List of endangered languages in Mexico

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Language Endangerment Status
Extinct (EX)
Endangered
Safe
Other categories
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UNESCO Atlas of the World's
Languages in Danger categories

An endangered language is a language that it is at risk of falling out of use, generally because it has few surviving speakers. If it loses all of its native speakers, it becomes an extinct language. UNESCO defines four levels of language endangerment between "safe" (not endangered) and "extinct": [1]

Contents

Languages

LanguageSpeakersStatusCommentsRef
Acatepec Mazatec language, Acatepec Mazatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Akatek language, Akatek [1]  Vulnerable  
Awakatek language, Awakatek [1]  Critically endangered  
Ayapanec language, Ayapanec [1]  Critically endangered  
Ayapenaco language, Ayapenaco [1]  Critically endangered  
Ayautla Mazatec language, Ayautla Mazatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Central Cuicatec language, Central Cuicatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Central Náhuatl language, Central Náhuatl [1]  Vulnerable  
Central Otomí language, Central Otomí [1]  Definitely endangered  
Central Pame language, Central Pame [1]  Vulnerable  
Central Popoloc language, Central Popoloc [1]  Severely endangered  
Central Tlapanec language, Central Tlapanec [1]  Vulnerable  
Central Zoque language, Central Zoque [1]  Definitely endangered  
Chatino of the western lowlands [1]  Definitely endangered  
Chatino of Zacatepec language, Chatino of Zacatepec [1]  Definitely endangered  
Chichimec language, Chichimec [1]  Vulnerable  
Chihuahua Lower Pima language, Chihuahua Lower Pima [1]  Definitely endangered  
Chilchotla Mazatec language, Chilchotla Mazatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Chiquihuitlán Mazatec language, Chiquihuitlán Mazatec [1]  Definitely endangered  
Chontal Tabasco language, Chontal Tabasco [1]  Severely endangered  
Chuj language, Chuj [1]  Critically endangered  
Cocopa language, Cocopa [1]  Definitely endangered  
Eastern Chocho language, Eastern Chocho [1]  Severely endangered  
Eastern Cuicatec language, Eastern Cuicatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Eastern Mazahua language, Eastern Mazahua [1]  Definitely endangered  
Eastern Popoloc language, Eastern Popoloc [1]  Vulnerable  
Eastern Tlapanec language, Eastern Tlapanec [1]  Vulnerable  
Eloxochitlán Mazatec language, Eloxochitlán Mazatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Filomeno Mata Totonac language, Filomeno Mata Totonac [1]  Vulnerable  
Higher Reservoir Mazatec language, Higher Reservoir Mazatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Highland Chontal language, Highland Chontal [1]  Severely endangered  
Highland Mazatec language, Highland Mazatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Huasteca Náhuatl language, Huasteca Náhuatl [1]  Vulnerable  
Huehuetla Tepehua language, Huehuetla Tepehua [1]  Definitely endangered  
Huehuetlán Mazatec language, Huehuetlán Mazatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Huichol language, Huichol [1]  Vulnerable  
Isthmus Náhuatl language, Isthmus Náhuatl [1]  Vulnerable  
Ixcatec language, Ixcatec [1]  Critically endangered  
Ixcatlán Mazatec language, Ixcatlán Mazatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Ixil language, Ixil [1]  Critically endangered  
Ixtenco Otomí language, Ixtenco Otomí [1]  Severely endangered  
Jakaltek language, Jakaltek [1]  Severely endangered  
Kʼicheʼ language, Kʼicheʼ [1]  Definitely endangered  
