View source for Indigenous languages of the Americas

{{Short description|none}}
{{redirect|Amerindian language|the proposed language family|Amerind languages}}
{{External links|date=January 2022}}
[[File:Dresden codex, page 2.jpg|thumb|[[Yucatec Maya language|Yucatec Maya writing]] in the ''[[Dresden Codex]]'', ca. 11–12th century, [[Chichen Itza]]]]
The '''Indigenous languages of the Americas''' are the [[language]]s that were used by the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas]] [[Pre-Columbian era|before the arrival of Europeans]]. Over a thousand<!--Ethnologue 24 counts 1044, not counting those extinct before ca. 1950. Glottolog 4.3 counts 1305, incl. 32 unattested and 77 unclassifiable--> of these languages are still used today, while many more are now [[Extinct language|extinct]]. The Indigenous languages of the Americas are not all [[Genetic relationship (linguistics)|related]] to each other; instead, they are classified into a hundred or so<!--52 from N.Am list below, 16 more Meso-Central, 102 more in S.Am. = 160 --> [[Language family|language families]] and [[language isolate|isolates]], as well as several extinct languages that are [[Unclassified language|unclassified]] due to the lack of information on them.

Many proposals have been made to relate some or all of these languages to each other, with varying degrees of success. The most widely reported is [[Joseph Greenberg]]'s [[Amerind languages|Amerind]] hypothesis,<ref>{{cite book|last=Greenberg|first=Joseph|author-link=Joseph Greenberg|title=Language in the Americas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rdbEBricFRUC|year=1987|publisher=Stanford University Press|isbn=978-0-8047-1315-3}}</ref> which, however, nearly all specialists reject because of severe methodological flaws; spurious data; and a failure to distinguish [[Cognate|cognation]], [[Language contact|contact]], and coincidence.<ref>{{cite book|last=Campbell|first=Lyle|author-link=Lyle Campbell|title=American Indian Languages: The Historical Linguistics of Native America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h36tPYqAZPwC|year=2000|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-534983-2 |page=253}}</ref>

According to [[UNESCO]], most of the Indigenous languages of the Americas are critically endangered, and many are [[Dormant language|dormant]] (without native speakers but with a community of heritage-language users) or entirely extinct.<ref name="online">{{cite book |editor-last=Gordon |editor-first=Raymond G. Jr. |year=2005 |title=Ethnologue: Languages of the World |edition=15th |location=Dallas |publisher=SIL International |isbn=1-55671-159-X}}. (Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com)</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Schwartz|first=Saul|date=2018|title=The predicament of language and culture: Advocacy, anthropology, and dormant language communities|url=https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jola.12204|journal=[[Journal of Linguistic Anthropology]]|volume=28|issue=3|pages=332–355|doi=10.1111/jola.12204|s2cid=150209288|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The most widely spoken Indigenous languages are [[Southern Quechua]] (spoken primarily in southern Peru and Bolivia) and [[Guarani language|Guaraní]] (centered in Paraguay, where it shares national language status with Spanish), with perhaps six or seven million speakers apiece (including many of European descent in the case of Guaraní). Only half a dozen others have more than a million speakers; these are [[Aymara language|Aymara]] of Bolivia and [[Nahuatl]] of Mexico, with almost two million each; the Mayan languages [[Kekchi language|Kekchi]] and [[Kʼicheʼ language|K'iche']] of Guatemala and [[Yucatec Maya language|Yucatec]] of Mexico, with about 1 million apiece; and perhaps one or two additional Quechuan languages in Peru and Ecuador. In the United States, 372,000 people reported speaking an Indigenous language at home in the 2010 census.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Census Shows Native Languages Count|url=https://www.languagemagazine.com/census-shows-native-languages-count/|access-date=2020-08-16|website=Language Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref> In Canada, 133,000 people reported speaking an Indigenous language at home in the 2011 census.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/hlt-fst/lang/Pages/highlight.cfm?TabID=1&Lang=E&tableID=404&queryID=1&PRCode=01|title=Population by Aboriginal mother tongue, Aboriginal language spoken most often at home and Aboriginal language spoken on a regular basis at home, for Canada, provinces and territories|access-date=May 18, 2020}}</ref> In Greenland, about 90% of the population speaks [[Greenlandic language|Greenlandic]], the most widely spoken [[Eskaleut languages|Eskaleut language]].

==Background==

{{Further|Indigenous peoples of the Americas}}
Over a thousand known languages were spoken by various peoples in North and South America prior to their first contact with Europeans. These encounters occurred between the beginning of the 11th century (with the [[Nordic countries|Nordic]] settlement of [[Greenland]] and failed efforts in [[Newfoundland and Labrador]]) and the end of the 15th century (the voyages of [[Christopher Columbus]]). Several Indigenous cultures of the Americas had also developed their own [[writing system]]s,<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QnHf4cpwENEC&q=aztec+maya+writing&pg=PA167 |title=Autochthonous American writing systems: The Aztec and Mayan examples |last1=Premm |first1=Hanns J. |last2=Riese |first2=Berthold |journal=Writing in Focus |publisher=Mouton Publishers |year=1983 |isbn=978-90-279-3359-1 |editor-last=Coulmas |editor-first=Florian |series=Trends in Linguistics: Studies and Monographs |volume=24 |location=Berlin |pages=167–186 |doi=10.1515/9783110822830.167 |access-date=15 March 2019 |editor-last2=Ehlich |editor-first2=Konrad|url-access=subscription }}</ref> the best known being the [[Maya script]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Wichmann|first=Soren|title=Mayan Historical Linguistics and Epigraphy: A New Synthesis|journal=Annual Review of Anthropology|year=2006|volume=35|pages=279–294|doi=10.1146/annurev.anthro.35.081705.123257}}</ref>  The Indigenous languages of the Americas had widely varying demographics, from the [[Quechuan languages]], [[Aymara language|Aymara]], [[Guarani language|Guarani]], and [[Nahuatl]], which had millions of active speakers, to many languages with only several hundred speakers. After pre-Columbian times, several Indigenous [[creole language]]s developed in the Americas, based on European, Indigenous and African languages.

The European colonizing nations and their successor states had widely varying attitudes towards Native American languages. In Brazil, friars learned and promoted the [[Tupi language]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Shapiro|first=Judith|title=From Tupã to the Land without Evil: The Christianization of Tupi-Guarani Cosmology|journal=American Ethnologist|year=1987|volume=1|issue=14|pages=126–139|doi=10.1525/ae.1987.14.1.02a00080}}</ref> In many Spanish colonies, Spanish missionaries often learned local languages and culture in order to preach to the natives in their own tongue and relate the Christian message to their Indigenous religions. In the British American colonies, [[John Eliot (missionary)|John Eliot]] of the [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]] [[Bible translations|translated the Bible]] into the [[Massachusett language]], also called Wampanoag, or Natick (1661–1663); he published the first Bible printed in North America, the ''[[Eliot Indian Bible]]''.

The Europeans also suppressed use of Indigenous languages, establishing their own languages for official communications, destroying texts in other languages, and insisted that Indigenous people learn European languages in schools. As a result, Indigenous languages suffered from cultural suppression and loss of speakers. By the 18th and 19th centuries, Spanish, English, Portuguese, French, and Dutch, brought to the Americas by European settlers and administrators, had become the official or national languages of modern nation-states of the Americas.

Many Indigenous languages have become critically endangered, but others are vigorous and part of daily life for millions of people. Several Indigenous languages have been given official status in the countries where they occur, such as [[Guarani language|Guaraní]] in [[Paraguay]]. In other cases official status is limited to certain regions where the languages are most spoken. Although sometimes enshrined in constitutions as official, the languages may be used infrequently in ''de facto'' official use. Examples are [[Quechua people|Quechua]] in Peru and [[Aymara people|Aymara]] in Bolivia, where in practice, Spanish is dominant in all formal contexts.

In the North American Arctic region, Greenland in 2009 elected [[Greenlandic language|Kalaallisut]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stm.dk/multimedia/selvstyreloven.pdf|title=Lov om Grønlands Selvstyre Kapitel 7 Sprog|trans-title=Law of Greenland Self-Determination Chapter 7 Language|website=www.stm.dk|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref> as its sole official language. In the United States, the [[Navajo language]] is the most spoken Native American language, with more than 200,000 speakers in the [[Southwestern United States]]. The US Marine Corps recruited Navajo men, who were established as [[code talkers]] during World War II.

==Origins==
{{see also|Settlement of the Americas}}
In ''American Indian Languages: The Historical Linguistics of Native America'' (1997), [[Lyle Campbell]] lists several hypotheses for the historical origins of Amerindian languages.<ref>{{cite book |last=Campbell |first=Lyle |year=1997 |title=American Indian languages: the historical linguistics of Native America |chapter=The Origin of American Indian Languages |pages=90–106 |location=Oxford |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-509427-1}}.</ref>

* A single, one-language migration (not widely accepted)
* A few linguistically distinct migrations (favored by [[Edward Sapir]])
* Multiple migrations
* Multilingual migrations (single migration with multiple languages)
* The influx of already diversified but related languages from the [[Old World]]
* Extinction of [[Old World]] linguistic relatives (while the New World ones survived)
* Migration along the Pacific coast instead of by the [[Bering Strait]]

[[Roger Blench]] (2008) has advocated the theory of multiple migrations along the Pacific coast of peoples from northeastern Asia, who already spoke diverse languages. These proliferated in the New World.<ref>{{cite web |last=Blench |first=Roger |year=2008 |url=http://www.rogerblench.info/Archaeology/New%20World/Peopling%20of%20the%20New%20World%20Canberra%20paper.pdf |title=Accounting for the Diversity of Amerindian Languages: Modelling the Settlement of the New World}} Paper presented at the Archaeology Research Seminar, RSPAS, [[Canberra, Australia]].</ref>

==Numbers of speakers and political recognition==
Countries like Mexico, Bolivia, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Guyana recognize most Indigenous languages. Bolivia and Venezuela give all Indigenous languages official status. Canada, Argentina, and the U.S. allow provinces and states to decide. Brazil limits recognition to localities.

* Bolivia: Official status for all Indigenous languages.
* Venezuela: Official status for all Indigenous languages.
* Mexico: Recognizes all Indigenous languages.
* Guatemala: Recognizes all Indigenous languages.
* Guyana: Recognizes most Indigenous languages.
* Colombia: Local recognition at the department level.
* Canada: Bill C-91 [[Indigenous Languages Act]] and Indigenous languages recognition in Parliament.
* Argentina: Provincial determination of language policies.
* United States: State determination of language policies.
* Brazil: Local recognition of Indigenous languages.

Canada

Bill C-91, passed in 2019, supports Indigenous languages through sustainable funding and the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages. The first Commissioner of Indigenous languages in Canada is [[Ronald E. Ignace]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.parl.ca/documentviewer/en/42-1/bill/c-91/royal-assent|title=Government Bill (House of Commons) C-91 (42-1) - Royal Assent - Indigenous Languages Act - Parliament of Canada|website=www.parl.ca}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Hudon |first=Marie-Ève |title=Official Languages and Parliament |journal=HillStudy |issue=2015-131-E |publisher=Library of Parliament |location=Ottawa |date=2022 |url=https://lop.parl.ca/staticfiles/PublicWebsite/Home/ResearchPublications/HillStudies/PDF/2015-131-E.pdf |access-date=2025-08-12}}</ref><ref>Robert-Falcon Ouellette, Honouring Indigenous Languages Within Parliament, 2019 42-2 Canadian Parliamentary Review 3, 2019 CanLIIDocs 3786, <https://canlii.ca/t/spw6>, retrieved on 2025-08-12</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-education/news-all/meet-robert-falcon-ouellette-veteran-former-parliamentarian-and-professor#:~:text=Professor%20Ouellette%20holds%20a%20doctorate,Chair%20of%20the%20Indigenous%20Caucus. | title=Meet Robert-Falcon Ouellette: Veteran, former parliamentarian, and professor }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revparlcan.ca/en/honouring-indigenous-languages-within-parliament/|title=Honouring Indigenous Languages Within Parliament – Canadian Parliamentary Review – La Revue parlementaire canadienne|date=August 8, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4901314/indigenous-winnipeg-mp-delivers-historic-speech-in-house-of-commons/|title=Indigenous Winnipeg MP delivers speech in Cree in House of Commons - Winnipeg &#124; Globalnews.ca|website=CJOB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/27/canada-native-languages-parliament-indigenous|title=Sound of native languages in parliament to mark win for indigenous Canadians|first=Leyland|last=Cecco|date=January 27, 2019|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

Colombia

Colombia delegates local Indigenous language recognition to the [[Departments of Colombia|department]] level according to the [[Colombian Constitution of 1991]].

* Bullet points represent minority language status. Political entities with [[official language]] status are highlighted in bold.

