughout Caribbean [21]
Yao Cariban 17th century Trinidad, French Guiana [22]

Central America

Indigenous languages

Language name Language family Extinction date Locations References
Alagüilac unclassified before 16th century Guatemala
Cacaopera Misumalpan 20th century El Salvador
Chiquimulilla Xincan 1996 Guatemala
Chʼoltiʼ Mayan late 18th century Guatemala, Belize
Corobicí Chibchan (date missing) Costa Rica
Cueva unclassified (Choco?) by 1535 Panama [23]
Dorasque Chibchan (date missing) Panama
Huetar Chibchan 17th century Costa Rica
Guazacapán Xincan 1997 Guatemala
Jumaytepeque Xincan 1997 Guatemala
Honduran Lenca Lencan 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
Voto Chibchan (date missing) Costa Rica
Western Jicaque Jicaquean late 19th centuery Honduras
Yupiltepeque Xincan 1920s Guatemala

Sign languages

Language name Extinction date References
Bribri Sign Language by 1991

Greenland

European language dialects

Language name Language family Extinction date Notes References
Greenlandic Norse North Germanic late 15th or early 16th century [24]

Pidgin languages

Language name Pidgin parent language(s) Extinction date Notes References
West Greenlandic Pidgin Greenlandic 19th century [25]

Mexico

Indigenous languages

Language or dialect name Dialect parent language Language family Extinction date Notes References
Acaxee Uto-Aztecan 17–18th century
Cabil Mayan (date missing) May be Chicomuceltec
Cazcan/Caxcan/Kaskán Uto-Aztecan 16th or 17th century
Chiapanec Oto-Manguean 20th century
Chicomuceltec Mayan 1970s or 1980s
Chontal of Guerrero unclassified (date missing)
Chumbia unclassified (date missing)
Cochimí Yuman–Cochimí early 20th century
Comecrudo Comecrudan 19th century
Cuitlatec/Cuitlateco Language isolate 1960s
Classical Náhuatl Nahuatl Uto-Aztecan late 16th century used as the lingua franca of the Aztec Empire until its collapse
Eudeve Uto-Aztecan 1930s
Mamulique Comecrudan 19th century
Maratino unclassified (date missing)
Monqui unclassified (date missing)
Naolan unclassified 1950s
Otomi (Jalisco) unclassified (date missing)
Quinigua unclassified (date missing)
Southern Pame Pame Oto-Manguean mid 20th century
Pericú unclassified before 1800
Pochutec Uto-Aztecan 20th century
Solteco Zapotec Zapotec Oto-Manguean 19th century
Tapachultec Mixe–Zoque 1930s
Teojomulco Chatino Chatino Oto-Manguean early 20th century
Tepecano Uto-Aztecan 20th century
Tequistlatec Tequistlatecan (date missing)
Tubar Uto-Aztecan 20th century
Waikuri unclassified before 1800
Xixime Uto-Aztecan 17–18th century
Zapotec (Jalisco) unclassified (date missing)

