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]

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
Algeria
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Judezmo languageSeverely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Morocco, Romania, Turkey, Serbialad
Korandje languageSeverely endangered[1] kcy
Shenwa languageVulnerable[1] cnu
Tagargrent languageSeverely endangered[1] oua
Tamahaq languageVulnerable[1] thv
Tamazight languageCritically endangered[1](Arzew)  rif
Tamzabit languageVulnerable[1]Ghardaïamzb
Tasnusit languageSeverely endangered[1]Amazigh of Aït Snouss, in Tlemcen 
Tayurayt languageVulnerable[1]  
Taznatit languageSeverely endangered[1] grr
Tidikelt languageCritically endangered[1] tia
Tugurt languageSeverely endangered[1] tjo
Zenatiya languageCritically endangered[1]  

Angola

Main article: Languages of Angola
Angola
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Bolo languageDefinitely endangered[1] blv

Benin

Main article: Languages of Benin
Benin
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Tchumbuli languageCritically endangered[1] bga

Botswana

Main article: Languages of Botswana
Botswana
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Danisi languageCritically endangered[1] shg
Kua languageDefinitely endangered[1] tyu
Taa languageDefinitely endangered[1] nmn
Ts'èxa languageDefinitely endangered[1]  
Yeyi languageDefinitely endangered[1] yey
Gui languageVulnerable[1] gwj
Xaise languageCritically endangered[1] shg
ǁAni languageDefinitely endangered[1] hnh
ǁGana languageVulnerable[1] gnk
ǂHoa languageCritically endangered[1] huc

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Pana languageDefinitely endangered[1] png

Cameroon

Main article: Languages of Cameroon
Cameroon
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Akum languageCritically endangered[1]Also spoken in: Nigeriaaku
Bakole languageCritically endangered[1] kme
Baldemu languageCritically endangered[1] bdn
Bati languageSeverely endangered[1] btc
Beezen languageSeverely endangered[1] bnz
Bikya languageCritically endangered[1] byb
Bishuo languageCritically endangered[1] bwh
Bubia languageSeverely endangered[1] bbx
Bung languageCritically endangered[1] bqd
Busuu languageCritically endangered[1] bju
Cambap languageCritically endangered[1] twn
Dimbong languageCritically endangered[1] dii
Eman languageSeverely endangered[1] emn
Gyele languageDefinitely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Equatorial Guineagyi
Hijuk languageCritically endangered[1] hij
Hya languageSeverely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Nigeriahya
Isu languageSeverely endangered[1] szv
Iyive languageSeverely endangered[1] uiv
Kendem languageSeverely endangered[1] kvm
Kuk languageDefinitely endangered[1] kfm
Kung languageSeverely endangered[1] kfl
Langa languageSeverely endangered[1]  
Majera languageCritically endangered[1] xmj
Maslam languageSeverely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Chadmsv
Mono language (Cameroon)Critically endangered[1] mnr
Ndai languageCritically endangered[1] gke
Njerep languageCritically endangered[1]  
Nubaca languageSeverely endangered[1] baf
Somyev languageCritically endangered[1]Also spoken in: Nigeriakgt
Tuotomb languageSeverely endangered[1] ttf
Yasa languageDefinitely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Equatorial Guineayko
Zumaya languageCritically endangered[1] zuy

Central African Republic

Central African Republic
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Birri languageCritically endangered[1] bvq
Geme languageCritically endangered[1] geq
Ngombe languageDefinitely endangered[1] nmj
Ukhwejo languageSeverely endangered[1] ukh
Yulu languageVulnerable[1]Also spoken in: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudanyul

Chad

Main article: Languages of Chad
Chad
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Besme languageSeverely endangered[1] bes
Boor languageCritically endangered[1] bvf
Fania languageSeverely endangered[1] fni
Fongoro languageSeverely endangered[1] fgr
Gadang languageDefinitely endangered[1] gdk
Goundo languageCritically endangered[1] goy
Jaya languageSeverely endangered[1] jyy
Jonkor Bourmataguil languageSeverely endangered[1] jeu
Karang languageVulnerable[1] kth
Kendeje languageDefinitely endangered[1] klf
Koke languageSeverely endangered[1] kou
Kujarge languageDefinitely endangered[1] vkj
Kulfa languageDefinitely endangered[1] kxj
Laal languageCritically endangered[1] gdm
Mabiri languageCritically endangered[1] muj
Mambai languageSeverely endangered[1] mcs
Maslam languageSeverely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Cameroonmsv
Massalat languageCritically endangered[1] mdg
Mbara languageSeverely endangered[1] mpk
Miltu languageCritically endangered[1] mlj
Noy languageCritically endangered[1] noy
Saba languageDefinitely endangered[1] saa
Sarwa languageDefinitely endangered[1] swy
Tamki languageCritically endangered[1] tax
Toram languageSeverely endangered[1] trj
Ubi languageSeverely endangered[1] ubi
Zirenkel languageDefinitely endangered[1] zrn