{| {{Table|sort}}
|+List of Widely Spoken and Officially Recognized Languages
! Language !! data-sort-type=number | Number of speakers
!Official Recognition
!Area(s) Language is spoken!! Source
|-
|[[Guaraní language|Guaraní]]
| {{sigfig|6,540,000|2}}
|'''Paraguay''' (Official Language)
'''Bolivia'''

[[Corrientes Province|Corrientes]], Argentina

[[Tacuru]], [[Mato Grosso do Sul]], Brazil

'''''[[Mercosur]]'''''
|Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil
|<ref name="Ethnologue 2021">Ethnologue (2021)</ref>
|-
|[[Southern Quechua]]
| {{sigfig|4,906,000|1}} (outdated figure){{When|date=January 2025}}
|'''Bolivia''' (Official Language)
'''Peru''' (Official Language)

[[Jujuy Province|Jujuy]], Argentina

* Chile

'''''[[Comunidad Andina]]'''''
|Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Chile
|<ref name="Ethnologue 2021"/>
|-
|[[Nahuatl]]
| {{sigfig|1,740,000|2}}
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://site.inali.gob.mx/Micrositios/estadistica_basica/estadisticas2015/pdf/familias/yuto-nahua/yuto-nahua1A.pdf|title=Estadística básica de la población hablante de lenguas indígenas nacionales 2015|website=site.inali.gob.mx|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref>
|-
|[[Aymara language|Aymara]]
| {{sigfig|1,677,100|2}}
|'''Bolivia''' (Official Language)
'''Peru''' (Official Language)

* Chile

'''''[[Comunidad Andina]]'''''
|Bolivia, Peru, Chile
|<ref name="Ethnologue 2021"/>
|-
|[[Qʼeqchiʼ language|Qʼeqchiʼ]]
| {{sigfig|1,147,600|2}}
|Guatemala
Belize

Mexico
|Guatemala, Belize, Mexico
|<ref name="Ethnologue 2021"/>
|-
|[[Kʼicheʼ language|Kʼicheʼ]]
| {{sigfig|1,050,000|2}}
|Guatemala

Mexico
|Guatemala & Mexico
|<ref name="Ethnologue 2021"/>
|-
|[[Yucatec Maya language|Yucatec Maya]]
| {{sigfig|887,520|2}}
|Mexico

Belize
|Mexico & Belize
|<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://site.inali.gob.mx/Micrositios/estadistica_basica/estadisticas2015/pdf/familias/maya/maya1A.pdf|title=Estadística básica de la población hablante de lenguas indígenas nacionales 2015|website=site.inali.gob.mx|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ancash Quechua]]
| {{sigfig|728,000|1}} (outdated figure)
|
|Peru
|<ref name="Ethnologue 2021"/>
|-
|[[Mam language|Mam]]
| {{sigfig|602,400|2}}
|Guatemala
Mexico

[[Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities|'''''Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities''' (De facto), Mexico'']]
|Guatemala & Mexico
|
|-
|[[Tzeltal language|Tzeltal]]
| {{sigfig|557,000|2}}
|Mexico

[[Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities|'''''Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities''' (De facto), Mexico'']]
|Mexico
|<ref name="auto2"/>
|-
|[[Mixtec language|Mixtec]]
| {{sigfig|518,000|2}}
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://site.inali.gob.mx/Micrositios/estadistica_basica/estadisticas2015/pdf/familias/oto-mangue/oto-mangue1A.pdf|title=Estadística básica de la población hablante de lenguas indígenas nacionales 2015|website=site.inali.gob.mx|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref>
|-
|[[Tzotzil language|Tzotzil]]
| {{sigfig|488,000|2}}
|Mexico

[[Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities|'''''Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities''' (De facto), Mexico'']]
|Mexico
|<ref name="auto2"/>
|-
|[[Zapotec languages|Zapotec]]
| {{sigfig|479,000|2}}
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref name="auto"/>
|-
|[[Kichwa language|Kichwa]]
| {{sigfig|454,750|2}}
|'''Ecuador'''
Colombia ([[Cauca Department|Cauca]], [[Nariño Department|Nariño]], [[Putumayo Department|Putumayo]])
|Ecuador & Colombia ([[Cauca Department|Cauca]], [[Nariño Department|Nariño]], [[Putumayo Department|Putumayo]])
|<ref name="Ethnologue 2021"/>
|-
|[[Wayuu language|Wayuu]] (Guajiro)
| {{sigfig|416,000|2}}
|'''Venezuela'''
[[La Guajira Department|La Guajira]], Colombia
|Venezuela & Colombia
|
|-
|[[Kaqchikel language|Kaqchikel]]
| {{sigfig|411,000|2}} 
|Guatemala

Mexico
|Guatemala & Mexico
|<ref name="Ethnologue 2021"/>
|-
|[[Otomi language|Otomi]]
| {{sigfig|308,000|2}}
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref name="auto"/>
|-
|[[Totonac language|Totonac]]
| {{sigfig|268,000|2}}
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://site.inali.gob.mx/Micrositios/estadistica_basica/estadisticas2015/pdf/familias/totonaco-tepehua/totonaco-tepehua1A.pdf|title=Estadística básica de la población hablante de lenguas indígenas nacionales 2015|website=site.inali.gob.mx|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref>
|-
|[[Mapuche language|Mapuche]]
| {{sigfig|258,410|2}}
|[[Cautín Province]], [[La Araucanía Region|La Araucanía]], Chile '''([[Galvarino, Chile|Galvarino]], [[Padre Las Casas, Chile|Padre Las Casas]])'''
|[[Cautín Province]], [[La Araucanía Region|La Araucanía]], Chile ([[Galvarino, Chile|Galvarino]], [[Padre Las Casas, Chile|Padre Las Casas]])
|<ref name="Ethnologue 2021"/>
|-
|[[Chʼol language|Ch'ol]]
| {{sigfig|252,000|2}}
|Mexico

[[Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities|'''''Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities''' (De facto)'']], Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref name="auto2"/>
|-
|[[Mazatecan languages|Mazateco]]
| {{sigfig|239,000|2}}
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref name="auto"/>
|-
|[[Qʼanjobʼal language|Qʼanjobʼal]]
| {{sigfig|174,420|2}}
|Guatemala

Mexico
|Guatemala & Mexico
|
|-
|[[Huastec language|Huasteco]]
| {{sigfig|174,000|2}}
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref name="auto2"/>
|-
|[[Navajo language|Navajo]]
| {{sigfig|167,000|2}}
|'''[[Navajo Nation]]''', United States
|Southwestern United States
|<ref name="Ethnologue 2021"/>
|-
|[[Mazahua language|Mazahua]]
| {{sigfig|147,000|2}}
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref name="auto"/>
|-
|[[Miskito language|Miskito]]
| {{sigfig|143,000|2}} (outdated figure)
|'''[[North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region]]''', Nicaragua
Honduras ([[Gracias a Dios Department|Gracias a Dios]])
|Nicaragua, Honduras
|
|-
|[[Chinantecan languages|Chinanteco]]
| {{sigfig|139,000|2}}
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref name="auto"/>
|-
|[[Mixe language|Mixe]]
| {{sigfig|134,000|2}}
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://site.inali.gob.mx/Micrositios/estadistica_basica/estadisticas2015/pdf/familias/mixe-zoque/mixe-zoque1A.pdf|title=Estadística básica de la población hablante de lenguas indígenas nacionales 2015|website=site.inali.gob.mx|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref>
|-
|[[Tlapanec language|Tlapaneco]]
| {{sigfig|134,000|2}}
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref name="auto"/>
|-
|[[Poqomchiʼ language|Poqomchiʼ]]
| {{sigfig|133,000|2}}
|Guatemala
|Guatemala
|
|-
|[[Purépecha language|Purepecha/Tarasco]]
| {{sigfig|124,494|2}}
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://site.inali.gob.mx/Micrositios/estadistica_basica/estadisticas2015/pdf/familias/tarasca/tarasca1A.pdf|title=Estadística básica de la población hablante de lenguas indígenas nacionales 2015|website=site.inali.gob.mx|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref>
|-
|[[Achi language|Achí]]
| {{sigfig|124,000|2}}
|Guatemala
|Guatemala
|
|-
|[[Ixil language|Ixil]]
| {{sigfig|115,000|2}}
|Guatemala

Mexico
|Guatemala & Mexico
|
|-
|[[Yaru Quechua]] 
| 100,000 (circa; outdated figure)
|
|Peru
|<ref name="Ethnologue 2021"/>
|-
|[[Cree language|Cree]]
| {{sigfig|96,360|2}} [incl. Naskapi, Montagnais]
|'''[[Northwest Territories]]''', Canada

* [[Alberta]]
* [[Manitoba]]
* [[Ontario]]
* [[Quebec]]
* [[Saskatchewan]]
|Canada
|<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/lang/Table.cfm?Lang=E&T=41&Geo=01 |title=Language Highlight Tables, 2016 Census – Aboriginal mother tongue, Aboriginal language spoken most often at home and Other Aboriginal language(s) spoken regularly at home for the population excluding institutional residents of Canada, provinces and territories, 2016 Census – 100% Data |publisher=[[Canada Statistics]] |access-date=2017-11-22|date=2017-08-02 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Tarahumara language|Tarahumara]]
| {{sigfig|73,900|2}}
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Tzʼutujil language|Tz'utujil]]
| {{sigfig|72,400|2}}
|Guatemala
|Guatemala
|
|-
|[[Guna language|Guna]]
| {{sigfig|60,600|2}}
|Colombia ([[Chocó Department|Chocó]] & [[Antioquia Department|Antioquia]])
|Colombia ([[Chocó Department|Chocó]] & [[Antioquia Department|Antioquia]]), Panama ([[Guna Yala]])
|
|-
|[[Páez language|Paez]]
|60,000
|Colombia ([[Cauca Department|Cauca]], [[Huila Department|Huila]], [[Valle del Cauca Department|Valle del Cauca]])
|Colombia ([[Cauca Department|Cauca]], [[Huila Department|Huila]], [[Valle del Cauca Department|Valle del Cauca]])
|
|-
|[[Chuj language|Chuj]]
| 59,000
|Guatemala

Mexico
|Guatemala & Mexico
|
|-
|[[Greenlandic language|Kalaallisut (Greenlandic)]]
|57,000
|'''Greenland'''
|Greenland
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stat.gl/dialog/main.asp?lang=en&version=201603&sc=SA&subthemecode=t4&colcode=t|title=Greenland's statistics|website=www.stat.gl/|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref>
|-
|[[Amuzgo language|Amuzgo]]
|55,588
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Tojolabʼal language|Tojolabʼal]]
|51,733
|Mexico

[[Rebel Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities|'''''Zapatista Autonomous Municipalities''' (De facto)'']], Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Garifuna language|Garífuna]]
| 50,000 (circa; outdated figure)
|Guatemala
Belize

'''[[North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region]]''', Nicaragua

Honduras ([[Atlántida Department|Atlántida]], [[Colón Department (Honduras)|Colón]], [[Gracias a Dios Department|Gracias a Dios]])
|Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua, Honduras
|<ref name="Ethnologue 2021"/>
|-
|[[Ojibwe language|Ojibwe]]
| {{sigfig|48,080|2}}
|Canada
United States
|Canada & United States
|<ref name="Ethnologue 2021"/>
|-
|[[Ticuna language|Tikuna]]
|47,000
|Colombia ([[Leticia (Colombia)|Leticia]], [[Puerto Nariño]], [[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas]])
|Amazonas regions of Brazil and Colombia
|<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2014-12-11|title=Brasil tem cinco línguas indígenas com mais de 10 mil falantes|url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/cultura/noticia/2014-12/brasil-tem-cinco-linguas-indigenas-com-mais-de-10-mil-falantes|access-date=2020-08-30|website=Agência Brasil|language=pt-br}}</ref>
|-
|[[Chatino language|Chatino]]
|45,000
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Huichol language|Huichol]]
|44,800
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Mayo language|Mayo]]
|39,600
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Inuktitut]]
| 39,475
|'''[[Nunavut]]''', Canada
'''[[Northwest Territories]]''', Canada