United States

Indigenous languages

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/Šmuwič Chumashan 1965 Revival attempts underway. Barbareño and Ineseño may be related dialects of the same language or closely related languages
Bidai unclassified 19th century
Biloxi Siouan 1930s
Caddo/Hasí꞉nay Caddoan 14 July 2025 Revival attempts underway [26]
Cahto/Kato Na-Dene 1960s
Calusa unclassified 19th century
Catawba Siouan 1959 Revival attempts underway
Cayuse Language isolate 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 Language isolate 18th century
Columbia-Moses Salishan 2 May 2023 Revival attempts underway [27]
Cowlitz Salishan 20th century Revival attempts underway
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
Halchidhoma/Xalychidom Yuman–Cochimí (date missing)
Hanis/Coos Coosan 1972
Holikachuk Na-Dene 2012
Houma Muskogean after 1907 Revival attempts underway
Hupa Na-Dene 7 March 2026
Ineseño/Sʰamala Chumashan 1965 Revival attempts underway. Barbareño and Ineseño may be related dialects of the same language or closely related languages
Island Chumash/Isleño/Cruzeño Chumashan 1915
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 May have been 5 different languages
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. As of 2014, 5 children are native speakers, 15 are proficient second-language speakers and 500 are adult second-language learners.[28][29]
Mattole/Mattole-Bear River Na-Dene 1930s
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
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
Nansemond unclassified before 20th century May have been Algic
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/tiłhini Chumashan 1917
Ofo Siouan 20th century
Okwanuchu Shastan 20th century
Osage Siouan 3 November 2005 As of 2009, 15–20 2L speakers and ongoing revival [30][31]
Pamunkey unclassified before 20th century May have been Algic
Piro Pueblo Tanoan 1900
Plains Apache Na-Dene 2008
Lipan Apache Na-Dene early 21st century Presumely
Central Pomo Pomoan before 2000
Eastern Pomo/Clear Lake Pomo Pomoan 2007 Revival attempts underway
Northern Pomo Pomoan 2005 Revival attempts underway
Northeastern Pomo Pomoan 1961
Southern Pomo Pomoan 2014 Revival attempts underway
Powhatan/Virginia Algonquian Algic 18th century
Purisimeño Chumashan early 20th century
Quapaw Siouan 19 April 2022 [32]
Quileute Chimakuan 1999
Quinault 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 Language isolate 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
Taensa Language isolate late 19th century Probably Natchez dialect.
Takelma Language isolate 1934
Tamien Utian (date missing)
Tataviam Uto-Aztecan 1916
Tawasa Language isolate 18th century Possibly Timucuan dialect.
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[33]
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
Ventureño/Mitsqanaqa'n 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

Language name Language family Extinction date References
Jersey Dutch Indo-European 20th century [34]

Creole languages or dialects

Language name Creole parent language(s) Extinction date References
Mohawk Dutch Dutch creole and Mohawk 19–20th century [35]

Pidgin languages

Language name Pidgin parent language(s) Extinction date References
Broken Oghibbeway Ottawa Ojibwe and Fox after 1820s [36]
Pidgin Delaware Delaware 19th century [37]
Massachusett Pidgin Massachusett early 18th century [38]
Massachusett Pidgin English English and Massachusett early 19th century [38]
Mobilian Jargon Muskogean 1950s [39]

Sign languages

Language name Extinction date References
Henniker Sign Language 20th century [40]
Martha's Vineyard Sign Language 1952 [41]
Plateau Sign Language 18th century [42]
Sandy River Valley Sign Language 19th century [40]

U.S. Virgin Islands

Creole languages

Language name Creole parent language(s) Extinction date References
Negerhollands Dutch creole, Danish, English, French, Spanish, and African 1987 [43]

United States and Canada

Indigenous languages

Language or dialect name Dialect parent language Language family Extinction date Notes References
Eastern Abenaki Abenaki language Algic 1993 [44]
Wyandot Iroquoian 1972 Revival attempts underway by the Wyandotte Nation (United States) and Huron-Wendat Nation (Canada) [45]
Tsetsaut Na-Dene early 1930s [46]

Pidgin languages

Language name Pidgin parent language(s) Extinction date Notes References
Eskimo Trade Jargon Iñupiaq 20th century [47]

United States and Mexico

Indigenous languages

Language or dialect name Language family Extinction date Notes References
Amotomanco unclassified (date missing) [48]
Cotoname Language isolate 20th century [49]
Garza Comecrudan 19th century
Ópata Uto-Aztecan 20th century Revival attempts underway among Opata people [50]
Solano unclassified 18th century [51]

