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List of extinct languages of North America

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This is a list of extinct languages of North America, languages which have undergone language death, have no native speakers and no spoken descendant, most of them being languages of former Native American tribes.

There are 218 Indigenous, 2 Creole, 3 European, 5 Sign and 13 Pidgin languages listed. In total 241 languages.

Canada

[edit]

Indigenous languages

Language name Language family Extinction date Notes References
Beothuk unclassified 6 June 1829
Laurentian Iroquoian late 16th century
Neutral Huron Iroquoian 1671 [1]
Nicola Na-Dene early 20th century
Pentlatch Salishan 1940 Revival attempts underway [2]
Petun Iroquoian 17th century
Tagish Na-Dene 2008
Southern Tsimshian Tsimshianic 2013 Revival attempts underway [3]

European language dialects

Language or dialect name Dialect parent language Language family Extinction date Notes References
Newfoundland Irish Irish Indo-European 20th century

Pidgin languages

Language name Pidgin parent language(s) Extinction date Notes References
Algonquian–Basque pidgin Basque, Algonquian approx. 1711
Haida Jargon Haida 1830s
Inuktitut-English Pidgin Inuktitut, English 1960s
Labrador Inuit Pidgin French French, Inuktitut 18th century
Nootka Jargon Nuu-chah-nulth (date missing)
Slavey Jargon Slavey, French 19th century

Caribbean

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Indigenous languages

Language name Language family Extinction date Locations References
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
Shebaya Arawakan 19th century Trinidad
Taino Arawakan 19th century Widespread throughout Caribbean
Yaio Cariban 17th century Trinidad, French Guiana

Central America

[edit]

Indigenous languages

Language name Language family Extinction date Locations References
Alagüilac unclassified before 16th century Guatemala
Cacaopera Misumalpan 20th century El Salvador
Chiquimulilla Xincan 1996 Guatemala
Chʼoltiʼ Mayan late 18th century Guatemala, Belize
Corobicí Chibchan (date missing) Costa Rica
Cueva unclassified (Choco?) by 1535 Panama [4]
Dorasque Chibchan (date missing) Panama
Huetar Chibchan 17th century Costa Rica
Guazacapán Xincan 1997 Guatemala
Jumaytepeque Xincan 1997 Guatemala
Honduran Lenca Lencan 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

[edit]
Language name Extinction date References
Bribri Sign Language by 1991

Greenland

[edit]

European language dialects

Language name Language family Extinction date Notes References
Greenlandic Norse North Germanic late 15th or early 16th century

Pidgin languages

Language name Pidgin parent language(s) Extinction date Notes References
West Greenlandic Pidgin Greenlandic 19th century

Mexico

[edit]

Indigenous languages

Language or dialect name Dialect parent language Language family Extinction date Notes References
Acaxee Uto-Aztecan 17-18th century
Cazcan/Caxcan/Kaskán Uto-Aztecan 16th or 17th century
Chiapanec Oto-Manguean 20th century
Chicomuceltec Mayan 1970s or 1980s
Cochimí Yuman–Cochimí early 20th century
Comecrudo Comecrudan 19th century
Cuitlatec/Cuitlateco Language isolate 1960s
Classical Náhuatl Nahuatl Uto-Aztecan late 16th century used as the lingua franca of the Aztec Empire until its collapse
Eudeve Uto-Aztecan 1930s
Mamulique Comecrudan 19th century
Maratino unclassified (date missing)
Monqui unclassified before 1800
Naolan unclassified 1950s
Otomi (Jalisco) unclassified (date missing)
Quinigua unclassified (date missing)
Southern Pame Pame Oto-Manguean mid 20th century
Pericú unclassified before 1800
Pochutec Uto-Aztecan 20th century
Solteco Zapotec Zapotec Oto-Manguean 19th century
Tapachultec Mixe–Zoque 1930s
Teojomulco Chatino Chatino Oto-Manguean early 20th century
Tepecano Uto-Aztecan 20th century
Tequistlatec Tequistlatecan (date missing)
Tubar Uto-Aztecan 20th century
Waikuri unclassified before 1800
Xixime Uto-Aztecan 17-18th century
Zapotec (Jalisco) unclassified (date missing)