* [[Nunavik]], [[Quebec]]
* [[Nunatsiavut]], [[Newfoundland and Labrador]]
* [[Inuvialuit Settlement Region]], [[Yukon]]
|Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Quebec and Labrador, Canada
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/as-sa/98-200-x/2016022/98-200-x2016022-eng.cfm|title=Census in Brief: The Aboriginal languages of First Nations people, Métis and Inuit|date=25 October 2017|publisher=[[Statistics Canada]]|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref>
|-
|[[Chontal Maya language|Chontal Maya]]
|37,072
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Wichí languages|Wichi]]
|36,135
|[[Chaco Province|'''Chaco''']], Argentina
|[[Chaco Province|Chaco]], Argentina
|
|-
|[[Tepehuán language|Tepehuán]]
|36,000
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Sierra Popoluca|Soteapanec]]
|35,050
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Shuar language|Shuar]]
|35,000
|'''Ecuador'''
|Ecuador
|<ref>Shuar at ''[[Ethnologue]]'' (18th ed., 2015)</ref>
|-
|[[Blackfoot language|Blackfoot]]
| 4,700
|
|Alberta, Canada & Montana, United States
|<ref name=":1">{{cite journal |last1=Genee |first1=Inge |last2=Junker |first2=Marie-Odile |date=2018 |title=The Blackfoot Language Resources and Digital Dictionary project: Creating integrated web resources for language documentation and revitalization |url=https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/24770/genee_junker.pdf |journal=Language Documentation & Conservation |volume=12 |issue= |publisher=[[University of Hawai{{okina}}i]] |pages=274–314 |doi= |access-date=24 September 2025 |archive-date=2020-06-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611223016/https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/24770/genee_junker.pdf}} {{open access}}</ref>{{rp|278}}
|-
|[[Guahibo language|Sikuani]]
|34,000
|Colombia ([[Meta Department|Meta]], [[Vichada Department|Vichada]], [[Arauca Department|Arauca]], [[Guainía Department|Guainía]], [[Guaviare Department|Guaviare]])
|Colombia ([[Meta Department|Meta]], [[Vichada Department|Vichada]], [[Arauca Department|Arauca]], [[Guainía Department|Guainía]], [[Guaviare Department|Guaviare]])
|
|-
|[[Jakaltek language|Jakaltek]]
| {{sigfig|33,130|2}}
|Guatemala

Mexico
|Guatemala & Mexico
|
|-
|[[Kom language (South America)|Kom]]
|31,580
|[[Chaco Province|'''Chaco''']], Argentina
|[[Chaco Province|Chaco]], Argentina
|
|-
|[[Poqomam language|Poqomam]]
|30,000
|Guatemala
|Guatemala
|
|-
|[[Chʼortiʼ language|Ch'orti]]'
|30,000
|Guatemala
|Guatemala
|
|-
|[[Kaiwá language|Kaiwá]]
|26,500
|
|[[Mato Grosso do Sul]], Brazil
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|[[Sioux language|Sioux]]
| 25,000
|'''[[South Dakota]]''', United States
|US
|<ref name="Ethnologue 18th ed., 2015">Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015)</ref>
|-
|[[Oʼodham language|Oʼodham]]
|23,313
|[[Tohono Oʼodham Nation]], United States
[[Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community]], United States

Mexico
|[[Arizona]], United States
|
|-
|[[Kaingang language|Kaigang]]
|22,000
|
|Brazil
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|[[Guambiano language|Guambiano]]
|21,000
|[[Cauca Department]], Colombia
|[[Cauca Department]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Cora language|Cora]]
|20,100
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Yanomamö language|Yanomamö]]
|20,000
|'''[[Venezuela]]'''
|Brazil & Venezuela
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|[[Nheengatu]]
| 19,000
|'''[[São Gabriel da Cachoeira]]''', [[Amazonas (Brazilian state)|Amazonas]], Brazil
'''[[Venezuela]]'''
|Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela
|<ref name="Ethnologue 18th ed., 2015"/>
|-
|[[Central Alaskan Yup'ik language|Yup'ik (Central Alaskan)]] & [[Central Siberian Yupik language|(Siberian)]]
|18,626
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
|[[Alaska]], United States
|
|-
|[[Huave language|Huave]]
| 17,900
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://site.inali.gob.mx/Micrositios/estadistica_basica/estadisticas2015/pdf/familias/huave/huave1A.pdf|title=Estadística básica de la población hablante de lenguas indígenas nacionales 2015|website=site.inali.gob.mx|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref>
|-
|[[Yaqui language|Yaqui]]
|17,546
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Piaroa language|Piaroa]]
|17,000
|[[Vichada Department|Vichada]], Colombia
|[[Vichada Department|Vichada]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Sakapultek language|Sakapultek]]
|15,000
|Guatemala
|Guatemala
|
|-
|[[Western Apache language|Western Apache]]
|14,012
|[[San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation|San Carlos Apache Nation]], United States
[[Fort Apache Indian Reservation]], United States
|[[Arizona]], United States
|
|-
||[[Nivaclé language|Nivaclé]]
|14,000
|
|Paraguay (Gran Chaco Region) & Argentina (Salta Province)
|
|-
|[[Xavante language|Xavante]]
|13,300
|
|[[Mato Grosso|Mato Grosso, Brazil]]
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|[[Keres language|Keresan]]
|13,073
|
|New Mexico, United States
|
|-
|[[Cuicatec language|Cuicatec]]
|13,000
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Awa Pit language|Awa Pit]]
|13,000
|[[Nariño Department]], Colombia
|[[Nariño Department]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Karu language|Karu]]
|12,000
|'''[[Venezuela]]'''
[[Guaviare Department]], Colombia

'''[[São Gabriel da Cachoeira]]''', [[Amazonas (Brazilian state)|Amazonas]], Brazil, ([[Karu language|Baníwa language]])
|[[Guaviare Department|Guaviare]], Colombia & [[Amazonas (Brazilian state)|Amazonas]], Brazil, ([[Karu language|Baníwa language]])
|
|-
|[[Awakatek language|Awakatek]]
|11,607
|Guatemala

Mexico
|Guatemala

Mexico
|
|-
|[[Chipewyan language|Chipewyan]]
| 11,325
|'''[[Northwest Territories]]''', Canada
|[[Northwest Territories]], Canada
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/lang/Table.cfm?Lang=E&T=41&Geo=01|title=Language Highlight Tables, 2016 Census – Aboriginal mother tongue, Aboriginal language spoken most often at home and Other Aboriginal language(s) spoken regularly at home for the population excluding institutional residents of Canada, provinces and territories, 2016 Census – 100% Data|publisher=Government of Canada, Statistics|website=www12.statcan.gc.ca|date=2 August 2017|language=en|access-date=2017-11-22}}</ref>
|-
|[[Pame languages|Pame]]
|11,000
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Wounaan language|Wounaan]]
|10,800
|Colombia ([[Chocó Department|Chocó]], [[Cauca Department|Cauca]], [[Valle del Cauca Department|Valle del Cauca]])
|Colombia ([[Chocó Department|Chocó]], [[Cauca Department|Cauca]], [[Valle del Cauca Department|Valle del Cauca]])
|
|-
|[[Choctaw language|Choctaw]]
| 9,600
|[[Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma]], United States
|[[Oklahoma]] & [[Mississippi]], United States
|<ref name="Ethnologue 21st ed., 2018">Ethnologue (21st ed., 2018)</ref>
|-
|[[Moxo languages|Moxo]]
|10,000
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Kogi language|Kogi]]
|9,900
|[[Magdalena Department|Magdalena]], Colombia
|[[Magdalena Department|Magdalena]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Zuni language|Zuni]]
| 9,620
|
|New Mexico, United States
|<ref>Ethnologue (19th ed., 2016)</ref>
|-
|[[Tenetehara language|Guajajara]]
|9,500
|
|[[Maranhão]], Brazil
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|[[Sumo languages|Sumo]]
|9,000
|'''[[North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region]]''', Nicaragua
|[[North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region]], Nicaragua
|
|-
|[[Mopan language|Mopán]]
| 9,000–12,000
|Guatemala
Belize
|Guatemala & Belize
|<ref>Hofling, [[#Hofling|''Mopan Maya–Spanish–English Dictionary'']], 1.</ref>
|-
|[[Tepehua languages|Tepehua]]
|8,900
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Mawé language|Mawé]]
|8,900
|
|Brazil (Para & Amazonas)
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|[[Terêna language|Terêna]]
|8,200
|
|[[Mato Grosso do Sul]], Brazil
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
|[[Sipakapa language|Sipakapense]]
|8,000
|Guatemala
|Guatemala
|
|-
|[[Arhuaco language|Ika]]
|8,000
|Colombia ([[Cesar Department|Cesar &]] [[Magdalena Department|Magdalena)]]
|Colombia ([[Cesar Department|Cesar &]] [[Magdalena Department|Magdalena)]]
|
|-
|[[Mi'kmaq language|Mi'kmaq]]
|7,140
|
|Canada and United States
|
|-
|[[Tucano language|Tukano]]
|7,100
|'''[[São Gabriel da Cachoeira]]''', [[Amazonas (Brazilian state)|Amazonas]], Brazil<br />'''[[Mitú]]''', [[Vaupés Department|Vaupés]], Colombia
|[[Amazonas (Brazilian state)|Amazonas]], Brazil & [[Vaupés Department|Vaupés]], Colombia
|<ref name=":1" />
|-
|[[Minica Huitoto language|Minica Huitoto]]
|6,800
|[[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas]], Colombia
|[[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Hopi language|Hopi]]
|6,780
|
|Arizona, United States
|<ref name="Ethnologue 18th ed., 2015"/>
|-
|[[Enlhet language|Enlhet]]
| 6,400
|
|[[Presidente Hayes Department|Presidente Hayes]], Paraguay
|-
|[[Piapoco language|Piapoco]]
|6,400
|Colombia ([[Guainía Department|Guainía]], [[Vichada Department|Vichada]], [[Meta Department|Meta]])
|Colombia ([[Guainía Department|Guainía]], [[Vichada Department|Vichada]], [[Meta Department|Meta]])
|
|-
|[[Cubeo language|Cubeo]]
|6,300
|[[Vaupés Department|Vaupés]], Colombia
|[[Vaupés Department|Vaupés]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Kayapo language|Kayapo]]
|6,200
|
|Brazil ([[Pará]] & [[Mato Grosso]])
|<ref name=":1" />
|-
|[[Yukpa language|Yukpa]]
|6,000
|'''[[Venezuela]]'''
[[Cesar Department|Cesar]], Colombia
|[[Venezuela]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Chiquitano language|Chiquitano]]
|5,900
|Bolivia
|Brazil & Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Guarayu language|Guarayu]]
|5,900
|Bolivia
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Macushi language|Macushi]]
|5,800
|Venezuela