See also

References

  1. ^ Ivan Semeniuk (October 13, 2017). "DNA deepens mystery of lost Beothuk people in Newfoundland". Globe and Mail. p. A1.
  2. ^ James F. Pendergast. (1998). "The Confusing Identities Attributed to Stadacona and Hochelaga" Archived 2014-08-12 at the Wayback Machine, Journal of Canadian Studies, Volume 32, p. 149, accessed 3 Feb 2010
  3. ^ "The Neutral Confederacy". The Canadian Encyclopedia
  4. ^ "The Nicola Language".
  5. ^ "Maclean's - November 2020". magazine.macleans.ca. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  6. ^ McMillan, Alan D.; Yellowhorn, Eldon (2004). First Peoples In Canada (3rd ed.). Douglas & McIntyre. ISBN 1-55365-053-0.
  7. ^ "Lucy Wren • Biography". Archived from the original on 2011-05-24.
  8. ^ Dunlop, Britt; Gessner, Suzanne; Herbert, Tracey; Parker, Aliana (2018). Report on the status of B.C. First Nations Languages (PDF) (Report) (3rd ed.). First People's Cultural Council.
  9. ^ "Language: Irish Gaelic". Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  10. ^ Bakker, Peter (Fall–Winter 1989). "'The Language of the Coast Tribes is Half Basque': A Basque-American Indian Pidgin in Use between Europeans and Native Americans in North America, ca. 1540-ca. 1640". Anthropological Linguistics. 31 (3/4). Trustees of Indiana University: 117–147. JSTOR 30027995.
  11. ^ Lyle Campbell (1997) American Indian Languages, p. 24
  12. ^ Marianne Mithun (2001) The Languages of Native North America, p 595
  13. ^ Arends, Jacques; Muysken, Pieter; Smith, Norval (1995). Pidgins and Creoles: An Introduction. John Benjamins Publishing. p. 139. ISBN 978-90-272-5236-4.
  14. ^ Mishler, Craig (2008-09-17). "'That's a Rubbaboo'". Journal of Pidgin and Creole Languages. 23 (2): 264–287. doi:10.1075/jpcl.23.2.04mis. ISSN 0920-9034.
  15. ^ "The First Inhabitants of Aruba" (PDF). The National Archaeological Museum Aruba. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-13. Retrieved 2014-12-26.
  16. ^ Guitar, Lynne (2005). "Following Linguistic Trails across Half a Millennium Provides New Answers to Old Questions". H-LatAm (H-Net).
  17. ^ Granberry, Julian; Vescelius, Gary (1992). Languages of the Pre-Columbian Antilles. University of Alabama Press. ISBN 081735123X.
  18. ^ Taylor, Douglas MacRae (1977). Languages of the West Indies. Johns Hopkins studies in Atlantic history and culture. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-1729-8.
  19. ^ Wilson, Samuel M. (1999). Cultural Pluralism and the Emergence of Complex Society in the Greater Antilles. XVIII International Congress for Caribbean Archaeology. St. George's, Grenada: University of Texas, Department of Anthropology. Archived from the original on March 30, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  20. ^ Laet, Johannes : de; Dusent, Cornelis Claessen (1633). Nouus orbis seu Descriptionis Indiae occidentalis libri 18. Authore Ioanne de Laet Antuerp. nouis tabulis geographicis et variis animantium, plantarum fructuumque iconibus illustrati (in Latin). apud Elzevirios. p. 642.
  21. ^ Aikhenvald, Alexandra Y. (2012). The Languages of the Amazon. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 31.
  22. ^ Tassinari (2003) No Bom da Festa, p 122–125
  23. ^ Constela Umaña, Adolfo; Margery Peña, Enrique (2015-08-31). "Elementos de fonología comparada Chocó*". Revista de Filología y Lingüística de la Universidad de Costa Rica. 17 (1–2): 137. doi:10.15517/rfl.v17i1-2.20972. ISSN 2215-2628.
  24. ^ Hagland, Jan Ragnar (2002). "Language loss and destandardization in the Late Middle Ages and Early Modern Times". In The Nordic Languages : An International Handbook of the History of the North Germanic Languages : Volume 2, pp. 1233–1237. ISBN 311017149X
