List of extinct languages of Central America and the Caribbean

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This is a list of extinct languages of Central America and the Caribbean, languages which have undergone language death, have no native speakers, and no spoken descendants.

Contents

There are 28 languages listed, 20 lost in Central America and 8 lost in the Caribbean.

Central America

Language nameLanguage familyExtinction dateLocationsReferences
Alagüilac unclassified before 16th century Guatemala
Cacaopera Misumalpan 20th century El Salvador
Chicomuceltec Mayan 1970s or 1980s Guatemala, Mexico
Chiquimulilla Xincan 1996 Guatemala
Chʼoltiʼ Mayan late 18th century Guatemala, Belize
Corobicí Chibchan (date missing) Costa Rica
Cueva language unclassified 1535 Panama
Dorasque Chibchan (date missing) Panama
Huetar Chibchan 17th century Costa Rica
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
Voto Chibchan (date missing) Costa Rica
Western Jicaque Jicaquean late 19th centuery Honduras
Yupiltepeque Xincan 1920s Guatemala

Sign languages

Language nameExtinction dateReferences
Bribri Sign Language by 1991

The Caribbean

Language nameLanguage familyExtinction dateLocationsReferences
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
Shebayo Arawakan 19th century Trinidad
Taino Arawakan 19th centuryWidespread throughout Caribbean
Yaio Cariban 17th century Trinidad, French Guiana