[[Guyana]]
|Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana
|<ref name=":1" />
|-
|[[Chimane language|Chimané]]
|5,300
|Bolivia
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Tewa language|Tewa]]
|5,123
|
|New Mexico, United States
|
|-
|[[Timbira language|Timbira]]
|5,100
|
|Brazil ([[Maranhão]], [[Tocantins]], [[Pará]])
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://etnolinguistica.wdfiles.com/local--files/tese%3Anikulin-2020/Nikulin_2020_Proto-Macro-Je.pdf|title=PROTO-MACRO-JÊ: UM ESTUDO RECONSTRUTIVO}}</ref>
|-
|[[Sanumá language|Sanumá]]
|5,100
|'''Venezuela'''
|Brazil & Venezuela
|<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=IBGE – Indigenous languages census|url=https://indigenas.ibge.gov.br/images/pdf/indigenas/folder_indigenas_web.pdf}}</ref>
|-
|[[Muscogee language|Muscogee]]
| 5,072
|'''[[Muscogee (Creek) Nation]]''', OK, United States
|United States ([[Oklahoma]], [[Alabama]], [[Florida]])
|<ref name="Ethnologue 21st ed., 2018"/>
|-
|[[Tequistlatecan languages|Chontal of Oaxaca]]
| 5,039
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://site.inali.gob.mx/Micrositios/estadistica_basica/estadisticas2015/pdf/familias/chontal-oaxaca/chontal-oaxaca1A.pdf|title=Estadística básica de la población hablante de lenguas indígenas nacionales 2015|website=site.inali.gob.mx|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref>
|-
|[[Tektitek language|Tektitek]]
|5,000
|Guatemala
|Guatemala
|
|-
|[[Barí language|Barí]]
|5,000
|Colombia ([[Cesar Department|Cesar]] & [[Norte de Santander Department|Norte de Santander]])
|Colombia ([[Cesar Department|Cesar]] & [[Norte de Santander Department|Norte de Santander]])
|
|-
|[[Camsá language|Camsá]]
|4,000
|[[Putumayo Department|Putumayo]], Colombia
|[[Putumayo Department|Putumayo]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Kulina language|Kulina]]
|3,900
|
|Brazil (Amazonas) & Peru
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|[[Crow language|Crow]]
|3,862
|
|[[Montana]], United States
|
|-
|[[Mohawk language|Mohawk]]
| 3,875
|'''[[Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne]]''', Canada
|Canada (Ontario & Quebec) and United States (New York)
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/moh|title=Mohawk|work=Ethnologue|access-date=2018-06-09|language=en}}</ref><ref name="census">{{Cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/dt-td/Rp-eng.cfm?LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=0&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=0&GC=0&GID=0&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=112132&PRID=10&PTYPE=109445&S=0&SHOWALL=0&SUB=0&Temporal=2017&THEME=122&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=|title=Aboriginal Mother Tongue (90), Single and Multiple Mother Tongue Responses (3), Aboriginal Identity (9), Registered or Treaty Indian Status (3) and Age (12) for the Population in Private Households of Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2016 Census – 25% Sample Data |website=Statistics Canada |date=28 March 2018|language=en|access-date=2018-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|[[Kashinawa language|Kashinawa]]
|3,588
|
|Brazil & Peru
|
|-
|[[Munduruku language|Munduruku]]
|3,563
|
|[[Pará]] & [[Amazonas (Brazilian state)|Amazonas]], Brazil
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|[[Uwa language|Tunebo/Uwa]]
|3,550
|[[Boyacá Department|Boyacá]], Colombia
|[[Boyacá Department|Boyacá]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Ayoreo language|Ayoreo]]
|3,160
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia, Paraguay
|
|-
|[[Desano language|Desano]]
|3,160
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia,
|
|-
|[[Wapishana language|Wapishana]]
|3,154
|[[Bonfim, Roraima|'''Bonfim''', Roraima]], Brazil
Guyana
|[[Bonfim, Roraima]], Brazil
Guyana
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Idiomas indígenas Macuxi e Wapixana são oficializados em município de Roraima – Amazônia.org|url=https://amazonia.org.br/2015/05/idiomas-ind%c3%adgenas-macuxi-e-wapixana-s%c3%a3o-oficializados-em-munic%c3%adpio-de-roraima/|access-date=2020-10-26|language=pt-BR|archive-date=2019-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526031909/https://amazonia.org.br/2015/05/idiomas-ind%C3%ADgenas-macuxi-e-wapixana-s%C3%A3o-oficializados-em-munic%C3%ADpio-de-roraima/}}</ref><ref name=":2" />
|-
|[[Yaminawa language|Yaminawa]]
|3,129
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Mocoví language|Mocoví]]
|3,000
|[[Chaco Province|'''Chaco''']], Argentina
|[[Chaco Province|Chaco]], Argentina
|
|-
|[[Inupiaq language|Iñupiaq]]
|3,000
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
'''[[Northwest Territories]]''', Canada
|[[Alaska]], United States & [[Northwest Territories]], Canada
|
|-
|[[Puinave language|Puinave]]
|3,000
|[[Guainía Department|Guainía]], Colombia
'''Venezuela'''
|[[Guainía Department|Guainía]], Colombia & Venezuela
|
|-
|[[Cuiba language|Cuiba]]
|2,900
|Colombia ([[Casanare Department|Casanare]], [[Vichada Department|Vichada]], [[Arauca Department|Arauca]])
|Colombia ([[Casanare Department|Casanare]], [[Vichada Department|Vichada]], [[Arauca Department|Arauca]])
|
|-
|Tupi-Mondé
|2,886
|
|[[Rondônia]], Brazil
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|[[Yuracaré language|Yuracaré]]
|2,700
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Wanano language|Wanano]]
|2,600
|[[Vaupés Department|Vaupés]], Colombia
|[[Vaupés Department|Vaupés]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Shoshoni language|Shoshoni]]
|2,512
|
|US
|
|-
|[[Bora language|Bora]]
|2,400
|[[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas]], Colombia
|[[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Cofán language|Cofán]]
|2,400
|Colombia ([[Nariño Department|Nariño]], [[Putumayo Department|Putumayo]])
|Colombia ([[Nariño Department|Nariño]], [[Putumayo Department|Putumayo]])
|
|-
|[[Kanamarí language|Kanamari]]
|2,298
|
|[[Amazonas (Brazilian state)|Amazonas]], Brazil
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|[[Fox language|Fox (Mesquakie-Sauk-Kickapoo)]]
|2,288
|[[Sac and Fox Nation]], United States
Mexico
|US & Mexico
|
|-
|[[Cherokee language|Cherokee]]
|2,320
|[[Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians]], [[North Carolina]], United States
[[Cherokee Nation|Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma]], United States
|US ([[Oklahoma]] & [[North Carolina]])
|
|-
|[[Waiwai language|Waiwai]]
|2,217
|Guyana
|Brazil, Guyana
|
|-
|[[Karajá language|Karajá]]
|2,137
|
|Brazil
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|[[Huarijio language|Huarijio]]
|2,136
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Slavey language|Slavey]]
|2,120
|'''[[Northwest Territories]]''', Canada
|[[Northwest Territories]], Canada
|
|-
|[[Chichimeca Jonaz language|Chichimeca]]
|2,100
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Koreguaje language|Koreguaje]]
|2,100
|[[Department of Caquetá|Caquetá]], Colombia
|[[Department of Caquetá|Caquetá]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Tiriyó language|Tiriyó]]
|2,100
|
|Brazil, Suriname
|
|-
|[[Xerénte language|Xerente]]
|2,051
|
|[[Tocantins]], Brazil
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|[[Uspantek language|Uspanteko]]
|2,000
|Guatemala
|Guatemala
|
|-
|[[Fulniô language|Fulniô]]
|1,871
|
|[[Pernambuco]], Brazil
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|[[Wariʼ language|Pakaásnovos]] (wari)
|1,854
|
|[[Rondônia]], Brazil
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|[[Wiwa language|Wiwa]]
|1,850
|[[Cesar Department|Cesar]], Colombia
|[[Cesar Department|Cesar]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Weenhayek language|Weenhayek]]
|1,810
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Matlatzinca languages|Matlatzinca]]
|1,800
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Tacana language|Tacana]]
|1,800
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Tłįchǫ Yatiì|Tłı̨chǫ Yatıì]]
|1,735
|'''[[Northwest Territories]]''', Canada
|[[Northwest Territories]], Canada
|
|-
|[[Cavineña language|Cavineña]]
|1,700
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Jupda language|Jupda]]
|1,700
|[[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas]], Colombia
|[[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Zacatepec Mixtec]]
|1,500
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Seneca language|Seneca]]
|1,453
|[[Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation]], [[Ontario]], Canada
|[[Ontario]], Canada
|<ref name="Ethnologue 18th ed., 2015"/>
|-
|[[Movima language|Movima]]
|1,400
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Tlingit language|Tlingit]]
|1,360
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
|[[Alaska]], United States
|
|-
|[[Inuinnaqtun]]
|1,310
|'''[[Nunavut]]''', Canada
'''[[Northwest Territories]]''', Canada
|[[Alaska]], United States & [[Northwest Territories]]& [[Nunavut]], Canada
|
|-
|[[Kiowa language|Kiowa]]
|1,274
|
|[[Oklahoma]], United States
|
|-
|[[Ka'apor language|Ka'apor]]
|1,241
|
|[[Maranhão]], Brazil
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|[[Aleut language|Aleut]]
|1,236
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
|[[Alaska]], United States
|
|-
|[[Gwichʼin language|Gwichʼin]]
|1,217
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
'''[[Northwest Territories]]''', Canada
|[[Alaska]], United States & [[Northwest Territories]], Canada
|
|-
|[[Inuvialuktun]]
|1,150
|'''[[Nunavut]]''', Canada
'''[[Northwest Territories]]''', Canada
|[[Nunavut]], Canada & [[Northwest Territories]], Canada
|
|-
|[[Arapaho language|Arapaho]]
|1,087
|
|US
|
|-
|[[Macuna language|Macuna]]
|1,032
|[[Vaupés Department|Vaupés]], Colombia
|[[Vaupés Department|Vaupés]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Guayabero language|Guayabero]]
|1,000
|Colombia ([[Meta Department|Meta]], [[Guaviare Department|Guaviare]])
|Colombia ([[Meta Department|Meta]], [[Guaviare Department|Guaviare]])
|
|-
|[[Chocho language|Chocho]]
|810
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Maricopa language|Maricopa/Piipaash]]
|800
|[[Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community]], [[Arizona|AZ]], United States
|Arizona, United States
|
|-
|[[Rama language|Rama]]
|740
|'''[[North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region]]''', Nicaragua
|[[North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region]], Nicaragua
|
|-
|[[Seri language|Seri]]
| 729
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://site.inali.gob.mx/Micrositios/estadistica_basica/estadisticas2015/pdf/familias/seri/seri1A.pdf|title=Estadística básica de la población hablante de lenguas indígenas nacionales 2015|website=site.inali.gob.mx|access-date=2020-06-11}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ese Ejja language|Ese Ejja]]
|700
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Nukak language|Nukak]]
|700
|[[Guaviare Department|Guaviare]], Colombia
|[[Guaviare Department|Guaviare]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Pima Bajo language|Pima Bajo]]
|650
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Cayuvava language|Cayuvava]]
|650
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Chácobo language|Chácobo-Pakawara]] 
|600
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Lacandon language|Lacandon]]
|600
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Oneida language|Oneida]]
|574
|[[Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation]], [[Ontario]], Canada
[[Oneida Nation of the Thames]], [[Ontario]], Canada
|Ontario, Canada
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aboriginal Mother Tongue (90), Single and Multiple Mother Tongue Responses (3), Aboriginal Identity (9), Registered or Treaty Indian Status (3) and Age (12) for the Population in Private Households of Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2016 Census – 25% Sample Data|url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/dt-td/Rp-eng.cfm?LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=0&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=0&GC=0&GID=0&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=112132&PRID=10&PTYPE=109445&S=0&SHOWALL=0&SUB=0&Temporal=2017&THEME=122&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=|access-date=2018-06-09|website=Statistics Canada |date=28 March 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in danger|url=http://www.unesco.org/culture/languages-atlas/en/atlasmap/language-id-269.html|access-date=2018-06-09|website=www.unesco.org|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in danger|url=http://www.unesco.org/culture/languages-atlas/en/atlasmap/language-id-1535.html|access-date=2018-06-09|website=www.unesco.org|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Cocopah language|Cocopah]]
|515
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref>Cocopah at ''[[Ethnologue]]'' (19th ed., 2016)
</ref>
|-
|[[Sirionó language|Sirionó]]
|500
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Siona language|Siona]]
|500
|[[Putumayo Department|Putumayo]], Colombia
|[[Putumayo Department|Putumayo]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Havasupai–Hualapai language|Havasupai–Hualapai]]
|445
| [[Havasupai Indian Reservation]], [[Arizona|AZ]], United States
|Arizona, United States
|<ref>Havasupai‑Walapai‑Yavapai at ''[[Ethnologue]]'' (18th ed., 2015)</ref>
|-
|[[Kumeyaay language|Kumeyaay]]
|427 (525 including [[Ipai language|Ipai]] and [[Tiipai language]]s)
|Mexico
* [[Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation]], [[California|CA]], United States (Ballot Recognition)
|[[Baja California]], Mexico & [[California]], United States
|<ref name="ReferenceA">[[INALI]] (2012) ''México: Lenguas indígenas nacionales''</ref><ref>"Kumiai". ''Ethnologue''. Retrieved 2018-04-14.</ref>
|-
|[[Tenetehara language|Tembé]]
|420
|
|[[Maranhão]], Brazil
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|[[Yurok language|Yurok]]
|414
|
|California, United States
|
|-
|[[Alutiiq language|Alutiiq/Sugpiaq]]
|400
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
|[[Alaska]], United States
|
|-
|[[Tatuyo language|Tatuyo]]
|400
|[[Vaupés Department|Vaupés]], Colombia
|[[Vaupés Department|Vaupés]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Andoque language|Andoque]]
|370
|[[Department of Caquetá|Caquetá]], Colombia
|[[Department of Caquetá|Caquetá]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Guajá language|Guajá]]
|365
|
|[[Maranhão]], Brazil
|
|-
|[[Chimila language|Chimila]]
|350
|[[Magdalena Department|Magdalena]], Colombia
|[[Magdalena Department|Magdalena]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Koyukon language|Koyukon]]
|300
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
|[[Alaska]], United States
|
|-
|[[Hitnü language|Hitnü]]
|300
|[[Arauca Department|Arauca]], Colombia
|[[Arauca Department|Arauca]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Mikasuki language|Mikasuki]]
| 290
|
|United States ([[Florida]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] (Historical), [[Alabama]] (Historical), [[Oklahoma]] (Historical)
|<ref name="Ethnologue 21st ed., 2018"/>
|-
|[[Quechan language|Quechan]]
|290
|
* [[Imperial County, California|Imperial County]], [[California|CA]], United States (Ballot Recognition)
* [[Yuma County, Arizona|Yuma County]], [[Arizona|AZ]], United States (Ballot Recognition)
|California & Arizona, United States
|<ref>Quechan at ''[[Ethnologue]]'' (19th ed., 2016)</ref>
|-
|[[Cabiyari language|Cabiyari]]
|270
|Colombia ([[Mirití-Paraná]] & [[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas)]]
|Colombia ([[Mirití-Paraná]] & [[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas)]]
|
|-
|[[Reyesano language|Reyesano]]
|250
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Achawa language|Achagua]]
|250
|[[Meta Department|Meta]], Colombia
|[[Meta Department|Meta]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Kakwa language|Kakwa]]
|250
|[[Vaupés Department|Vaupés]], Colombia
|[[Vaupés Department|Vaupés]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Yavapai language|Yavapai]]
|245
|
|[[Arizona]], United States
|<ref>Yavapai at ''[[Ethnologue]]'' (19th ed., 2016)</ref>
|-
|[[Siriano language|Siriano]]
|220
|[[Vaupés Department|Vaupés]], Colombia
|[[Vaupés Department|Vaupés]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Mojave language|Mojave]]
|200
|
|[[Arizona]], United States
|<ref>Mojave language at ''[[Ethnologue]]'' (18th ed., 2015)</ref>
|-
|[[Paipai language|Paipai]]
|200
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
|-
|[[Toromono language|Toromono]]
|200
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Ixcatec language|Ixcatec]]
|190
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Ocaina language|Ocaina]]
|190
|[[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas]], Colombia
|[[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Haida language|Haida]]
|168
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
'''[[Council of the Haida Nation]]''', Canada
|Alaska, United States and British Columbia, Canada
|
|-
|[[Muinane language|Muinane]]
|150
|[[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas]], Colombia
|[[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas]], Colombia
|
|-
|[[Deg Xinag language|Deg Xinag]]
|127
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
|Alaska, United States
|
|-
|[[Warázu language|Warázu]]
|125
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Araona language|Araona]]
|110
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Upper Tanana language|Upper Tanana]]
|100
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
|Alaska, United States
|
|-
|[[Itene language|Itene]]
|90
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Ahtna language|Ahtna]]
|80
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
|Alaska, United States
|
|-
|[[Tsimshianic languages|Tsimshian]]
|70
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
|Alaska, United States
|
|-
|[[Tanacross language|Tanacross]]
|65
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
|Alaska, United States
|
|-
|[[Cayuga language|Cayuga]]
| 61
|[[Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation]], [[Ontario]], Canada
[[Cattaraugus Reservation]], [[New York (state)|New York]], United States
|Ontario, Canada, and New York, United States
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/lang/Table.cfm?Lang=E&T=41&Geo=01|title=Language Highlight Tables, 2016 Census – Aboriginal mother tongue, Aboriginal language spoken most often at home and Other Aboriginal language(s) spoken regularly at home for the population excluding institutional residents of Canada, provinces and territories, 2016 Census – 100% Data|publisher=Government of Canada|website=www12.statcan.gc.ca|date=2 August 2017|language=en|access-date=2017-11-23}}</ref>
|-
|[[Denaʼina language|Denaʼina]]
|50
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
|Alaska, United States
|
|-
|[[Onondaga language|Onondaga]]
| 50
|[[Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation]], [[Ontario|ON]], Canada
|Ontario, Canada
|<ref name="Ethnologue 18th ed., 2015"/>
|-
|[[Baure language|Bauré]]
|40
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Upper Kuskokwim language|Upper Kuskokwim]]
|40
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
|Alaska, United States
|
|-
|[[Tanana Athabaskans|Tanana]]
|30
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
|Alaska, United States
|
|-
|[[Ayapaneco]]
|24
|Mexico
|Mexico
|<ref name="auto1"/>
|-
|[[Leco language|Leco]]
|20
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Xincan languages|Xincan]]
|16
|Guatemala
|Guatemala
|
|-
|[[Hän language|Hän]]
|12
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
|Alaska, United States
|
|-
|[[Holikachuk language|Holikachuk]]
|12
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States
|Alaska, United States
|
|-
|[[Comanche language|Comanche]]
|9
|
|US
|
|-
|[[Carijona language|Carijona]]
|6
|Colombia ([[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas]], [[Guaviare Department|Guaviare]])
|Colombia ([[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas]], [[Guaviare Department|Guaviare]])
|
|-
|[[Itonama language|Itonama]]
|5
|'''Bolivia'''
|Bolivia
|
|-
|[[Kiliwa language|Kiliwa]]
|4
|Mexico
|Mexico
|
|-
|[[Selkʼnam language|Selkʼnam]]
|1
|
|[[Tierra del Fuego]], Chile/Argentina (Extinct)
|<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Thurman |first1=Judith |title=A loss for words: Can a dying language be saved? |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/03/30/a-loss-for-words |access-date=15 October 2022 |magazine=The New Yorker |date=23 March 2015 |publisher=Condé Nast}}</ref>
|-
|[[Nonuya language|Nonuya]]
|0
|[[Amazonas (Colombian department)|Amazonas]], Colombia
|Colombia, Peru
|
|-
|[[Yahgan language|Yahgan]]
|0
|
|Tierra del Fuego, Chile/Argentina (Extinct)
|
|-
|[[Taíno language]]s
|0
|
|Formerly all of the Caribbean
|
|-
|[[Cochimí language|Cochimí]]
|0
|Mexico (Extinct, but retains recognition)
|
|
|-
|[[Kallawaya language|Kallawaya]]
|0
|'''Bolivia''' (Extinct, but retains recognition)
|
|
|-
|[[Eyak language|Eyak]]
|0
|'''[[Alaska]]''', United States (Extinct, but retains recognition)
|
|
|-
|[[Tuscarora language|Tuscarora]]
| 0
|[[Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation]], [[Ontario, Canada]]<br />[[Tuscarora Reservation]], [[New York (state)|New York]], United States
|Ontario, Canada, and New York, United States
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/culture/languages-atlas/en/atlasmap/language-id-279.html|title=UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in danger|website=www.unesco.org|language=en|access-date=2018-05-20}}</ref>
|}