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Beeke languageSeverely endangered[1] bkf
Boguru languageCritically endangered[1]Also spoken in: Sudanbqu
Kari languageSeverely endangered[1] kbj
Ngbinda languageCritically endangered[1] nbd
Yulu languageVulnerable[1]Also spoken in: Central African Republic, Sudanyul

Egypt

Main article: Languages of Egypt
Egypt
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Domari languageSeverely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syriarmt
Siwi languageDefinitely endangered[1] siz

Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Benga languageDefinitely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Gabonbng
Gyele languageDefinitely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Cameroongyi
Yasa languageDefinitely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Cameroonyko

Eritrea

Main article: Languages of Eritrea
Eritrea
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Dahaalik languageCritically endangered[1]  

Ethiopia

Main article: Languages of Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
'Ongota languageCritically endangered[1] bxe
Anfillo languageCritically endangered[1] myo
Arbore languageDefinitely endangered[1] arv
Argobba languageCritically endangered[1] agj
Bambassi languageDefinitely endangered[1] myf
Bayso languageDefinitely endangered[1] bsw
Bussa languageVulnerable[1] dox
Chara languageVulnerable[1] cra
Dimme languageVulnerable[1] dim
Gats'ama - Ganjule - Harro languageDefinitely endangered[1] kcx
Hozo languageDefinitely endangered[1] hoz
K'emant languageSeverely endangered[1] ahg
Karo languageCritically endangered[1] kxh
Komo languageDefinitely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Sudanxom
Kwama languageVulnerable[1] kmq
Kwegu languageCritically endangered[1] xwg
Mursi languageVulnerable[1] muz
Nayi languageVulnerable[1] noz
Opuuo languageCritically endangered[1] lgn
Oyda languageVulnerable[1] oyd
Shabo languageSeverely endangered[1] sbf
Tsamay languageDefinitely endangered[1] tsb
Yem languageVulnerable[1] jnj
Zay languageSeverely endangered[1] zwa

Gabon

Main article: Languages of Gabon
Gabon
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Benga languageDefinitely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Equatorial Guineabng
Bwisi languageDefinitely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Congobwz
Kaande languageSeverely endangered[1] kbs
Mahongwe languageSeverely endangered[1] mhb
Sake languageSeverely endangered[1] sak
Sighu languageSeverely endangered[1] sxe
Tchitchege languageDefinitely endangered[1] tck
Vumbu languageDefinitely endangered[1] vum

Ghana

Main article: Languages of Ghana
Ghana
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Animere languageCritically endangered[1] anf
Kamara languageDefinitely endangered[1] jmr
Konni languageVulnerable[1] kma
Tafi languageVulnerable[1] tcd
Tuwuli languageVulnerable[1] bov

Guinea

Main article: Languages of Guinea
Guinea
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Badiaranke languageSeverely endangered[1] pbp
Baga Manduri languageDefinitely endangered[1] bmb
Baga Mboteni languageCritically endangered[1] bgm
Baga Sitemu languageSeverely endangered[1] bsp
Baga Pokur languageDefinitely endangered[1] bcg
Mani languageCritically endangered[1]Also spoken in: Sierra Leonebuy
Nalu languageDefinitely endangered[1] naj

Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Cobiana languageCritically endangered[1]Also spoken in: Senegalkcj
Ediamat languageVulnerable[1] eja
Kasanga languageCritically endangered[1] ccj

Kenya

Main article: Languages of Kenya
Kenya
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Bong'om languageDefinitely endangered[1] spy
Boni languageDefinitely endangered[1] bob
Burji languageVulnerable[1] bji
Dahalo languageSeverely endangered[1] dal
Omotik languageCritically endangered[1] omt
Ongamo languageCritically endangered[1] nsg
Suba languageVulnerable[1]Also spoken in: Tanzaniasxb, ssc

Lesotho

Main article: Languages of Lesotho
Lesotho
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Phuthi languageDefinitely endangered[1] ssw

Libya

Main article: Languages of Libya
Libya
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Awjila languageSeverely endangered[1] auj
Domari languageSeverely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syriarmt
Ghadames languageVulnerable[1] gha
Nafusi languageSeverely endangered[1] jbn
Sawkna languageCritically endangered[1] swn
Tamahaq languageDefinitely endangered[1] thv

Mali

Main article: Languages of Mali
Mali
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Banka languageDefinitely endangered[1] bxw
Tamaceq languageDefinitely endangered[1] taq