United States

[edit]

Indigenous languages

[edit]
Language or dialect name Language family Extinction date Notes References
Achumawi Palaihnihan 2013 Revival attempts underway
Adai unclassified 19th century
Ais unclassified 18th century
Carolina Algonquian/Pamlico/Croatoan Algic 1790s
Alsea/Yaquina Language isolate 1942 Alsea and Yaquina are thought to be either two related languages or two dialects of the same language
Apalachee Muskogean 18th century Revival attempts underway
Aranama unclassified 19th century
Atakapa Language isolate 20th century
Atsina/Gros Ventre Algic 2007 Revival attempts underway
Atsugewi Palaihnihan 1988
Awaswas Utian 19th century formerly known as "Santa Cruz"
Barbareño/Ineseño Chumashan 1965 Revival attempts underway. Barbareño and Ineseño may be related dialects of the same language or closely related languages
Bidai unclassified 19th century
Biloxi Siouan 1930s
Caddo/Hasí꞉nay Caddoan 14 July 2025 Revival attempts underway [5]
Cahto/Kato Na-Dene 1960s
Cahuilla Uto-Aztecan by 2024 Revival attempts underway
Calusa unclassified 19th century
Catawba Siouan 1959 Revival attempts underway
Cayuse Language isolate 1930s
Chalon Utian 19th century
Upper Chehalis Salishan 2001 Revival attempts underway
Lower Chehalis Salishan 1990s
Chemakum/Chimakum/Chimacum Chimakuan 19th century
Chico/Valley Maidu Maiduan 21st century
Chimariko Language isolate 1950s
Chitimacha/Sitimaxa Language isolate 1940 Revival attempts underway
Chiwere/Iowa-Otoe-Missouria/Báxoje-Jíwere-Ñút'achi Siouan 1996 Revival attempts underway
Chochenyo Utian 1934 Revival attempts underway
Coahuilteco Language isolate 18th century
Columbia-Moses Salishan 2 May 2023 Revival attempts underway [6]
Cowlitz Salishan 20th century Revival attempts underway
Cruzeño/Isleño/Island Chumash Chumashan 1915
Cupeño Uto-Aztecan 1987
Esselen Language isolate 19th century
Erie Iroquoian 17th century
Etchemin Algic 17th century
Eyak Na-Dene 2008 Revival attempts underway
Galice/Galice-Applegate/Upper Rogue River Na-Dene 1963
Halchidhoma/Xalychidom Yuman–Cochimí (date missing)
Hanis/Coos Coosan 1972
Holikachuk Na-Dene 2012
Houma Muskogean after 1907 Revival attempts underway
Central Kalapuya Kalapuyan 1954
Kansa Siouan 1982
Karankawa unclassified 1858
Karkin Utian 1950s
Kathlamet Chinookan 1930s
Kiksht/Upper Chinook/Columbia Chinook/Wasco-Wishram Chinookan 2012
Kitanemuk Uto-Aztecan 1940s
Kitsai Caddoan 1940
Klallam/Clallam/Ns'Klallam/S'klallam Salishan 2014 Revival attempts underway
Klamath/Klamath–Modoc/Lutuamian Plateau Penutian 2003 Revival attempts underway
Konomihu Shastan 1940s
Kwalhioqua-Clatskanie Na-Dene 20th century
Loup Algic 18th century
Lower Chinook Chinookan 1930s
Luiseño Uto-Aztecan 2010s
Lushootseed Salishan 2008 Revival attempts underway
Maidu Maiduan 2007 Revival attempts underway
Makah Wakashan 2002 Revival attempts underway
Mandan Siouan 2016 Revival attempts underway
Massachusett/Natick/Wôpanâak/Pokanoket/Nonantum/Indian Algic 19th century Revival attempts underway. As of 2014, 5 children are native speakers, 15 are proficient second-language speakers and 500 are adult second-language learners.[7][8]
Mattole/Mattole-Bear River Na-Dene 1930s
Meherrin Iroquoian 18th century
Miami-Illinois Algic 20th century Revival attempts underway
Miluk/ Lower Coquille Coosan 1939
Mitchigamea Siouan 18th century
Bay Miwok Utian (date missing)
Coast Miwok Utian 1970
Lake Miwok Utian 1990s
Northern Sierra Miwok Utian 1990s
