List of endangered languages in the United States

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Language Endangerment Status
Extinct (EX)
Endangered
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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]

LanguageSpeakersStatusComments
Achumawi language [1] 8Critically endangered 
Acoma-Laguna language [1] 10,670 (2007)Definitely endangered Keresan languages
Ahtna language [1] 80Critically endangered 
Alabama language [1] 370Definitely endangered 
Aleut language (Eastern) [1] 150 (2011)Critically endangeredNumber of speakers includes both Eastern and Western dialects.
Aleut language (Western) [1] 150 (2011)Severely endangeredNumber of speakers includes both Eastern and Western dialects.
Arapaho language (Wyoming) [1] 1,000Vulnerable 
Arikara language [1] 3Critically endangered 
Assiniboine language (United States) [1] 250Critically endangered 
Blackfoot language (United States) [1] 5,100Vulnerable 
Caddo language [1] [2] 2Critically endangered 
Cahuilla language [1] 15Critically endangered 
Central Alaskan Yup'ik language [1] 18,950VulnerableTwo varieties, one on Nunivak Island.
Central Pomo language [1] 8Critically endangered 
Central Siberian Yupik language (St. Lawrence Island) [1] 1,010Vulnerable 
Central Sierra Miwok language [1] 12 (1994)Critically endangered 
Chemehuevi language [1] 500-800, 20 first-language speakers (2011) [3] Critically endangered 
Cherokee language (North Carolina) [1] 1,000Vulnerable 
Cherokee language (Oklahoma) [1] 22,000Vulnerable 
Cheyenne language (Montana) [1] 1,900 (2015)Vulnerable Number of speakers includes both Montana and Oklahoma dialects.
Cheyenne language (Oklahoma) [1] 1,900 (2015)VulnerableNumber of speakers includes both Montana and Oklahoma dialects.
Chickasaw language [1] 75 native speakers (2017)Severely endangered 
Chinook Jargon language [1] 640 (2019)Critically endangered 
Choctaw language (Louisiana) [1] 9,600 native speakers (2015)VulnerableNumber of speakers includes all Choctaw dialects.
Choctaw language (Mississippi) [1] 9,600 native speakers (2015)VulnerableNumber of speakers includes all Choctaw dialects.
Choctaw language (Oklahoma) [1] 9,600 native speakers (2015)VulnerableNumber of speakers includes all Choctaw dialects.
Cocopa language (Arizona) [1] 370 in USA (2015), 145 in MexicoSeverely endangered 
Coeur d'Alene language [1] 4 (2007)Critically endangered 
Comanche language [1] 100 (2007)Severely endangered 
Creek language [1] 4,500 native speakers (2015)VulnerableAlso called the Muscogee language.
Crow language [1] 3,500 native speakers (2007)Vulnerable 
Gros Ventre language [1] 45 (2013)Critically endangeredThe last fluent speaker died in 2007.
Gwich'in language (United States) [1] 560 (2013)Severely endangered 
Halkomelem language [1] 260 in Canada (2014), 25 in USA (1997)Severely endangeredPrimarily in Canada
Hän language (United States) [1] 20 (2007)Critically endangered 
Havasupai language [1] 145 (2015)Definitely endangered 
Hawaiian language [1] 24,000 native speakers (2008)Vulnerable 
Hawai'i Sign Language 30 (2013)Critically endangeredThe few elderly signers are bilingual with the dominant ASL
Hidatsa language [1] 200 native speakers (2007)Vulnerable 
Holikachuk language [1] 5 speakers with some knowledge (2007)Critically endangeredThe last fluent speaker died in 2012
Hopi language [1] 6,780 native speakers (2010)Vulnerable 
Hualapai language [1] 300 (2015)Vulnerable 
Hupa language [1] 1 native speakers, 30 L2 users (2017)Critically endangered 
Ingalik language [1] 40 native speakers (2015)Critically endangeredAlso called The Deg Xinag language
Ipai language [1] 6 native speakers (2007)Critically endangered 
Isleño Spanish [1] 50 native speakers (2020)Critically endangered 
Jemez language [1] 3,000 (2007)Vulnerable 
Jicarilla Apache language [1] 510 native speakers (2015)Severely endangered 
Kalispel-Pend d'Oreille [1] 70 native speakers (2013)Critically endangeredMontana Salish language.
Karuk language [1] 12 native speakers, 30 L2 (2007)Severely endangered 
Kashaya language [1] 24 native speakers (2007)Critically endangered 
Kawaiisu language [1] 5 native speakers (2005)Critically endangered 
Kickapoo language (Kansas) [1] 1,141 native speakers in USA (2013)VulnerableThere are 420 speakers in Mexico but the number is mixed with Sauk and Fox (2010).
