List of endangered languages in Africa
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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]
- Vulnerable
- Definitely endangered
- Severely endangered
- Critically endangered
Africa is the world's second-largest and second most-populous continent. At about 30.2 million km² (11.7 million sq mi) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area.[2] With about 922 million people (as of 2005)[3] in 61 territories, it accounts for about 14.2% of the world's human population. The continent is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Suez Canal and the Red Sea to the northeast, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. There are 53 countries, including Madagascar and all the island groups.
Algeria
Main article: Languages of Algeria
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judezmo language | Severely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Morocco, Romania, Turkey, Serbia | lad |
| Korandje language | Severely endangered[1] | kcy | |
| Shenwa language | Vulnerable[1] | cnu | |
| Tagargrent language | Severely endangered[1] | oua | |
| Tamahaq language | Vulnerable[1] | thv | |
| Tamazight language | Critically endangered[1] | (Arzew) | rif |
| Tamzabit language | Vulnerable[1] | Ghardaïa | mzb |
| Tasnusit language | Severely endangered[1] | Amazigh of Aït Snouss, in Tlemcen | |
| Tayurayt language | Vulnerable[1] | ||
| Taznatit language | Severely endangered[1] | grr | |
| Tidikelt language | Critically endangered[1] | tia | |
| Tugurt language | Severely endangered[1] | tjo | |
| Zenatiya language | Critically endangered[1] |
Angola
Main article: Languages of Angola
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolo language | Definitely endangered[1] | blv |
Benin
Main article: Languages of Benin
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tchumbuli language | Critically endangered[1] | bga |
Botswana
Main article: Languages of Botswana
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danisi language | Critically endangered[1] | shg | |
| Kua language | Definitely endangered[1] | tyu | |
| Taa language | Definitely endangered[1] | nmn | |
| Ts'èxa language | Definitely endangered[1] | ||
| Yeyi language | Definitely endangered[1] | yey | |
| Gui language | Vulnerable[1] | gwj | |
| Xaise language | Critically endangered[1] | shg | |
| ǁAni language | Definitely endangered[1] | hnh | |
| ǁGana language | Vulnerable[1] | gnk | |
| ǂHoa language | Critically endangered[1] | huc |
Burkina Faso
Main article: Languages of Burkina Faso
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pana language | Definitely endangered[1] | png |
Cameroon
Main article: Languages of Cameroon
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akum language | Critically endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Nigeria | aku |
| Bakole language | Critically endangered[1] | kme | |
| Baldemu language | Critically endangered[1] | bdn | |
| Bati language | Severely endangered[1] | btc | |
| Beezen language | Severely endangered[1] | bnz | |
| Bikya language | Critically endangered[1] | byb | |
| Bishuo language | Critically endangered[1] | bwh | |
| Bubia language | Severely endangered[1] | bbx | |
| Bung language | Critically endangered[1] | bqd | |
| Busuu language | Critically endangered[1] | bju | |
| Cambap language | Critically endangered[1] | twn | |
| Dimbong language | Critically endangered[1] | dii | |
| Eman language | Severely endangered[1] | emn | |
| Gyele language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Equatorial Guinea | gyi |
| Hijuk language | Critically endangered[1] | hij | |
| Hya language | Severely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Nigeria | hya |
| Isu language | Severely endangered[1] | szv | |
| Iyive language | Severely endangered[1] | uiv | |
| Kendem language | Severely endangered[1] | kvm | |
| Kuk language | Definitely endangered[1] | kfm | |
| Kung language | Severely endangered[1] | kfl | |
| Langa language | Severely endangered[1] | ||
| Majera language | Critically endangered[1] | xmj | |
| Maslam language | Severely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Chad | msv |
| Mono language (Cameroon) | Critically endangered[1] | mnr | |
| Ndai language | Critically endangered[1] | gke | |
| Njerep language | Critically endangered[1] | ||
| Nubaca language | Severely endangered[1] | baf | |
| Somyev language | Critically endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Nigeria | kgt |
| Tuotomb language | Severely endangered[1] | ttf | |