Plains Miwok Utian 1990s
Mohican/Mahican Algic 1940s Revival attempts underway
Mohegan-Pequot/Mohegan-Pequot-Montauk/Secatogue/Shinnecock-Poosepatuck Algic 1908 Revival attempts underway
Molala Plateau Penutian 1958
Moneton Siouan late 17th century
Mutsun Utian 1930 Revival attempts underway
Nanticoke/Piscataway Algic 1840s Revival attempts underway. Nanticoke and Piscataway may be related dialects of the same language or closely related languages
Nansemond unclassified before 20th century May have been Algic
Narragansett Algic 18th-19th century
Natchez Language isolate 1957 Revival attempts underway
Nawathinehena Algic 19th century
Nicoleño Uto-Aztecan 1853
Nisenan Maiduan 2000s Revival attempts underway
Nooksack Salishan 1988 Revival attempts underway
Nomlaki Wintuan 20th century
Northern Kalapuyan Kalapuyan 1937
Nottoway/Cheroenhaka Iroquoian 1838 Revival attempts underway
Obispeño Chumashan 1917
Ofo Siouan 20th century
Okwanuchu Shastan 20th century
Osage Siouan 3 November 2005 As of 2009, 15-20 2L speakers and ongoing revival [9][10]
Pamunkey unclassified before 20th century May have been Algic
Piro Pueblo Tanoan 1900
Plains Apache Na-Dene 2008
Lipan Apache Na-Dene early 21st century Presumely
Central Pomo Pomoan before 2000
Eastern Pomo/Clear Lake Pomo Pomoan 2007 Revival attempts underway
Northern Pomo Pomoan 2005 Revival attempts underway
Northeastern Pomo Pomoan 1961
Southern Pomo Pomoan 2014 Revival attempts underway
Powhatan/Virginia Algonquian Algic 18th century
Purisimeño Chumashan early 20th century
Quapaw Siouan 19 April 2022 [11]
Quileute Chimakuan 1999
Quinault Salishan 1996 Revival attempts underway
Quiripi/Mattabesic/Quiripi-Unquachog/Quiripi-Naugatuck/Wampano Algic 20th century
Ramaytush Utian 1915
Rumsen/Rumsien/San Carlos Costanoan/Carmeleno Utian 1939
Salinan Language isolate 1958
Scahentoarrhonon Iroquoian approx. 1652
Serrano Uto-Aztecan 2002 Revival attempts underway
Shasta Shastan 20th century
New River Shasta Shastan 1926
Siuslaw Language isolate 1960
Southern Patwin Wintuan (date missing)
Susquehannock/Conestoga Iroquoian 18th century
Taensa Language isolate late 19th century Probably Natchez dialect.
Takelma Language isolate 1934
Tamien Utian (date missing)
Tataviam Uto-Aztecan 1916
Tawasa Language isolate 18th century Possibly Timucuan dialect.
Tillamook Salishan 1972
Timucua Language isolate 18th century
Tongva/Gabrielino/Gabrieleño Uto-Aztecan 20th century Revival attempts underway
Tonkawa Language isolate 1940s
Tübatulabal Uto-Aztecan 2008 Revival attempts underway[12]
Tunica/Luhchi Yoroni/Tonica/Yuron Language isolate 1948 Revival attempts underway
Tuscarora Iroquoian 2020
Tutelo/Tutelo–Saponi Siouan 1982
Tututni/(Lower) Rogue River/Upper Coquille/Nuu-wee-ya Na-Dene 1983 Revival attempts underway
Twana/Skokomish Salishan 1980
Upper Umpqua Na-Dene 1950s
Unami Algic 2002
Ventureño Chumashan 20th century
Wailaki/Eel River Athabaskan Na-Dene 1960s
Wappo Yuki–Wappo 1990
Wenro Iroquoian 17th century
Wichita Caddoan 2016
Wintu Wintuan 2003 Revival attempts underway
Wiyot/Wishosk/Soulatluk Algic 1962 Revival attempts underway
Woccon Siouan early 18th century Revival attempts underway
Yana/Yanan Language isolate 1916
Yoncalla/Southern Kalapuya/Yonkalla Kalapuyan 1930s
Yuchi Language isolate August 27, 2021 Revival attempts underway
Yuki/Ukomno'm Yuki–Wappo 1983
Yurok/Chillula/Mita/Pekwan/Rikwa/Sugon/Weitspek/Weitspekan Algic 2013 Revival attempts underway