Kickapoo language (Oklahoma) [1] 1,141 native speakers in USA (2013)VulnerableThere are 420 speakers in Mexico but the number is mixed with Sauk and Fox (2010).
Kickapoo language (Texas) [1] 1,141 native speakers in USA (2013)VulnerableThere are 420 speakers in Mexico but the number is mixed with Sauk and Fox (2010).
Kiksht language [1]  Critically endangered 
Kings River Yokuts [1] 0Extinct [4]  
Kiowa language [1] 100, all levels; [5] 20 first-language speakers [6] Severely endangered 
Kiowa Apache language [1] 0 [7] ExtinctExtinct, current attempt at revival.
Klallam language [1] 0 [8] Extinct Extinct, current attempt at revival.
Koasati language (Louisiana) [1] 350 [9] Definitely endangered 
Koasati language (Texas) [1] 50 [9] Definitely endangered 
Konkow language [1] 32 [10] Critically endangered 
Koyukon language [1] 65 [11] Critically endangered 
Kutenai language [1] 345 (2010-2016) [12] [13] Severely endangeredPrimarily in Canada
Kwak'wala language [1] 450 (2016) [14] Critically endangeredPrimarily in Canada
Lake Miwok language [1]  Critically endangered 
Louisiana Creole language [1] 9,600 native speakers (2010)Severely endangered 
Louisiana French language [1] 150,000 to 200,000 native speakers (2012) 
Luiseño language [1]  Critically endangered 
Lushootseed language [1]  Critically endangered 
Maidu language [1]  Critically endangered 
Makah language [1]  Critically endangered 
Malecite-Passamaquoddy language [1]  Definitely endangeredPrimarily in Canada
Maliseet-Passamaquoddy language [1]  Severely endangered 
Mandan language [1] 0ExtinctExtinct, current attempt at revival.
Maricopa language [1]  Severely endangered 
Massachusett language [1] 5 child speakers; 400 adult learnersVulnerableCurrent attempts at revival; Bible translated into the language in 1663
Menominee language [1]  Critically endangered 
Mescalero-Chiricahua Apache language (New Mexico) [1]  Definitely endangered 
Mescalero-Chiricahua Apache language (Oklahoma) [1]  Critically endangered 
Micmac language (Massachusetts) [1]  Vulnerable 
Mikasuki language [1]  Vulnerable 
Mohave language (Arizona) [1]  Severely endangered 
Mohave language (California) [1]  Severely endangered 
Mohawk language (Akwesasne, St. Regis) [1]  Vulnerable 
Mohawk language (Ganienkeh) [1]  Vulnerable 
Mohawk language (Kanatsiohareke) [1]  Vulnerable 
Mono language (Eastern) [1]  Critically endangered 
Mono language (Western) [1]  Critically endangered 
Montana Salish language [1]  Critically endangered 
Munsee language (United States) [1]  Critically endangered 
Navajo language [1]  Vulnerable
Nez Perce language [1]  Critically endangered 
Inupiat language () [1]  Severely endangeredNorth Alaskan: Kotzebue Sound & North Slope
Northern Haida language [1]  Critically endangeredPrimarily in Canada
Northern Paiute language (Idaho) [1]  Critically endangered 
Northern Paiute language (Nevada) [1]  Definitely endangered 
Northern Paiute language (Oregon) [1]  Critically endangered 
Northern Pomo language [1]  Critically endangered 
Northern Sierra Miwok language [1]  Critically endangered 
Northern Straits Salish language [1]  Critically endangered 
O'odham language (Akimel) [1]  Vulnerable 
O'odham language (Tohono) [1]  Vulnerable 
Ojibwe language [1]  Vulnerable 
Okanagan language [1]  Definitely endangeredPrimarily in Canada
Omaha-Ponca language [1]  Critically endangered 
Oneida language (New York) [1]  Critically endangeredAlso in Canada
Oneida language (Wisconsin) [1]  Critically endangered 
Onondaga language (New York) [1]  Critically endangeredAlso in Canada
Osage language [1]  Vulnerable 
Ottawa language (Michigan) [1]  Critically endangeredAlso in Canada
Pacific Gulf Yupik language [1]  Severely endangered 
Panamint language [1]  Critically endangered 
Patwin language [1]  Critically endangered 
Pawnee language [1]  Critically endangered 
Picuris language [1]  Vulnerable 
Plains Sign Talk  Critically endangered 
Potawatomi language (Kansas) [1]  Critically endangered 
Potawatomi language (Michigan) [1]  Critically endangered 
Potawatomi language (Oklahoma) [1]  Critically endangered 
Potawatomi language (Wisconsin) [1]  Critically endangered 
Quechan language [1]  Definitely endangered 
Rio Grande Keresan language [1]  Definitely endangered Keresan languages
Sahaptin language [1]  Severely endangered 
Sauk-Fox language [1]  Critically endangered 
Seneca language (United States) [1]  Severely endangered 
Seward Peninsula Inupiaq language (King Island) [1]  Critically endangered Inupiat language
Seward Peninsula Inupiaq language (Little Diomede Island) [1]  Critically endangered Inupiat language
Seward Peninsula Inupiaq language (Norton Sound) [1]  Critically endangered Inupiat language
Shawnee language [1]  Vulnerable 
Shoshoni language (Idaho) [1]  Vulnerable 