| Yasa language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Equatorial Guinea | yko |
| Zumaya language | Critically endangered[1] | zuy |
Central African Republic
Main article: Languages of Central African Republic
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birri language | Critically endangered[1] | bvq | |
| Geme language | Critically endangered[1] | geq | |
| Ngombe language | Definitely endangered[1] | nmj | |
| Ukhwejo language | Severely endangered[1] | ukh | |
| Yulu language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan | yul |
Chad
Main article: Languages of Chad
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Besme language | Severely endangered[1] | bes | |
| Boor language | Critically endangered[1] | bvf | |
| Fania language | Severely endangered[1] | fni | |
| Fongoro language | Severely endangered[1] | fgr | |
| Gadang language | Definitely endangered[1] | gdk | |
| Goundo language | Critically endangered[1] | goy | |
| Jaya language | Severely endangered[1] | jyy | |
| Jonkor Bourmataguil language | Severely endangered[1] | jeu | |
| Karang language | Vulnerable[1] | kth | |
| Kendeje language | Definitely endangered[1] | klf | |
| Koke language | Severely endangered[1] | kou | |
| Kujarge language | Definitely endangered[1] | vkj | |
| Kulfa language | Definitely endangered[1] | kxj | |
| Laal language | Critically endangered[1] | gdm | |
| Mabiri language | Critically endangered[1] | muj | |
| Mambai language | Severely endangered[1] | mcs | |
| Maslam language | Severely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Cameroon | msv |
| Massalat language | Critically endangered[1] | mdg | |
| Mbara language | Severely endangered[1] | mpk | |
| Miltu language | Critically endangered[1] | mlj | |
| Noy language | Critically endangered[1] | noy | |
| Saba language | Definitely endangered[1] | saa | |
| Sarwa language | Definitely endangered[1] | swy | |
| Tamki language | Critically endangered[1] | tax | |
| Toram language | Severely endangered[1] | trj | |
| Ubi language | Severely endangered[1] | ubi | |
| Zirenkel language | Definitely endangered[1] | zrn |
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Main article: Languages of Democratic Republic of the Congo
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beeke language | Severely endangered[1] | bkf | |
| Boguru language | Critically endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Sudan | bqu |
| Kari language | Severely endangered[1] | kbj | |
| Ngbinda language | Critically endangered[1] | nbd | |
| Yulu language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Central African Republic, Sudan | yul |
Egypt
Main article: Languages of Egypt
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domari language | Severely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria | rmt |
| Siwi language | Definitely endangered[1] | siz |
Equatorial Guinea
Main article: Languages of Equatorial Guinea
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benga language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Gabon | bng |
| Gyele language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Cameroon | gyi |
| Yasa language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Cameroon | yko |
Eritrea
Main article: Languages of Eritrea
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dahaalik language | Critically endangered[1] |
Ethiopia
Main article: Languages of Ethiopia
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 'Ongota language | Critically endangered[1] | bxe | |
| Anfillo language | Critically endangered[1] | myo | |
| Arbore language | Definitely endangered[1] | arv | |
| Argobba language | Critically endangered[1] | agj | |
| Bambassi language | Definitely endangered[1] | myf | |
| Bayso language | Definitely endangered[1] | bsw | |
| Bussa language | Vulnerable[1] | dox | |
| Chara language | Vulnerable[1] | cra | |
| Dimme language | Vulnerable[1] | dim | |
| Gats'ama - Ganjule - Harro language | Definitely endangered[1] | kcx | |
| Hozo language | Definitely endangered[1] | hoz | |
| K'emant language | Severely endangered[1] | ahg | |
| Karo language | Critically endangered[1] | kxh | |
| Komo language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Sudan | xom |
| Kwama language | Vulnerable[1] | kmq | |
| Kwegu language | Critically endangered[1] | xwg | |
| Mursi language | Vulnerable[1] | muz | |
| Nayi language | Vulnerable[1] | noz | |
| Opuuo language | Critically endangered[1] | lgn | |
| Oyda language | Vulnerable[1] | oyd | |