  25. ^ Hein van der Voort, "Eskimo pidgin", in Arends, Muysken, & Smith (eds), 1995, Pidgins and Creoles: an introduction
  26. ^ "Caddo Nation mourns loss of last fluent language speaker". KOCO News. 2025-07-16. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
  27. ^ "Last Fluent Speaker of Nxamxcin Language Dies at 96". The Spokesman. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  28. ^ Saskia De Melker, "'We Still Live Here' Traces Comeback of Wampanoag Indian Language", PBS Newshour, 11-10-2011, accessed 18 November 2011
  29. ^ Rose, Christina (2014-02-25). "Sleeping Language Waking Up Thanks to Wampanoag Reclamation Project". Indian Country Today Media Network. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-26.
  30. ^ "Endangered Languages Project - Osage". endangeredlanguages.com. Retrieved 2015-08-16.
  31. ^ "Words of the Tribe - Age of the Osage". ageoftheosage.typepad.com. Retrieved 2015-08-16.
  32. ^ "Ardina Revard Moore Obituary". Osage News. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  33. ^ "Pahka'anil (Tübatulabal) Text Project - Home". web.csulb.edu.
  34. ^ "Jersey Dutch, still spoken near New York a century ago | DUTCH the magazine". Archived from the original on 2016-12-23. Retrieved 2016-12-22.
  35. ^ Pearson, Jonathan; MacMurray, Junius W. (1883). A History of the Schenectady Patent in the Dutch and English Times. Albany, NY: Joel Munsell's Sons.
  36. ^ Nichols, John. 1995. "The Ojibwe verb in 'Broken Oghibbeway.'" Amsterdam Creole Studies 12, pp. 1-2.
  37. ^ Goddard, Ives. 1977. "Some early examples of American Indian Pidgin English from New England." International Journal of American Linguistics
  38. ^ a b Thomason, S. G. (1997). Contact Languages: A Wider Perspective. (p. 95). Philadelphia, PA: John Benjamins Publishing.
  39. ^ Drechsel, Emanuel (1996). An Integrated Vocabulary of Mobilian Jargon, a Native American Pidgin of the Mississippi Valley. The Trustees of Indiana University. pp. 248–354.
  40. ^ a b Lane, Pillard, & French, "Origins of the American Deaf-World: Assimilating and Differentiating Societies and Their Relation to Genetic Patterning". In Emmorey & Lane, eds, The Signs of Language Revisited, 2000
  41. ^ Romm, Cari (2015-09-25). "The Life and Death of Martha's Vineyard Sign Language". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on 2018-07-04. Retrieved 2018-07-04.
  42. ^ "Indigenous sign languages in Canada | Darin Flynn | University of Calgary". www.ucalgary.ca. Retrieved 2025-09-30.
  43. ^ van Rossem & van der Voort 1996, p. 33
  44. ^ "Penobscot". Native Languages of the Americas. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  45. ^ Pulte, William. 1999. "The Last Speaker of Wyandot". Algonquian and Iroquoian Linguistics 24(4):43-44.
  46. ^ "Tsetsaut". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  47. ^ Stefánsson, V. (1909). "The Eskimo Trade Jargon of Herschel Island". American Anthropologist. 41 (2): 217–227. ISSN 0002-7294.
  48. ^ Dagostino, Carmen; Mithun, Marianne; Rice, Keren, eds. (2023-12-04). The Languages and Linguistics of Indigenous North America: A Comprehensive Guide, Vol. 2. De Gruyter. doi:10.1515/9783110712742. ISBN 978-3-11-071274-2.
  49. ^ Zamponi, Raoul (2024-12-02), Wichmann, Søren (ed.), "5 Extinct lineages and unclassified languages of Mexico", The Languages and Linguistics of Mexico and Northern Central America, De Gruyter, pp. 99–158, doi:10.1515/9783110421705-005, ISBN 978-3-11-042170-5, retrieved 2025-06-08{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link)
  50. ^ "Language - Official Opata Nation website". 2019-05-20. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
  51. ^ Campbell, Lyle (3 October 2017). Language Isolates. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-61091-5.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.