Kaqchikel language, Kaqchikel [1]  Critically endangered  
Kickapoo language, Kickapoo [1]  Critically endangered  
Kiliwa language, Kiliwa [1]  Critically endangered  
Lacandón language, Lacandón [1]  Critically endangered  
Lower Mixe language, Lower Mixe [1]  Vulnerable  
Lower Northwestern Otomí language, Lower Northwestern Otomí [1]  Vulnerable  
Lowland Chontal language, Lowland Chontal [1]  Critically endangered  
Lowland Mazatec language, Lowland Mazatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Malinaltepec Tlapanec language, Malinaltepec Tlapanec [1]  Vulnerable  
Mam language, Mam [1]  Severely endangered  
Matlatzinca language, Matlatzinca [1]  Definitely endangered  
Mayo language, Mayo [1]  Critically endangered  
Mazatlán Mazatec language, Mazatlán Mazatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Mezquital Otomí language, Mezquital Otomí [1]  Definitely endangered  
Misantla Totonac language, Misantla Totonac [1]  Critically endangered  
Mixtec of San Miguel Piedras language, Mixtec of San Miguel Piedras [1]  Severely endangered 
Mixtec of San Pedro Tidaá language, Mixtec of San Pedro Tidaá [1]  Severely endangered 
Mixtec of Santa Cruz Itundujia language, Mixtec of Santa Cruz Itundujia [1]  Definitely endangered 
Mixtec of Santa Inés de Zaragoza language, Mixtec of Santa Inés de Zaragoza [1]  Definitely endangered 
Mixtec of the central Ravine [1]  Definitely endangered 
Mixtec of the northeast lowlands [1]  Severely endangered 
Mixtec of the Puebla-Oaxaca border [1]
(several Mixtec languages go by this name; UNESCO intends Chazumba Mixtec)		 Definitely endangered 
Mixtec of the southwest of Puebla [1]  Definitely endangered 
Mixtec of Tlaltempan language, Mixtec of Tlaltempan [1]  Definitely endangered 
Mixtec of Villa de Tututepec language, Mixtec of Villa de Tututepec [1]  Definitely endangered 
Mixtec of Zapotitlán language, Mixtec of Zapotitlán [1]  Severely endangered 
Motocintlec language, Motocintlec [1]  Critically endangered  
Mountain Guarijío language, Mountain Guarijío [1]  Vulnerable  
Northern Cuicatec language, Northern Cuicatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Northern Pame language, Northern Pame [1]  Definitely endangered  
Northern Popoloc language, Northern Popoloc [1]  Vulnerable  
Northern Tepehuán language, Northern Tepehuán [1]  Definitely endangered  
Northern Tlapanec language, Northern Tlapanec [1]  Vulnerable  
Northern Totonac language, Northern Totonac [1]  Critically endangered  
Northwestern Otomí language, Northwestern Otomí [1]  Vulnerable  
Northwestern Tarahumara language, Northwestern Tarahumara [1]  Vulnerable  
Northwestern Tlapanec language, Northwestern Tlapanec [1]  Vulnerable  
Oʼodham language, Oʼodham [1]  Definitely endangered  
Ocopetatillo Mazatec language, Ocopetatillo Mazatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Ocoyoacac Otomí language, Ocoyoacac Otomí [1]  Severely endangered  
Olultecan language, Olultecan [typo] [1]  Severely endangered  
Ozumatlán Totonac language, Ozomatlán Totonac [1]  Critically endangered  
Paipai language, Paipai [1]  Severely endangered  
Papantla Totonac language, Papantla Totonac [1]  Definitely endangered  
Patla-Chicontla Totonac language, Patla-Chicontla Totonac [1]  Severely endangered  
Purépecha language, Purépecha [1]  Vulnerable  
Pisaflores Tepehua language, Pisaflores Tepehua [1]  Vulnerable  
Puebla Mazatec language, Puebla Mazatec [1]  Vulnerable  
River Guarijío language, River Guarijío [1]  Vulnerable  
San Dionisio del Mar Huave language, San Dionisio del Mar Huave [1]  Definitely endangered  
