List of endangered languages in Africa
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 people, 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 16.1% 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 64 countries, including Madagascar and all the island groups.
Algeria
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judezmo language | Severely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, 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
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolo language | Definitely endangered[1] | blv |
Benin
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tchumbuli language | Critically endangered[1] | bga |
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
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pana language | Definitely endangered[1] | png |
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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dahaalik language | Critically endangered[1] |
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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phuthi language | Definitely endangered[1] | ssw |
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
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banka language | Definitely endangered[1] | bxw | |
| Tamaceq language | Definitely endangered[1] | taq |
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
| 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, 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
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khwe language | Definitely endangered[1] | xuu |
Niger
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamajeq language | Vulnerable[1] | thz | |
| Tetserret language | Severely endangered[1] |
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
| 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
| 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
| 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
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
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamazight language | Severely endangered[1] | ||
| Judeo-Tunisian Arabic language | Critically endangered[1] | ajt |
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
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zenaga language | Critically endangered[1] | zen |
Notes
- 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" Archived 2010-08-19 at the Wayback Machine United Nations (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, population division)
References
- Ladefoged, P. (1992). Another view of endangered languages. Language, 68(4), 809-811.
- Adegbija, E. (2001). Saving threatened languages in Africa: A case study of Oko. Multilingual Matters, 284-308.
- Fishman, J. A. (Ed.). (2001). Can threatened languages be saved?: Reversing language shift, revisited: A 21st century perspective (Vol. 116). Multilingual Matters.
- Mous, M. (2003). Loss of linguistic diversity in Africa. AMSTERDAM STUDIES IN THE THEORY AND HISTORY OF LINGUISTIC SCIENCE SERIES 4, 157-170.
- Omoniyi, T. (2003). Local policies and global forces: Multiliteracy and Africa's indigenous languages. Language policy, 2(2), 133.
- Blench, R. (2007). Endangered languages in West Africa. Language diversity endangered, 181, 140.
- Sands, B. (2009). Africa's linguistic diversity. Language and Linguistics Compass, 3(2), 559-580.
- Brenzinger, M. (Ed.). (2012). Language death: Factual and theoretical explorations with special reference to East Africa(Vol. 64). Walter de Gruyter.
- Wamalwa, E. W., & Stephen, O. (2013). Language endangerment and language maintenance: Can endangered indigenous languages of Kenya be electronically preserved?.
- Sands, B. (2017). The challenge of documenting Africa’s least known languages. Africa’s endangered languages: Documentary and theoretical approaches, 11-38.
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