==Language families and unclassified languages==
{{Further|Classification of indigenous languages of the Americas}}

'''Notes''':
* [[Extinct language]]s or families are indicated by:  ''†''.
* The number of family members is indicated in parentheses (for example, Arauan (9) means the Arauan family consists of nine languages).
* For convenience, the following list of language families is divided into three sections based on political boundaries of countries. These sections correspond roughly with the geographic regions (North, Central, and South America) but are not equivalent. This division cannot fully delineate Indigenous culture areas.

==={{anchor|Greenland.2C_Canada_.26_USA}}Northern America===
{{Infobox language family
| name          = Indigenous languages of North America
| familycolor   = american
| iso2          = nai
| acceptance    = geographic
| family        = Not a family
| region        = [[North America]]
| glotto        = none
| ethnicity     = [[Indigenous peoples of North America]]
| children      = 52 distinct families
| map           = Langs N.Amer.svg
| mapcaption    = Pre-contact distribution of North American language families, including northern Mexico
}}
[[File:Cherokee stop sign.png|thumb|right|upright=0.7|[[Bilingual]] stop sign in [[English language|English]] and the [[Cherokee syllabary]] (transcription: [[wiktionary:ᎠᎴᏫᏍᏗᎭ|ᎠᎴᏫᏍᏗᎭ]] – "alehwisdiha"), [[Tahlequah, Oklahoma]]]]

There are approximately 296 spoken (or formerly spoken) Indigenous languages north of Mexico, 269 of which are grouped into 29 families (the remaining 27 languages are either isolates or unclassified).{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} The [[Na-Dené languages|Na-Dené]], [[Algic languages|Algic]], and [[Uto-Aztecan languages|Uto-Aztecan]] families are the largest in terms of number of languages. Uto-Aztecan has the most speakers (1.95 million) if the languages in Mexico are considered (mostly due to 1.5 million speakers of [[Nahuatl]]); Na-Dené comes in second with approximately 200,000 speakers (nearly 180,000 of these are speakers of [[Navajo language|Navajo]]), and Algic in third with about 180,000 speakers (mainly [[Cree language|Cree]] and [[Ojibwe language|Ojibwe]]). Na-Dené and Algic have the widest geographic distributions: Algic currently spans from northeastern Canada across much of the continent down to northeastern Mexico (due to later migrations of the [[Kickapoo people|Kickapoo]]) with two outliers in [[California]] ([[Yurok language|Yurok]] and [[Wiyot language|Wiyot]]); Na-Dené spans from Alaska and western Canada through [[Washington (state)|Washington]], [[Oregon]], and California to the [[Southwestern United States|U.S. Southwest]] and northern Mexico (with one outlier in the Plains). Several families consist of only 2 or 3 languages. Demonstrating genetic relationships has proved difficult due to the great linguistic diversity present in North America. Two large (super-)family proposals, [[Penutian languages|Penutian]] and [[Hokan languages|Hokan]], look particularly promising. However, even after decades of research, a large number of families remain.

North America is notable for its linguistic diversity, especially in California. This area has 18 language families comprising 74 languages (compared to two indigenous families in Europe: [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] and [[Uralic languages|Uralic]], and one isolate, [[Basque language|Basque]]).<ref>If the [[Caucasus]] is considered to be a part of Europe, [[Northwest Caucasian languages|Northwest Caucasian]], [[Northeast Caucasian languages|Northeast Caucasian]] and [[Kartvelian languages|Kartvelian]] would be included, resulting in five language families within Europe. Other language families, such as the [[Turkic languages|Turkic]], [[Mongolic languages|Mongolic]] and [[Afroasiatic languages|Afroasiatic]] families, have entered Europe in later migrations.</ref>

Another area of considerable diversity appears to have been the [[Southeastern Woodlands]];{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} however, many of these languages became extinct from European contact and as a result they are, for the most part, absent from the historical record.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} This diversity has influenced the development of linguistic theories and practice in the US.

Due to the diversity of languages in North America, it is difficult to make generalizations for the region. Most North American languages have a relatively small number of vowels (i.e. three to five vowels). Languages of the western half of North America often have relatively large consonant inventories. The languages of the [[Pacific Northwest]] are notable for their complex [[phonotactics]] (for example, some languages have words that lack [[vowel]]s entirely).<ref>Nater 1984, pg. 5</ref> The languages of the [[Interior Plateau|Plateau]] area have relatively rare [[pharyngeal consonant|pharyngeals and epiglottals]] (they are otherwise restricted to [[Afroasiatic languages]] and the [[languages of the Caucasus]]). [[Ejective consonant]]s are also common in western North America, although they are rare elsewhere (except, again, for the [[Caucasus]] region, parts of Africa, and the [[Mayan languages|Mayan]] family).

[[Head-marking language|Head-marking]] is found in many languages of North America (as well as in Central and South America), but outside of the Americas it is rare. Many languages throughout North America are [[polysynthetic language|polysynthetic]] ([[Eskaleut languages]] are extreme examples), although this is not characteristic of all North American languages (contrary to what was believed by 19th-century linguists). Several families have unique traits, such as the [[Grammatical number#Inverse number|inverse number]] marking of the [[Tanoan languages]], the lexical [[affix]]es of the [[Wakashan languages|Wakashan]], [[Salishan languages|Salishan]] and [[Chimakuan languages]], and the unusual verb structure of Na-Dené.

The classification below is a composite of Goddard (1996), Campbell (1997), and [[Marianne Mithun|Mithun]] (1999).

{{see also|List of unclassified languages of North America}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Adai language|Adai]] ''†''
* [[Algic languages|Algic]] (30)
* [[Alsea language|Alsea]] (2) ''†''
* [[Atakapa language|Atakapa]] ''†''
* [[Beothuk language|Beothuk]] ''†''
* [[Caddoan languages|Caddoan]] (5)
* [[Cayuse language|Cayuse]] ''†''
* [[Chimakuan languages|Chimakuan]] (2) ''†''
* [[Chimariko language|Chimariko]] ''†''
* [[Chinookan languages|Chinookan]] (3) ''†''
* [[Chitimacha language|Chitimacha]] ''†''
* [[Chumashan languages|Chumashan]] (6) ''†''
* [[Coahuilteco language|Coahuilteco]] ''†''
* [[Comecrudan languages|Comecrudan]] (United States & Mexico) (3) ''†''
* [[Coosan languages|Coosan]] (2) ''†''
* [[Cotoname language|Cotoname]] ''†''
* [[Eskaleut languages|Eskaleut]] (7)
* [[Esselen language|Esselen]] ''†''
* [[Haida language|Haida]]
* [[Iroquoian languages|Iroquoian]] (11)
* [[Kalapuyan languages|Kalapuyan]] (3) ''†''
* [[Karankawa language|Karankawa]] ''†''
* [[Karuk language|Karuk]]
* [[Keresan languages|Keresan]] (2)
* [[Kutenai language|Kutenai]]
* [[Maiduan languages|Maiduan]] (4)
* [[Muskogean languages|Muskogean]] (9)
* [[Na-Dene languages|Na-Dené]] (United States, Canada & Mexico) (39)
* [[Natchez language|Natchez]] ''†''
* [[Palaihnihan languages|Palaihnihan]] (2) ''†''
* [[Plateau Penutian languages|Plateau Penutian]]  (4) {{small|(also known as Shahapwailutan)}}
* [[Pomoan languages|Pomoan]] (7)
* [[Salinan language|Salinan]] ''†''
* [[Salishan languages|Salishan]] (23)
* [[Shastan languages|Shastan]] (4) ''†''
* [[Siouan languages|Siouan]] (19)
* [[Siuslaw language|Siuslaw]] ''†''
* [[Solano language|Solano]] ''†''
* [[Takelma language|Takelma]] ''†''
* [[Tanoan languages|Tanoan]] (7)
* [[Timucua language|Timucua]] ''†''
* [[Tonkawa language|Tonkawa]] ''†''
* [[Tsimshianic languages|Tsimshianic]] (2)
* [[Tunica language|Tunica]] ''†''
* [[Utian languages|Utian]] (15) {{small|(also known as Miwok–Costanoan)}}
* [[Uto-Aztecan languages|Uto-Aztecan]] (33)
* [[Wakashan languages|Wakashan]] (7)
* [[Wappo language|Wappo]] ''†''
* [[Washo language|Washo]]
* [[Wintuan languages|Wintuan]] (4)
* [[Yana language|Yana]] ''†''
* [[Yokutsan languages|Yokutsan]] (3)
* [[Yuchi language|Yuchi]] ''†''
* [[Yuki language|Yuki]] ''†''
* [[Yuman–Cochimí languages|Yuman–Cochimí]] (11)
* [[Zuni language|Zuni]]
{{div col end}}