Shoshoni language (Nevada) [1]  Vulnerable 
Shoshoni language (Wyoming) [1]  Vulnerable 
Sioux language [1]  Vulnerable Dakota (Santee-Sisseton), Nakota (Yankton-Yanktonai), and Lakota
Southern Paiute language [1]  Severely endangered 
Southern Pomo language [1]  Critically endangered 
Southern Sierra Miwok language [1]  Critically endangered 
Southern Tiwa language (Isleta Pueblo) [1]  Definitely endangered 
Southern Tiwa language (Sandia Pueblo) [1]  Definitely endangered 
Spokane language [1]  Critically endangered Interior Salish languages, Montana Salish language
Straits Salish language [1]  Severely endangeredPrimarily in Canada
Tanacross language [1]  Critically endangered 
Tanaina language [1]  Severely endangered 
Tanana language [1]  Critically endangered 
Taos language [1]  Definitely endangered 
Texas German [1] 6,000Critically endangered 
Tewa language (Arizona) [1]  Definitely endangered 
Tewa language (New Mexico) [1]  Severely endangered 
Tipai language (United States) [1]  Severely endangered 
Tlingit language (United States) [1]  Critically endangered 
Tolowa language [1]  Critically endangered 
Tubatulabal language [1]  Critically endangered 
Tule-Kaweah Yokuts [1]  Critically endangered 
Tuscarora language (United States) [1]  Critically endangered 
Upland Yuman language [1]  Vulnerable 
Upper Kuskokwim language [1]  Critically endangered 
Upper Tanana language (United States) [1]  Critically endangered 
Ute language (Colorado, Southern Ute) [1]  Vulnerable 
Ute language (Colorado, Ute Mountain) [1]  Vulnerable 
Ute language (Utah) [1]  Vulnerable 
Valley Yokuts [1]  Severely endangered 
Washo language [1]  Severely endangered 
Western Apache language [1]  Vulnerable 
Winnebago language (Nebraska) [1]  Severely endangered 
Winnebago language (Wisconsin) [1]  Severely endangered 
Wintu-Nomlaki language, Wintu language [1]  Critically endangered Wintuan languages
Yaqui language (United States) [1]  Definitely endangered 
Yavapai language [1]  Severely endangered 
Yuchi language [1]  Critically endangered 
Yurok language [1]  Critically endangered 
Zuni language [1]  Vulnerable 

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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 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 Moseley, Christopher, ed. (2010). Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger (PDF). Memory of Peoples (3rd ed.). Paris: UNESCO Publishing. ISBN   978-92-3-104096-2. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 2015-04-11.
  2. ↑ "Only 2 people alive can speak the Caddo language fluently. They hope a new program can save it". KERA News. 2023-03-15. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  3. ↑ Golla, Victor (2011). California Indian languages. Berkeley: University of California Press.
  4. ↑ "Hank Oliver, Choinumni Tribe Patriarch, dies at 91". ABC News. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  5. ↑ Cruz, Hannah. "Modina Waters using children's story book to keep Kiowa language alive". The Norman Transcript. Archived from the original on 2013-06-30. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  6. ↑ Neely, Amber. "UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA" (PDF). SPEAKING KIOWA TODAY:CONTINUITY AND CHANGE THROUGH THE GENERATIONS. UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  7. ↑ Sam Noble Museum. "Alonzo Chalepah Plains Apache Collection". Sam Noble Museum. Sam Noble Museum. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  8. ↑ Kaminsky, Jonathan (7 February 2014). "Last native speaker of Klallam language dies in Washington state". Reuters. Reuters. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  9. 1 2 Kimball, Geoffrey (1991). Koasati Grammar. Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press.
  10. ↑ "Detailed Languages Spoken at Home and Ability to Speak English". www.census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved 2017-11-17.
  11. ↑ "Koyukon". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2018-03-29.
  12. ↑ "Kutenai". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
  13. ↑ Canada, Government of Canada, Statistics (2 August 2017). "Language Highlight Tables, 2016 Census - Aboriginal mother tongue, Aboriginal language spoken most often at home and Other Aboriginal language(s) spoken regularly at home for the population excluding institutional residents of Canada, provinces and territories, 2016 Census – 100% Data". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2018-05-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ Canada, Government of Canada, Statistics (28 March 2018). "Aboriginal Mother Tongue (90)". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2018-05-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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