Mauritania

Mauritania
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Imeraguen languageDefinitely endangered[1] ime
Nemadi languageCritically endangered[1]  
Zenaga languageSeverely endangered[1] zen

Morocco

Main article: Languages of Morocco
Morocco
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Figuig languageVulnerable[1]  
Ghomara languageCritically endangered[1] gho
Judezmo languageSeverely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Turkey, Serbialad
Moroccan Judeo-Arabic languageSeverely endangered[1] aju
Sanhaja of Srair languageCritically endangered[1] sjs
Tamazight languageDefinitely endangered[1](Beni Iznassen)  rif

Namibia

Main article: Languages of Namibia
Namibia
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Khwe languageDefinitely endangered[1] xuu

Niger

Main article: Languages of Niger
Niger
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Tamajeq languageVulnerable[1] thz
Tetserret languageSeverely endangered[1]  

Nigeria

Main article: Languages of Nigeria
Nigeria
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Akum languageCritically endangered[1]Also spoken in: Cameroonaku
Bade languageVulnerable[1] bde
Bakpinka languageCritically endangered[1] bbs
Defaka languageCritically endangered[1] afn
Duguza languageDefinitely endangered[1] dza
Dulbu languageCritically endangered[1] dbo
Fyem languageSeverely endangered[1] pym
Geji clusterSeverely endangered[1] gji
Gera languageVulnerable[1] gew
Gura languageSeverely endangered[1] gvm
Gurdu-Mbaaru languageSeverely endangered[1] grd
Gyem languageCritically endangered[1] gye
Hya languageSeverely endangered[1]Also spoken in: Cameroonhya
Ilue languageCritically endangered[1] ilv
Jilbe languageCritically endangered[1] jie
Kiong languageCritically endangered[1] kkm
Kona languageSeverely endangered[1] juo
Kudu-Camo languageCritically endangered[1] kov
Luri languageCritically endangered[1] ldd
Mvanip languageCritically endangered[1] mcj
Ndunda languageSeverely endangered[1] nuh
Ngwaba languageSeverely endangered[1] ngw
Polci clusterDefinitely endangered[1] plj
Reshe languageVulnerable[1] res
Sambe languageCritically endangered[1]  
Somyev languageCritically endangered[1]Also spoken in: Cameroonkgt
Yangkam languageCritically endangered[1] bsx

Senegal

Main article: Languages of Senegal
Senegal
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Bainouk-Gunyaamolo languageVulnerable[1] bcz
Bainouk-Samik languageSeverely endangered[1] bcb
Bandial languageVulnerable[1] bqj
Bassari languageVulnerable[1] bsc
Bayot languageVulnerable[1] bda
Cobiana languageCritically endangered[1]Also spoken in: Guinea-Bissaukcj
Gusilay languageVulnerable[1] gsl
Jola-Kassa languageVulnerable[1] csk
Karone languageVulnerable[1] krx
Kwatay languageSeverely endangered[1] cwt
Mancagne languageVulnerable[1] knf
Menik languageDefinitely endangered[1] tnr
Mlomp languageCritically endangered[1] mlo
Noon languageVulnerable[1] snf
Paloor languageVulnerable[1] fap

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Bom languageSeverely endangered[1] bmf
Kim languageCritically endangered[1] krm
Mani languageCritically endangered[1]Also spoken in: Guineabuy

South Africa

South Africa
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Korana languageCritically endangered[1] kqz
Nǀuu languageCritically endangered[1] ngh
Xiri languageCritically endangered[1] xii

Sudan

Tanzania

Main article: Languages of Tanzania
Tanzania
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Akie languageCritically endangered[1] oki
Burunge languageVulnerable[1] bds
Dhaiso languageDefinitely endangered[1] dhs
Gweno languageCritically endangered[1] gwe
Hadza languageVulnerable[1] hts
Kami languageSeverely endangered[1] kcu
Segeju languageSeverely endangered[1] seg
Suba languageVulnerable[1]Also spoken in: Kenyasxb, ssc
Vidunda languageVulnerable[1] vid
Zaramo languageDefinitely endangered[1] zaj

Tunisia

Main article: Languages of Tunisia
Tunisia
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Tamazight languageSeverely endangered[1]
Judeo-Tunisian Arabic languageCritically endangered[1]ajt

Uganda

Main article: Languages of Uganda
Uganda
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Amba languageVulnerable[1] rwm
Ik languageSeverely endangered[1] ikx
Soo languageCritically endangered[1] teu

Western Sahara

Western Sahara
Language Status Comments ISO 639-3
Zenaga languageCritically endangered[1] zen

See also

Notes

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 3/21/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.