===Central America and Mexico===
[[File:Pre-contact distribution language families Mexico.svg|thumb|Pre-contact distribution of native American languages in New Spain (Mexico, United States southwest, Central America).]]
[[File:Map of the languages of Mexico.png|thumb|The Indigenous languages of Mexico that have more than 100,000 speakers today.]]
[[File:Chibcha lang.png|thumb|The [[Chibchan languages]]]]

In Central America the Mayan languages are among those used today. Mayan languages are spoken by at least six million Indigenous Maya, primarily in Guatemala, Mexico, Belize and Honduras. In 1996, Guatemala formally recognized 21 Mayan languages by name, and Mexico recognizes eight more. The Mayan language family is one of the best documented and most studied in the Americas. Modern Mayan languages descend from Proto-Mayan, a language thought to have been spoken at least 4,000 years ago; it has been partially reconstructed using the comparative method. {{See also|Mesoamerican languages}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Alaguilac language|Alagüilac]] ''(Guatemala)'' ''†''
* [[Chibchan languages|Chibchan]] ([[Central America]] & South America) (22)
* [[Coahuilteco language|Coahuilteco]] ''†''
* [[Comecrudan languages|Comecrudan]] ([[Texas]] & Mexico) (3) ''†''
* [[Cotoname language|Cotoname]] ''†''
* [[Cuitlatec language|Cuitlatec]] ''(Mexico: Guerrero)'' ''†''
* [[Epi-Olmec language|Epi-Olmec]] ''(Mexico: language of undeciphered inscriptions)'' ''†''
* [[Guaicurian languages|Guaicurian]]  (8) ''†''
* [[Huave languages|Huave]]
* [[Jicaque languages|Jicaquean]] (2)
* [[Lenca language|Lencan]] (2) ''†''
* [[Maratino language|Maratino]] ''(northeastern Mexico)'' ''†''
* [[Mayan languages|Mayan]] (31)
* [[Misumalpan languages|Misumalpan]] (5)
* [[Mixe–Zoquean languages|Mixe–Zoquean]] (19)
* [[Naolan language|Naolan]] ''(Mexico: Tamaulipas)'' ''†''
* [[Oto-Manguean languages|Oto-Manguean]] (27)
* [[Pericú language|Pericú]] ''†''
* [[Purépecha language|Purépecha]]
* [[Quinigua language|Quinigua]] ''(northeast Mexico)'' ''†''
* [[Seri language|Seri]]
* [[Solano language|Solano]] ''†''
* [[Tequistlatecan languages|Tequistlatecan]] (3)
* [[Totonacan languages|Totonacan]] (2)
* [[Uto-Aztecan languages|Uto-Aztecan]] (United States & Mexico) (33)
* [[Xincan languages|Xincan]] (5) ''†''
* [[Yuman languages|Yuman]] (United States & Mexico) (11)
{{div col end}}{{Infobox language family
| name          = Indigenous languages of South America
| familycolor   = american
| iso2          = sai
| acceptance    = geographic
| family        = Not a family
| region        = [[South America]]
| glotto        = none
| ethnicity     = [[Indigenous peoples of North America]]
| children      = Over 100 distinct families
| map           = File:SouthAmerican_families.png
| mapcaption    = Pre-contact distribution of major South American language families, excluding Quechuan and Aymaran
}}

=== South America and the Caribbean ===
{{Main|Indigenous languages of South America}}
[[File:SouthAmerican families 03.png|thumb|Some of the greater families of South America: dark spots are language isolates or quasi-isolate, grey spots unclassified languages or languages with doubtful classification. (Note that Quechua, the family with most speakers, is not displayed.)]]
[[File:Urarina shaman B Dean.jpg|thumb|A [[Urarina people|Urarina]] [[shaman]], 1988]]

Although both North and [[Central America]] are very diverse areas, South America has a linguistic diversity rivalled by only a few other places in the world with approximately 350 languages still spoken and several hundred more spoken at first contact but now extinct. The situation of language documentation and classification into genetic families is not as advanced as in North America (which is relatively well studied in many areas). Kaufman (1994: 46) gives the following appraisal:

<blockquote>
Since the mid 1950s, the amount of published material on SA [South America] has been gradually growing, but even so, the number of researchers is far smaller than the growing number of linguistic communities whose speech should be documented. Given the current employment opportunities, it is not likely that the number of specialists in SA Indian languages will increase fast enough to document most of the surviving SA languages before they go out of use, as most of them unavoidably will. More work languishes in personal files than is published, but this is a standard problem.

It is fair to say that SA and [[New Guinea]] are linguistically the poorest documented parts of the world. However, in the early 1960s fairly systematic efforts were launched in [[Papua New Guinea]], and that area{{spaced ndash}}much smaller than SA, to be sure{{spaced ndash}}is in general much better documented than any part of Indigenous SA of comparable size.
</blockquote>

As a result, many relationships between languages and language families have not been determined and some of those relationships that have been proposed are on somewhat shaky ground.

The list of language families, isolates, and unclassified languages below is a rather conservative one based on Campbell (1997). Many of the proposed (and often speculative) groupings of families can be seen in Campbell (1997), Gordon (2005), Kaufman (1990, 1994), Key (1979), Loukotka (1968), and in the [[#Language stock proposals|Language stock proposals]] section below.

{{see also|List of unclassified languages of South America}}
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Aguano language|Aguano]] ''†''
* [[Aikana language|Aikaná]] ''(Brazil: Rondônia)'' {{small|(also known as Aikanã, Tubarão)}}
* [[Andaquí language|Andaquí]] {{small|(also known as Andaqui, Andakí)}} ''†''
* [[Andoque language|Andoque]] ''(Colombia, Peru)'' {{small|(also known as Andoke)}}
* [[Andoquero language|Andoquero]] ''†''
* [[Arawan languages|Arauan]]  (9)
* [[Maipurean languages|Arawakan]] (South America & Caribbean) (64) {{small|(also known as Maipurean)}}
* [[Arutani language|Arutani]]
* [[Aymaran languages|Aymaran]]  (3)
* [[Baenan language|Baenan]] ''(Brazil: Bahia)'' {{small|(also known as Baenán, Baenã)}} ''†''
* [[Barbacoan languages|Barbacoan]] (8)
* [[Betoi language|Betoi]] ''(Colombia)'' {{small|(also known as Betoy, Jirara)}} ''†''
* [[Bororoan languages|Bororoan]]
* [[Botocudoan languages|Botocudoan]]  (3) {{small|(also known as Aimoré)}}
* [[Cahuapanan languages|Cahuapanan]]  (2) {{small|(also known as Jebero, Kawapánan)}}
* [[Camsá language|Camsá]] ''(Colombia)'' {{small|(also known as Sibundoy, Coche)}}
* [[Candoshi language|Candoshi]] {{small|(also known as Maina, Kandoshi)}}
* [[Canichana language|Canichana]] ''(Bolivia)'' {{small|(also known as Canesi, Kanichana)}}
* [[Carabayo language|Carabayo]]
* [[Cariban languages|Cariban]]  (29) {{small|(also known as Caribe, Carib)}}
* [[Catacaoan languages|Catacaoan]] {{small|(also known as Katakáoan)}} ''†''
* [[Cayubaba language|Cayubaba]] ''(Bolivia)''
* [[Chapacuran languages|Chapacuran]]  (9) {{small|(also known as Chapacura-Wanham, Txapakúran)}}
* [[Charruan languages|Charruan]] {{small|(also known as Charrúan)}} ''†''
* [[Chibchan languages|Chibchan]] (Central America & South America) (22)
* [[Chimuan languages|Chimuan]] (3) ''†''
* [[Chipaya–Uru languages|Chipaya–Uru]] {{small|(also known as Uru–Chipaya)}}
* [[Chiquitano language|Chiquitano]]
* [[Choco languages|Choco]]  (10) {{small|(also known as Chocoan)}}
* [[Chon languages|Chon]]  (2) {{small|(also known as Patagonian)}} ''†''
* [[Chono language|Chono]] ''†''
* [[Coeruna language|Coeruna]] ''(Brazil)'' ''†''
* [[Cofán language|Cofán]] ''(Colombia, Ecuador)''
* [[Cueva language|Cueva]] ''†''
* [[Culle language|Culle]] ''(Peru)'' {{small|(also known as Culli, Linga, Kulyi)}} ''†''
* [[Cunza language|Cunza]] ''(Chile, Bolivia, Argentina)'' {{small|(also known as Atacama, Atakama, Atacameño, Lipe, Kunsa)}} ''†''
* [[Esmeraldeño language|Esmeraldeño]] {{small|(also known as Esmeralda, Takame)}} ''†''
* [[Fulnió language|Fulnió]]
* [[Gamela language|Gamela]] ''(Brazil: Maranhão)'' ''†''
* [[Gorgotoqui language|Gorgotoqui]] ''(Bolivia)'' ''†''
* [[Guaicuruan languages|Guaicuruan]] (7) {{small|(also known as Guaykuruan, Waikurúan)}}
* [[Guajiboan languages|Guajiboan]] (4) {{small|(also known as Wahívoan)}}
* [[Guamo language|Guamo]] ''(Venezuela)'' {{small|(also known as Wamo)}} ''†''
* [[Guató language|Guató]]
* [[Harakmbut languages|Harakmbut]]  (2) {{small|(also known as Tuyoneri)}}
* [[Hibito–Cholon languages|Hibito–Cholon]] ''†''
* [[Himarimã language|Himarimã]]
* [[Hodï language|Hodï]] ''(Venezuela)'' {{small|(also known as Jotí, Hoti, Waruwaru)}}
* [[Huamoé language|Huamoé]] ''(Brazil: Pernambuco)'' ''†''
* [[Huaorani language|Huaorani]] ''(Ecuador, Peru)'' {{small|(also known as Auca, Huaorani, Wao, Auka, Sabela, Waorani, Waodani)}}
* [[Huarpe language|Huarpe]] {{small|(also known as Warpe)}} ''†''
* [[Irantxe language|Irantxe]] ''(Brazil: Mato Grosso)''
* [[Itonama language|Itonama]] ''(Bolivia)'' {{small|(also known as Saramo, Machoto)}}
* [[Jabutian languages|Jabutian]]
* [[Je languages|Je]] (13) {{small|(also known as Gê, Jêan, Gêan, Ye)}}
* [[Jeikó language|Jeikó]] ''†''
* [[Jirajaran languages|Jirajaran]] (3) {{small|(also known as Hiraháran, Jirajarano, Jirajarana)}} ''†''
* [[Jivaroan languages|Jivaroan]]  (2) {{small|(also known as Hívaro)}}
* [[Kaimbe language|Kaimbe]] ''†''
* [[Kaliana language|Kaliana]] {{small|(also known as Caliana, Cariana, Sapé, Chirichano)}} ''†''
* [[Kamakanan languages|Kamakanan]] ''†''
* [[Kapixaná language|Kapixaná]] ''(Brazil: Rondônia)'' {{small|(also known as Kanoé, Kapishaná)}}
* [[Karajá language|Karajá]]
* [[Kariri languages|Karirí]] ''(Brazil: Paraíba, Pernambuco, Ceará)'' ''†''
* [[Katembrí language|Katembrí]] ''†''
* [[Katukinan languages|Katukinan]]  (3) {{small|(also known as Catuquinan)}}
* [[Kawésqar language|Kawésqar]] ''(Chile)'' {{small|(Kaweskar, Alacaluf, Qawasqar, Halawalip, Aksaná, Hekaine)}}
* [[Kwaza language|Kwaza]] (Koayá) ''(Brazil: Rondônia)''
* [[Leco language|Leco]] {{small|(Lapalapa, Leko)}}
* [[Lule language|Lule]] ''(Argentina)'' {{small|(also known as Tonocoté)}}
* [[Máku language|Máku]] {{small|(Maku of Auari)}} ''†''
* [[Malibu languages|Malibú]] {{small|(also known as Malibu)}} ''†''
* [[Mapudungun]] ''(Chile, Argentina)'' {{small|(also known as Araucanian, Mapuche, Huilliche)}}
* [[Mascoyan languages|Mascoyan]]  (5) {{small|(also known as Maskóian, Mascoian)}}
* [[Matacoan languages|Matacoan]]  (4) {{small|(also known as Mataguayan)}}
* [[Matanawí language|Matanawí]] ''†''
* [[Maxakalían languages|Maxakalían]] (3) {{small|(also known as Mashakalían)}}
* [[Mocana language|Mocana]] ''(Colombia: Tubará)'' ''†''
* [[Mosetenan languages|Mosetenan]] {{small|(also known as Mosetén)}}
* [[Movima language|Movima]] ''(Bolivia)''
* [[Munichi language|Munichi]] ''(Peru)'' {{small|(also known as Muniche)}} ''†''
* [[Muran languages|Muran]]  (4)
* [[Mutú language|Mutú]] {{small|(also known as Loco)}}
* [[Nadahup languages|Nadahup]] (5)
* [[Nambiquaran languages|Nambiquaran]]  (5)
* [[Natú language|Natú]] ''(Brazil: Pernambuco)'' ''†''
* [[Nonuya language|Nonuya]] ''(Peru, Colombia)''
* [[Ofayé language|Ofayé]]
* [[Old Catío–Nutabe language|Old Catío–Nutabe]] ''(Colombia)'' ''†''
* [[Omurano language|Omurano]] ''(Peru)'' {{small|(also known as Mayna, Mumurana, Numurana, Maina, Rimachu, Roamaina, Umurano)}} ''†''
* [[Otí language|Otí]] ''(Brazil: São Paulo)'' ''†''
* [[Otomakoan languages|Otomakoan]] (2) ''†''
* [[Páez language|Paez]] (also known as Nasa Yuwe)
* [[Palta language|Palta]] ''†''
* [[Pankararú language|Pankararú]] ''(Brazil: Pernambuco)'' ''†''
* [[Pano–Tacanan languages|Pano–Tacanan]]  (33)
* [[Panzaleo language|Panzaleo]] ''(Ecuador)'' {{small|(also known as Latacunga, Quito, Pansaleo)}} ''†''
* [[Patagon language (Peru)|Patagon]] ''†'' ''(Peru)''
* [[Peba–Yaguan languages|Peba–Yaguan]]  (2) {{small|(also known as Yaguan, Yáwan, Peban)}} 
* [[Pijao language|Pijao]]†
* [[Pre-Arawakan languages of the Greater Antilles]] ([[Guanahatabey language|Guanahatabey]], [[Macorix language|Macorix]], [[Ciguayo language|Ciguayo]])  ''†'' ''(Cuba, Hispaniola)'' 
* [[Puelche language|Puelche]] ''(Chile)'' {{small|(also known as Guenaken, Gennaken, Pampa, Pehuenche, Ranquelche)}} ''†''
* [[Puinave language|Puinave]] {{small|(also known as Makú)}}
* [[Puquina language|Puquina]] ''(Bolivia)'' ''†''
* [[Purian languages|Purian]] (2) ''†''
* [[Quechuan languages|Quechuan]]  (46)
* [[Rikbaktsá language|Rikbaktsá]]
* [[Saliban languages|Saliban]]  (2) {{small|(also known as Sálivan)}}
* [[Sechura language|Sechura]] {{small|(Atalan, Sec)}} ''†''
* [[Tabancale language|Tabancale]] ''†'' ''(Peru)''
* [[Tairona language|Tairona]] ''(Colombia)'' ''†''
* [[Tarairiú language|Tarairiú]] ''(Brazil: Rio Grande do Norte)'' ''†''
* [[Taruma language|Taruma]] ''†''
* [[Taushiro language|Taushiro]] ''(Peru)'' {{small|(also known as Pinchi, Pinche)}}
* [[Tequiraca language|Tequiraca]] ''(Peru)'' {{small|(also known as Tekiraka, Avishiri)}} ''†''
* [[Teushen language|Teushen]] ''†'' ''(Patagonia, Argentina)''
* [[Ticuna language|Ticuna]] ''(Colombia, Peru, Brazil)'' {{small|(also known as Magta, Tikuna, Tucuna, Tukna, Tukuna)}}
* [[Timotean languages|Timotean]] (2) ''†''
* [[Tiniguan languages|Tiniguan]] (2) {{small|(also known as Tiníwan, Pamiguan)}} ''†''
* [[Trumai language|Trumai]] ''(Brazil: Xingu, Mato Grosso)''
* [[Tucanoan languages|Tucanoan]]  (15)
* [[Tupian languages|Tupian]]  (70, including Guaraní)
* [[Tuxá language|Tuxá]] ''(Brazil: Bahia, Pernambuco)'' ''†''
* [[Urarina language|Urarina]] {{small|(also known as Shimacu, Itukale, Shimaku)}}
* [[Vilela language|Vilela]]
* [[Wakona language|Wakona]] ''†''
* [[Warao language|Warao]] ''(Guyana, Surinam, Venezuela)'' {{small|(also known as Guarao)}}
* [[Witotoan languages|Witotoan]]  (6) {{small|(also known as Huitotoan, Bora–Witótoan)}}
* [[Xokó language|Xokó]] ''(Brazil: Alagoas, Pernambuco)'' {{small|(also known as Shokó)}} ''†''
* [[Xukurú language|Xukurú]] ''(Brazil: Pernambuco, Paraíba)'' ''†''
* [[Yaghan language|Yaghan]] ''(Chile)'' {{small|(also known as Yámana)}} ''†''
* [[Yanomaman languages|Yanomaman]]  (4)
* [[Yaruro language|Yaruro]] {{small|(also known as Jaruro)}}
* [[Yuracare language|Yuracare]] ''(Bolivia)''
* [[Yuri language (South America)|Yuri]] ''(Colombia, Brazil)'' {{small|(also known as Carabayo, Jurí)}} ''†''
* [[Yurumanguí language|Yurumanguí]] ''(Colombia)'' {{small|(also known as Yurimangui, Yurimangi)}} ''†''
* [[Zamucoan languages|Zamucoan]]  (2)
* [[Zaparoan languages|Zaparoan]]  (5) {{small|(also known as Záparo)}}
{{div col end}}