European languages or dialects

[edit]
Language name Language family Extinction date References
Jersey Dutch Indo-European 20th century

Creole languages or dialects

[edit]
Language name Creole parent language(s) Extinction date References
Mohawk Dutch Dutch creole and Mohawk 19-20th century

Pidgin languages

[edit]
Language name Pidgin parent language(s) Extinction date References
Broken Oghibbeway Ottawa Ojibwe and Fox after 1820s
Pidgin Delaware Delaware 19th century
Massachusett Pidgin Massachusett early 18th century
Massachusett Pidgin English English and Massachusett early 19th century
Mobilian Jargon Muskogean 1950s

Sign languages

[edit]
Language name Extinction date References
Henniker Sign Language 20th century
Martha's Vineyard Sign Language 1952
Plateau Sign Language 18th century
Sandy River Valley Sign Language 19th century

U.S. Virgin Islands

[edit]

Creole languages

Language name Creole parent language(s) Extinction date References
Negerhollands Dutch creole, Danish, English, French, Spanish, and African 1987

United States and Canada

[edit]

Indigenous languages

Language or dialect name Dialect parent language Language family Extinction date Notes References
Eastern Abnaki dialect Abnaki language Algic 1993 [13]
Wyandot Iroquoian 1972 Revival attempts underway by the Wyandotte Nation (United States) and Huron-Wendat Nation (Canada) [14]
Tsetsaut Na-Dene early 1930s

Pidgin languages

Language name Pidgin parent language(s) Extinction date Notes References
Eskimo Trade Jargon Iñupiaq 20th century

United States and Mexico

[edit]

Indigenous languages

Language or dialect name Language family Extinction date Notes References
Amotomanco unclassified (date missing)
Cotoname Language isolate 20th century
Garza Comecrudan 19th century
Ópata Uto-Aztecan 20th century Revival attempts underway among Opata people
Solano unclassified 18th century

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Neutral Confederacy". The Canadian Encyclopedia
  2. ^ "Maclean's - November 2020". magazine.macleans.ca. Retrieved 2022-10-03.
  3. ^ Dunlop, Britt; Gessner, Suzanne; Herbert, Tracey; Parker, Aliana (2018). Report on the status of B.C. First Nations Languages (PDF) (Report) (3rd ed.). First People's Cultural Council.
  4. ^ Constela Umaña, Adolfo; Margery Peña, Enrique (2015-08-31). "Elementos de fonología comparada Chocó*". Revista de Filología y Lingüística de la Universidad de Costa Rica. 17 (1–2): 137. doi:10.15517/rfl.v17i1-2.20972. ISSN 2215-2628.
  5. ^ "Caddo Nation mourns loss of last fluent language speaker". KOCO News. 2025-07-16. Retrieved 2025-07-16.
  6. ^ "Last Fluent Speaker of Nxamxcin Language Dies at 96". The Spokesman. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  7. ^ Saskia De Melker, "'We Still Live Here' Traces Comeback of Wampanoag Indian Language", PBS Newshour, 11-10-2011, accessed 18 November 2011
  8. ^ Rose, Christina (2014-02-25). "Sleeping Language Waking Up Thanks to Wampanoag Reclamation Project". Indian Country Today Media Network. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-26.
  9. ^ "Endangered Languages Project - Osage". endangeredlanguages.com. Retrieved 2015-08-16.
  10. ^ "Words of the Tribe - Age of the Osage". ageoftheosage.typepad.com. Retrieved 2015-08-16.
  11. ^ "Ardina Revard Moore Obituary". Osage News. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  12. ^ "Pahka'anil (Tübatulabal) Text Project - Home". web.csulb.edu.
  13. ^ "Penobscot". Native Languages of the Americas. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  14. ^ Pulte, William. 1999. "The Last Speaker of Wyandot". Algonquian and Iroquoian Linguistics 24(4):43-44.
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