San Francisco del Mar Huave language, San Francisco del Mar Huave [1]  Critically endangered  
San Mateo del Mar Huave language, San Mateo del Mar Huave [1]  Vulnerable  
Santa María del Mar Huave language, Santa María del Mar Huave [1]  Severely endangered  
Sayultec language, Sayultec [1]  Definitely endangered  
Seri language, Seri [1]  Vulnerable  
Sierra de Puebla Nahuatl language, Sierra de Puebla Náhuatl [1]  Definitely endangered  
Sierra Otomí language, Sierra Otomí [1]  Vulnerable  
Sierra Popoluca language, Sierra Popoluca [1]  Vulnerable  
Sierra Totonac language, Sierra Totonac [1]  Severely endangered  
Sonora Lower Pima language, Sonora Lower Pima [1]  Severely endangered  
Southeastern Tarahumara language, Southeastern Tarahumara [1]  Vulnerable  
Southern Chocho language, Southern Chocho [1]  Severely endangered  
Southern Tlapanec language, Southern Tlapanec [1]  Severely endangered  
Southern Zoque language, Southern Zoque [1]  Definitely endangered  
Southwestern Tepehuan language, Southwestern Tepehuan [1]  Vulnerable  
Southwestern Tlapanec language, Southwestern Tlapanec [1]  Vulnerable  
Soyaltepec Mazatec language, Soyaltepec Mazatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Tabasco Náhuatl language, Tabasco Náhuatl [1]  Critically endangered  
Tecóatl Mazatec language, Tecóatl Mazatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Teko language, Teko [1]  Severely endangered  
Texistepecan language, Texistepecan [1]  Severely endangered  
Tilapa Otomí language, Tilapa Otomí [1]  Severely endangered  
Tipai language, Tipai [1]  Severely endangered  
Tlachichilco Tepehua language, Tlachichilco Tepehua [1]  Definitely endangered  
Tlahuica language, Tlahuica [1]  Severely endangered  
Tuzantec language, Tuzantec [1]  Critically endangered  
Valle Nacional Chinantec language, Valle Nacional Chinantec [1]  Definitely endangered  
Western Chocho language, Western Chocho [1]  Severely endangered  
Western Mazahua language, Western Mazahua [1]  Definitely endangered  
Western Mazatec language, Western Mazatec [1]  Vulnerable  
Western Náhuatl language, Western Náhuatl [1]  Severely endangered  
Western Otomí language, Western Otomí [1]  Severely endangered  
Western Popoloc language, Western Popoloc [1]  Severely endangered  
Western Tarahumara language, Western Tarahumara [1]  Vulnerable  
Western Tlapanec language, Western Tlapanec [1]  Vulnerable  
Western Zoque language, Western Zoque [1]  Vulnerable  
Yaqui language, Yaqui [1]  Vulnerable  
Zapotec of Asunción Tlacolulita language, Zapotec of Asunción Tlacolulita [1]  Critically endangered  
Zapotec of Mixtepe language, Zapotec of Mixtepe [1]  Critically endangered  
Zapotec of Petapa language, Zapotec of Petapa [1]  Definitely endangered  
Zapotec of San Antonino el Alto language, Zapotec of San Antonino el Alto [1]  Definitely endangered  
Zapotec of San Bartolo Yautepec language, Zapotec of San Bartolo Yautepec [1]  Severely endangered  
Zapotec of San Felipe Tejalapan language, Zapotec of San Felipe Tejalapan [1]  Critically endangered  
eastern lowlands Zapotec of the Southern mountains [1]  Definitely endangered  
northeast Zapotec of the Southern mountains [1]  Definitely endangered  
northwest lowlands Zapotec of the Southern mountains [1]  Definitely endangered  
north Zapotec of the Valleys [1]  Severely endangered  
central Zapotec of the Valleys [1]  Severely endangered  
middle northwest Zapotec of the Valleys [1]  Definitely endangered  
west Zapotec of the Valleys [1]  Definitely endangered  
Zapotec of Zimatlán de Álvarez language, Zapotec of Zimatlán de Álvarez [1]  Definitely endangered  