==Language stock proposals==
<!-- This section is linked from [[Indigenous languages of the Americas]] -->
{{Main|Classification of indigenous languages of the Americas}}

Hypothetical language-family proposals of American languages are often cited as uncontroversial in popular writing. However, many of these proposals have not been fully demonstrated, or even demonstrated at all. Some proposals are viewed by specialists in a favorable light, believing that genetic relationships are very likely to be established in the future (for example, the [[Penutian languages|Penutian]] stock). Other proposals are more controversial with many linguists believing that some genetic relationships of a proposal may be demonstrated but much of it undemonstrated (for example, [[Hokan–Siouan]], which, incidentally, [[Edward Sapir]] called his "wastepaper basket stock").<ref>Ruhlen, Merritt. (1991 [1987]). ''A Guide to the World's Languages Volume 1: Classification'', p.216. Edward Arnold. Paperback: {{ISBN|0-340-56186-6}}.</ref> Still other proposals are almost unanimously rejected by specialists (for example, [[Amerind languages|Amerind]]). Below is a (partial) list of some such proposals:

{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Algonquian–Wakashan]] &nbsp; {{small|''(also known as Almosan)''}}
* [[Almosan–Keresiouan]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Almosan + Keresiouan)''}}
* [[Amerind languages|Amerind]] &nbsp; {{small|''(all languages excepting Eskaleut & Na-Dené)''}}
* [[Algonkian–Gulf]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Algic + Beothuk + Gulf)''}}
* (macro-)[[Arawakan]]
* [[Arutani–Sape languages|Arutani–Sape]] {{small|''(Ahuaque–Kalianan)''}}
* [[Aztec–Tanoan]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Uto-Aztecan + Tanoan)''}}
* [[Chibchan–Paezan]]
* [[Chikitano–Boróroan]]
* [[Chimu–Chipaya]]
* [[Coahuiltecan]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Coahuilteco + Cotoname + Comecrudan + Karankawa + Tonkawa)''}}
* [[Cunza–Kapixanan]]
* [[Dené–Caucasian languages|Dené–Caucasian]]
* [[Dené–Yeniseian languages|Dené–Yeniseian]]
* [[Esmeralda–Yaruro languages|Esmeralda–Yaruroan]]
* [[Ge–Pano–Carib]]
* [[Guamo–Chapacuran]]
* [[Gulf languages|Gulf]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Muskogean + Natchez + Tunica)''}}
* [[Hibito–Cholon languages|Macro-Kulyi–Cholónan]]
* [[Hokan languages|Hokan]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Karok + Chimariko + Shastan + Palaihnihan + Yana + Pomoan + Washo + Esselen + Yuman + Salinan + Chumashan + Seri +  Tequistlatecan)''}}
* [[Hokan–Siouan]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Hokan + Keresiouan + Subtiaba–Tlappanec + Coahuiltecan + Yukian + Tunican + Natchez + Muskogean + Timucua)''}}
* [[Je–Tupi–Carib]]
* [[Jivaroan–Cahuapanan]]
* [[Kalianan]]
* [[Kandoshi–Omurano–Taushiro]]
* [[Katembri–Taruma languages|(Macro-)Katembri–Taruma]]
* [[Kaweskar language area]]
* [[Keresiouan]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Macro-Siouan + Keresan + Yuchi)''}}
* [[Lule–Vilela languages|Lule–Vilelan]]
* [[Macro-Andean]]
* [[Macro-Carib]]
* [[Macro-Chibchan languages|Macro-Chibchan]]
* [[Macro-Gê]] &nbsp; {{small|''(also known as Macro-Jê)''}}
* [[Macro-Jibaro]]
* [[Macro-Lekoan]]
* [[Macro-Mayan]]
* [[Macro-Otomákoan]]
* [[Macro-Paesan]]
* [[Macro-Panoan]]
* [[Macro-Puinavean]]
* [[Macro-Siouan languages|Macro-Siouan]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Siouan + Iroquoian + Caddoan)''}}
* [[Macro-Tucanoan]]
* [[Macro-Tupí–Karibe]]
* [[Macro-Waikurúan]]
* [[Macro-Warpean languages|Macro-Warpean]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Muran + Matanawi + Huarpe)''}}
* [[Mataco–Guaicuru languages|Mataco–Guaicuru]]
* [[Mosan languages|Mosan]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Salishan + Wakashan + Chimakuan)''}}
* [[Mosetén–Chonan languages|Mosetén–Chonan]]
* [[Mura–Matanawian languages|Mura–Matanawian]]
* Sapir's [[Na-Dene languages|Na-Dené]] including [[Haida people|Haida]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Haida + Tlingit + Eyak + Athabaskan)''}}
* [[Nostratic–Amerind]]
* [[Paezan languages|Paezan]] {{small|''(Andaqui + Paez + Panzaleo)''}}
* [[Paezan–Barbacoan languages|Paezan–Barbacoan]]
* [[Penutian languages|Penutian]] &nbsp; {{small|''(many languages of California and sometimes languages in Mexico)''}}
**California Penutian &nbsp; {{small|''(Wintuan + Maiduan + Yokutsan + Utian)''}}
**[[Oregon Penutian languages|Oregon Penutian]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Takelma + Coosan + Siuslaw + Alsean)''}}
**Mexican Penutian &nbsp; {{small|''(Mixe–Zoque + Huave)''}}
* [[Puinave–Maku languages|Puinave–Maku]]
* [[Quechumaran languages|Quechumaran]]
* [[Saparo–Yawan languages|Saparo–Yawan]] &nbsp; {{small|''(also known as Zaparo–Yaguan)''}}
* [[Sechura–Catacao languages|Sechura–Catacao]] {{small|''(also known as Sechura–Tallan)''}}
* [[Takelman languages|Takelman]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Takelma + Kalapuyan)''}}
* [[Tequiraca–Canichana languages|Tequiraca–Canichana]]
* [[Ticuna–Yuri languages|Ticuna–Yuri]] (Yuri–Ticunan)
* [[Totozoque languages|Totozoque]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Totonacan + Mixe–Zoque)''}}
* [[Tunican languages|Tunican]] &nbsp; {{small|''(Tunica + Atakapa + Chitimacha)''}}
* [[Yok-Utian languages|Yok–Utian]]
* [[Yuki–Wappo languages|Yuki–Wappo]]
{{div col end}}

Good discussions of past proposals can be found in Campbell (1997) and Campbell & [[Marianne Mithun|Mithun]] (1979).

Amerindian linguist [[Lyle Campbell]] also assigned different percentage values of probability and confidence for various proposals of macro-families and language relationships, depending on his views of the proposals' strengths.<ref>Campbell, Lyle (1997). ''American Indian languages: the historical linguistics of Native America''. Ch. 8 ''Distant Genetic Relationships'', pp. 260–329. Oxford: Oxford University Press. {{ISBN|0-19-509427-1}}.</ref> For example, the [[Germanic languages|Germanic language family]] would receive probability and confidence percentage values of +100% and 100%, respectively. However, if Turkish and Quechua were compared, the probability value might be −95%, while the confidence value might be 95%.{{clarify | reason = The concept of a negative probability is just weird. Some explanation of what this could possibly mean is required.|date=January 2015}} 0% probability or confidence would mean complete uncertainty.