| Shabo language | Severely endangered[1] | sbf | |
| Tsamay language | Definitely endangered[1] | tsb | |
| Yem language | Vulnerable[1] | jnj | |
| Zay language | Severely endangered[1] | zwa |
Gabon
Main article: Languages of Gabon
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benga language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Equatorial Guinea | bng |
| Bwisi language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Congo | bwz |
| Kaande language | Severely endangered[1] | kbs | |
| Mahongwe language | Severely endangered[1] | mhb | |
| Sake language | Severely endangered[1] | sak | |
| Sighu language | Severely endangered[1] | sxe | |
| Tchitchege language | Definitely endangered[1] | tck | |
| Vumbu language | Definitely endangered[1] | vum |
Ghana
Main article: Languages of Ghana
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animere language | Critically endangered[1] | anf | |
| Kamara language | Definitely endangered[1] | jmr | |
| Konni language | Vulnerable[1] | kma | |
| Tafi language | Vulnerable[1] | tcd | |
| Tuwuli language | Vulnerable[1] | bov |
Guinea
Main article: Languages of Guinea
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badiaranke language | Severely endangered[1] | pbp | |
| Baga Manduri language | Definitely endangered[1] | bmb | |
| Baga Mboteni language | Critically endangered[1] | bgm | |
| Baga Sitemu language | Severely endangered[1] | bsp | |
| Baga Pokur language | Definitely endangered[1] | bcg | |
| Mani language | Critically endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Sierra Leone | buy |
| Nalu language | Definitely endangered[1] | naj |
Guinea-Bissau
Main article: Languages of Guinea-Bissau
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cobiana language | Critically endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Senegal | kcj |
| Ediamat language | Vulnerable[1] | eja | |
| Kasanga language | Critically endangered[1] | ccj |
Kenya
Main article: Languages of Kenya
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bong'om language | Definitely endangered[1] | spy | |
| Boni language | Definitely endangered[1] | bob | |
| Burji language | Vulnerable[1] | bji | |
| Dahalo language | Severely endangered[1] | dal | |
| Omotik language | Critically endangered[1] | omt | |
| Ongamo language | Critically endangered[1] | nsg | |
| Suba language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Tanzania | sxb, ssc |
Lesotho
Main article: Languages of Lesotho
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phuthi language | Definitely endangered[1] | ssw |
Libya
Main article: Languages of Libya
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awjila language | Severely endangered[1] | auj | |
| Domari language | Severely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria | rmt |
| Ghadames language | Vulnerable[1] | gha | |
| Nafusi language | Severely endangered[1] | jbn | |
| Sawkna language | Critically endangered[1] | swn | |
| Tamahaq language | Definitely endangered[1] | thv |
Mali
Main article: Languages of Mali
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banka language | Definitely endangered[1] | bxw | |
| Tamaceq language | Definitely endangered[1] | taq |
Mauritania
Main article: Languages of Mauritania
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imeraguen language | Definitely endangered[1] | ime | |
| Nemadi language | Critically endangered[1] | ||
| Zenaga language | Severely endangered[1] | zen |
Morocco
Main article: Languages of Morocco
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Figuig language | Vulnerable[1] | ||
| Ghomara language | Critically endangered[1] | gho | |
| Judezmo language | Severely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Turkey, Serbia | lad |
| Moroccan Judeo-Arabic language | Severely endangered[1] | aju | |
| Sanhaja of Srair language | Critically endangered[1] | sjs | |
| Tamazight language | Definitely endangered[1] | (Beni Iznassen) | rif |
Namibia
Main article: Languages of Namibia
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khwe language | Definitely endangered[1] | xuu |
Niger
Main article: Languages of Niger
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamajeq language | Vulnerable[1] | thz | |
| Tetserret language | Severely endangered[1] |
Nigeria
Main article: Languages of Nigeria
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akum language | Critically endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Cameroon | aku |
| Bade language | Vulnerable[1] | bde | |
| Bakpinka language | Critically endangered[1] | bbs | |