Number of speakers

Indigenous languages of Mexico in 2005
LanguageSpeakers
Nahuatl (Nahualt, Nahuat, Nahual, Melatahtol)1,376,026
Yucatec Maya (Maaya tʼaan)759,000
Mixtec (Tuʼun sávi)423,216
Zapotec (Diidxaza/Dizhsa)410,901
Tzeltal Maya (Kʼop o winik atel)371,730
Tzotzil Maya (Batsil kʼop)329,937
Otomí (Hñä hñü)239,850
Totonac (Tachihuiin)230,930
Mazatec (Ha shuta enima)206,559
Chʼol (Mayan) (Winik)185,299
Huastec (Téenek)149,532
Chinantec (Tsa jujmí)125,706
Mixe (Ayüük)115,824
Mazahua (Jñatho)111,840
Purépecha (Pʼurhépecha)105,556
Tlapanec (Meꞌphaa)98,573
Tarahumara (Rarámuri)75,371
Amuzgo (Tzañcue)43,761
Chatino (Chaʼcña)42,791
Tojolabʼal (Tojolwinik otik)43,169
Popoluca (Zoquean) (Tuncápxe)54,004
Chontal de Tabasco (Yokot tʼan)43,850
Huichol (Wixárika)35,724
Mayo (Yoreme)32,702
Tepehuán (Oʼdam)31,681
Trique (Tinujéi)24,491
Cora (Naáyarite)17,086
Popoloca (Oto-manguean) 18,926
Huave (Ikoods)15,993
Cuicatec (Nduudu yu)12,610
Yaqui (Yoem Noki or Hiak Nokpo)14,162
Qʼanjobʼal 10,833
Tepehua (Hamasipini)10,625
Pame (Xigüe)9,768
Mam (Qyool)8,739
Chontal de Oaxaca (Slijuala sihanuk)5,534
Chuj 2,143
Tacuate (Mixtec de Santa María Zacatepec) (Tuʼun Vaʼa)2,067
Chichimeca jonaz (Úza)1,987
Guarijío (Warihó)1,905
Chocho (Runixa ngiigua)1,078
Pima Bajo (Oob Noʼok)836
Qʼeqchiʼ 835
Lacandón (Hach tʼan)731
Jakaltek (Poptí) (Abxubal)584
Matlatzinca/Ocuilteco (Tlahuica)522
Seri (Cmiique iitom)518
Ixcatec 406
Kʼicheʼ 286
Kaqchikel 230
Paipai (Jaspuy pai)221
Cucapá (Kuapá)206
Mototzintleco (Qatok)186
Kumiai (Tiʼpai)185
Pápago (Oʼodham)153
Kikapú (Kikapoa)144
Ixil 108
Cochimí (Laymón, mtiʼpá)96
Kiliwa language (Koʼlew)55
Aguacatec 27
Ayapenaco2
Other languages 1337

1 Including: Òpata, Soltec, and Papabucan

Only includes population 5 and older. Source: INEGI (2005)

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endangered language</span> Language that is at risk of going extinct

An endangered language or moribund language is a language that is at risk of disappearing as its speakers die out or shift to speaking other languages. Language loss occurs when the language has no more native speakers and becomes a "dead language". If no one can speak the language at all, it becomes an "extinct language". A dead language may still be studied through recordings or writings, but it is still dead or extinct unless there are fluent speakers. Although languages have always become extinct throughout human history, they are currently dying at an accelerated rate because of globalization, mass migration, cultural replacement, imperialism, neocolonialism and linguicide.

Lists of endangered languages are mainly based on the definitions used by UNESCO. In order to be listed, a language must be classified as "endangered" in a cited academic source. Researchers have concluded that in less than one hundred years, almost half of the languages known today will be lost forever. The lists are organized by region.

Language revitalization, also referred to as language revival or reversing language shift, is an attempt to halt or reverse the decline of a language or to revive an extinct one. Those involved can include linguists, cultural or community groups, or governments. Some argue for a distinction between language revival and language revitalization. There has only been one successful instance of a complete language revival, the Hebrew language, creating a new generation of native speakers without any pre-existing native speakers as a model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Language death</span> Process in which a language eventually loses its last native speaker

In linguistics, language death occurs when a language loses its last native speaker. By extension, language extinction is when the language is no longer known, including by second-language speakers, when it becomes known as an extinct language. A related term is linguicide, the death of a language from natural or political causes, and, rarely, glottophagy, the absorption or replacement of a minor language by a major language.

<i>Atlas of the Worlds Languages in Danger</i> UNESCO publication of endangered languages

The UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger was an online publication containing a comprehensive list of the world's endangered languages. It originally replaced the Red Book of Endangered Languages as a title in print after a brief period of overlap before being transferred to an online only publication.

Gorum, or Parengi, is a nearly-extinct minor Munda language of India.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 Moseley, Christopher, ed. (2010). Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger. Memory of Peoples (3rd ed.). Paris: UNESCO Publishing. ISBN   978-92-3-104096-2 . Retrieved 2015-04-11.
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