| Defaka language | Critically endangered[1] | afn | |
| Duguza language | Definitely endangered[1] | dza | |
| Dulbu language | Critically endangered[1] | dbo | |
| Fyem language | Severely endangered[1] | pym | |
| Geji cluster | Severely endangered[1] | gji | |
| Gera language | Vulnerable[1] | gew | |
| Gura language | Severely endangered[1] | gvm | |
| Gurdu-Mbaaru language | Severely endangered[1] | grd | |
| Gyem language | Critically endangered[1] | gye | |
| Hya language | Severely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Cameroon | hya |
| Ilue language | Critically endangered[1] | ilv | |
| Jilbe language | Critically endangered[1] | jie | |
| Kiong language | Critically endangered[1] | kkm | |
| Kona language | Severely endangered[1] | juo | |
| Kudu-Camo language | Critically endangered[1] | kov | |
| Luri language | Critically endangered[1] | ldd | |
| Mvanip language | Critically endangered[1] | mcj | |
| Ndunda language | Severely endangered[1] | nuh | |
| Ngwaba language | Severely endangered[1] | ngw | |
| Polci cluster | Definitely endangered[1] | plj | |
| Reshe language | Vulnerable[1] | res | |
| Sambe language | Critically endangered[1] | ||
| Somyev language | Critically endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Cameroon | kgt |
| Yangkam language | Critically endangered[1] | bsx |
Senegal
Main article: Languages of Senegal
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bainouk-Gunyaamolo language | Vulnerable[1] | bcz | |
| Bainouk-Samik language | Severely endangered[1] | bcb | |
| Bandial language | Vulnerable[1] | bqj | |
| Bassari language | Vulnerable[1] | bsc | |
| Bayot language | Vulnerable[1] | bda | |
| Cobiana language | Critically endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Guinea-Bissau | kcj |
| Gusilay language | Vulnerable[1] | gsl | |
| Jola-Kassa language | Vulnerable[1] | csk | |
| Karone language | Vulnerable[1] | krx | |
| Kwatay language | Severely endangered[1] | cwt | |
| Mancagne language | Vulnerable[1] | knf | |
| Menik language | Definitely endangered[1] | tnr | |
| Mlomp language | Critically endangered[1] | mlo | |
| Noon language | Vulnerable[1] | snf | |
| Paloor language | Vulnerable[1] | fap |
Sierra Leone
Main article: Languages of Sierra Leone
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bom language | Severely endangered[1] | bmf | |
| Kim language | Critically endangered[1] | krm | |
| Mani language | Critically endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Guinea | buy |
South Africa
Main article: Languages of South Africa
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Korana language | Critically endangered[1] | kqz | |
| Nǀuu language | Critically endangered[1] | ngh | |
| Xiri language | Critically endangered[1] | xii |
Sudan
Main articles: Languages of Sudan and List of endangered languages in Sudan
Tanzania
Main article: Languages of Tanzania
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akie language | Critically endangered[1] | oki | |
| Burunge language | Vulnerable[1] | bds | |
| Dhaiso language | Definitely endangered[1] | dhs | |
| Gweno language | Critically endangered[1] | gwe | |
| Hadza language | Vulnerable[1] | hts | |
| Kami language | Severely endangered[1] | kcu | |
| Segeju language | Severely endangered[1] | seg | |
| Suba language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Kenya | sxb, ssc |
| Vidunda language | Vulnerable[1] | vid | |
| Zaramo language | Definitely endangered[1] | zaj |
Tunisia
Main article: Languages of Tunisia
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamazight language | Severely endangered[1] | ||
| Judeo-Tunisian Arabic language | Critically endangered[1] | ajt |
Uganda
Main article: Languages of Uganda
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amba language | Vulnerable[1] | rwm | |
| Ik language | Severely endangered[1] | ikx | |
| Soo language | Critically endangered[1] | teu |
Western Sahara
Main article: Languages of Western Sahara
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zenaga language | Critically endangered[1] | zen |
See also
Notes
- 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 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 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.
- ↑ Sayre, April Pulley. (1999) Africa, Twenty-First Century Books. ISBN 0-7613-1367-2.
- ↑ "World Population Prospects: The 2006 Revision" United Nations (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, population division)
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