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
!c=fam| Language Family
!c=prb| Probability
!c=con| Confidence
|-
|c=fam| '''Algonkian–Gulf'''
|c=prb| −50%
|c=con| 50%
|-
|c=fam| '''Almosan (and beyond)'''
|c=prb| −75%
|c=con| 50%
|-
|c=fam| '''Atakapa–Chitimacha'''
|c=prb| −50%
|c=con| 60%
|-
|c=fam| '''Aztec–Tanoan'''
|c=prb| 0%
|c=con| 50%
|-
|c=fam| '''Coahuiltecan'''
|c=prb| −85%
|c=con| 80%
|-
|c=fam| '''Eskaleut,<br />Chukotan'''<ref>American-Arctic–Paleosiberian Phylum, Luoravetlan – and beyond</ref>
|c=prb| −25%
|c=con| 20%
|-
|c=fam| '''Guaicurian–Hokan'''
|c=prb| 0%
|c=con| 10%
|-
|c=fam| '''Gulf'''
|c=prb| −25%
|c=con| 40%
|-
|c=fam| '''Hokan–Subtiaba'''
|c=prb| −90%
|c=con| 75%
|-
|c=fam| '''Jicaque–Hokan'''
|c=prb| −30%
|c=con| 25%
|-
|c=fam| '''Jicaque–Subtiaba'''
|c=prb| −60%
|c=con| 80%
|-
|c=fam| '''Jicaque–Tequistlatecan'''
|c=prb| +65%
|c=con| 50%
|-
|c=fam| '''Keresan and Uto-Aztecan'''
|c=prb| 0%
|c=con| 60%
|-
|c=fam| '''Keresan and Zuni'''
|c=prb| −40%
|c=con| 40%
|-
|c=fam| '''Macro-Mayan'''<ref>Macro-Mayan includes Mayan, Totonacan, Mixe–Zoquean, and sometimes Huave.</ref>
|c=prb| +30%
|c=con| 25%
|-
|c=fam| '''Macro-Siouan'''<ref>Siouan–Iroquoian–Caddoan–[Yuchi]</ref>
|c=prb| −20%
|c=con| 75%
|-
|c=fam| '''Maya–Chipaya'''
|c=prb| −80%
|c=con| 95%
|-
|c=fam| '''Maya–Chipaya–Yunga'''
|c=prb| −90%
|c=con| 95%
|-
|c=fam| '''Mexican Penutian'''
|c=prb| −40%
|c=con| 60%
|-
|c=fam| '''Misumalpan–Chibchan'''
|c=prb| +20%
|c=con| 50%
|-
|c=fam| '''Mosan'''
|c=prb| −60%
|c=con| 65%
|-
|c=fam| '''Na-Dene'''
|c=prb| 0%
|c=con| 25%
|-
|c=fam| '''Natchez–Muskogean'''
|c=prb| +40%
|c=con| 20%
|-
|c=fam| '''Nostratic–Amerind'''
|c=prb| −90%
|c=con| 75%
|-
|c=fam| '''Otomanguean–Huave'''
|c=prb| +25%
|c=con| 25%
|-
|c=fam| '''Purépecha–Quechua'''
|c=prb| −90%
|c=con| 80%
|-
|c=fam| '''Quechua as Hokan'''
|c=prb| −85%
|c=con| 80%
|-
|c=fam| '''Quechumaran'''
|c=prb| +50%
|c=con| 50%
|-
|c=fam| '''Sahaptian–Klamath–(Molala)'''
|c=prb| +75%
|c=con| 50%
|-
|c=fam| '''Sahaptian–Klamath–Tsimshian'''
|c=prb| +10%
|c=con| 10%
|-
|c=fam| '''Takelman'''<ref>Alternatively Takelma–Kalapuyan</ref>
|c=prb| +80%
|c=con| 60%
|-
|c=fam| '''Tlapanec–Subtiaba as Otomanguean'''
|c=prb| +95%
|c=con| 90%
|-
|c=fam| '''Tlingit–Eyak–Athabaskan'''
|c=prb| +75%
|c=con| 40%
|-
|c=fam| '''Tunican'''
|c=prb| 0%
|c=con| 20%
|-
|c=fam| '''Wakashan and Chimakuan'''
|c=prb| 0%
|c=con| 25%
|-
|c=fam| '''Yukian–Gulf'''
|c=prb| −85%
|c=con| 70%
|-
|c=fam| '''Yukian–Siouan'''
|c=prb| −60%
|c=con| 75%
|-
|c=fam| '''Zuni–Penutian'''
|c=prb| −80%
|c=con| 50%
|}

== Pronouns ==
{{main|N&ndash;M pronouns}}
It has long been observed that a remarkable number of Native American languages have a pronominal pattern with first-person singular forms in ''n'' and second-person singular forms in ''m''. (Compare first-person singular ''m'' and second-person singular ''t'' across much of northern Eurasia, as in English ''me'' and ''thee'', Spanish ''me'' and ''te'', and Hungarian ''-m'' and ''-d''.) This pattern was first noted by [[Alfredo Trombetti]] in 1905. It caused Sapir to suggest that ultimately all Native American languages would turn out to be related.{{cn |date=August 2025}} [[Joseph Greenberg]] used the pattern as evidence to support his [[Amerind languages]] proposal,<ref name="Zamponi" /> a controversial grouping. [[Johanna Nichols]] suggests that the pattern had spread through diffusion.<ref>Nichols & Peterson 1996</ref> This notion was rejected by Lyle Campbell, who argued that the frequency of the n/m pattern was not statistically elevated in either area compared to the rest of the world.<ref name="Campbell 1997">Campbell 1997</ref> Zamponi found that Nichols's findings were distorted by her small sample size. Looking instead at data from protolanguages and isolates to represent whole families rather than individual languages, he found that about 30% of 70 languages analyzed followed the n/m pattern in North America, compared to only 5% in South America and 7% of non-American languages. Nevertheless, Zamponi concludes that because most languages of the world base their pronouns on common consonants (like ''m, n, t, k'' and ''s''), this shared pattern cannot be used as the only proof of common ancestry.<ref name=Zamponi>{{cite journal |first=Raoul |last=Zamponi |year=2017 |title=First-person ''n'' and second-person ''m'' in Native America: a fresh look |journal=Italian Journal of Linguistics |volume=29 |issue=2 |url=https://www.italian-journal-linguistics.com/app/uploads/2021/05/6_Zamponi_.pdf |doi=10.26346/1120-2726-113 |pages=189–230|doi-broken-date=12 July 2025 }}</ref>

==Linguistic areas==
{{main|Linguistic areas of the Americas}}

==Unattested languages==
Several languages are only known by mention in historical documents or from only a few names or words. It cannot be determined that these languages actually existed or that the few recorded words are actually of known or unknown languages. Some may simply be from a historian's errors. Others are of known people with no linguistic record (sometimes due to lost records). A short list is below.

{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Ais language|Ais]]
* [[Akokisa language|Akokisa]]
* [[Aranama language|Aranama]]
* [[Ausaima language|Ausaima]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Shaul |first=David Leedom |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/on1007131161 |title=Ausaima language and culture: perspectives on ancient California |date=2017 |publisher=Lincom GmbH |isbn=978-3-86288-839-9 |series=LINCOM studies in native American linguistics |location=Muenchen |oclc=on1007131161}}</ref>
* [[Avoyel language|Avoyel]]
* [[Bayogoula language|Bayagoula]]
* [[Bidai language|Bidai]]
* [[Cacán language|Cacán]] ([[Diaguita language|Diaguita]]–[[Calchaquí language|Calchaquí]])
* [[Calusa language|Calusa]] – [[Mayaimi]] – [[Tequesta language|Tequesta]]
* [[Cusabo language|Cusabo]]
* [[Eyeish language|Eyeish]]
* [[Grigra language|Grigra]]
* [[Guale language|Guale]]
* [[Houma language|Houma]]
* [[Koroa language|Koroa]]
* [[Mayaca language|Mayaca]] (possibly related to Ais)
* [[Mobila language|Mobila]]
* [[Okelousa language|Okelousa]]
* [[Opelousa language|Opelousa]]
* [[Pascagoula language|Pascagoula]]
* [[Pensacola people|Pensacola]] – [[Amacano people|Amacano]] - [[Chacato]] - [[Chine people|Chine]] (Muscogean languages)
* [[Pijao language]]
* [[Pisabo language|Pisabo]] (possibly the same language as [[Matsés language|Matsés]])
* [[Quinipissa language|Quinipissa]]
* [[Taensa language|Taensa]]
* [[Tiou language|Tiou]]
* [[Yamacraw language|Yamacraw]]
* [[Yamasee language|Yamasee]]
* [[Yazoo language|Yazoo]]
{{div col end}}

Loukotka (1968) reports the names of hundreds of South American languages which do not have any linguistic documentation.

==Pidgins and mixed languages==
Various miscellaneous languages such as [[pidgin]]s, [[mixed language]]s, trade languages, and [[sign language]]s are given below in alphabetical order.

{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
# [[American Indian Pidgin English]]
# [[Algonquian-Basque pidgin]] {{small|(also known as Micmac-Basque Pidgin, Souriquois; spoken by the [[Basque people|Basque]]s, [[Mi'kmaq people|Micmac]]s, and [[Innu people|Montagnais]] in eastern Canada)}}
# [[Ojibwe language#Broken Oghibbeway|Broken Oghibbeway]] {{small|(also known as Broken Ojibwa)}}
# [[Broken Slavey]]
# [[Bungee language|Bungee]] {{small|(also known as Bungi, Bungie, Bungay, or the Red River Dialect)}}
# [[Callahuaya language|Callahuaya]] {{small|(also known as Machaj-Juyai, [[Kallawaya language|Kallawaya]], Collahuaya, Pohena, Kolyawaya Jargon)}}
# [[Island Carib language|Carib Pidgin]] {{small|(also known as Ndjuka-Amerindian Pidgin, Ndjuka-Trio)}}
# [[Carib Pidgin–Arawak Mixed Language]]
# [[Catalangu]]
# [[Chinook Jargon]]
# [[Delaware Jargon]] {{small|(also known as Pidgin Delaware)}}
# [[Eskimo Trade Jargon]] {{small|(also known as Herschel Island Eskimo Pidgin, Ship's Jargon)}}
# [[Greenlandic Pidgin]] (West Greenlandic Pidgin)
# [[Guajiro-Spanish]]
# [[Güegüence-Nicarao]]
# [[Haida Jargon]]
# [[Inuktitut-English Pidgin]] (Quebec)
# Jargonized [[Powhatan]]
# [[Keresan Sign Language]]
# [[Labrador Eskimo Pidgin]] {{small|(also known as Labrador Inuit Pidgin)}}
# Lingua Franca [[Apalachee language|Apalachee]]
# Lingua Franca [[Creek language|Creek]]
# [[Lingua Geral Amazônica]] {{small|(also known as Nheengatú, Lingua Boa, Lingua Brasílica, Lingua Geral do Norte)}}
# [[Lingua Geral do Sul]] {{small|(also known as Lingua Geral Paulista, Tupí Austral)}}
# [[Loucheux Jargon]] {{small|(also known as Jargon Loucheux)}}
# [[Media Lengua]]
# [[Medny Aleut language|Mednyj Aleut]] {{small|(also known as Copper Island Aleut, Medniy Aleut, CIA)}}
# [[Michif]] {{small|(also known as French Cree, Métis, Metchif, Mitchif, Métchif)}}
# [[Mobilian Jargon]] {{small|(also known as Mobilian Trade Jargon, Chickasaw-Chocaw Trade Language, Yamá)}}
# [[Montagnais Pidgin Basque]] {{small|(also known as Pidgin Basque-Montagnais)}}
# [[Nootka Jargon]] {{small|(spoken during the 18th–19th centuries; later replaced by Chinook Jargon)}}
# [[Ocaneechi language|Ocaneechi]] {{small|(also known as Occaneechee; spoken in Virginia and the Carolinas in early colonial times)}}
# [[Pidgin Massachusett]]
# [[Plains Indian Sign Language]]
{{div col end}}

== Writing systems ==
While most Indigenous languages have adopted the Latin script as the written form of their languages, a few languages have their own unique writing systems after encountering the Latin script (often through missionaries) that are still in use. All pre-Columbian Indigenous writing systems are no longer used as the primary script, but many are undergoing revitalization.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Indigenous Writing Systems of the Americas
!Writing System
!Type
!Language(s)
!Region(s)
!Date in usage
!Status
!Inventor
|-
|[[Quipu]]
|[[Logogram]],<br />Potentially phonetic ([[Syllabary]]) at least during the Colonial Period, though perhaps also during the Pre-Columbian Era.
|[[Aymara language|Aymara]], [[Quechua language|Quechua]], [[Puquina language|Puquina]], [[Mapuche language|Mapuche]] and other Andean languages 
|[[Andean civilizations]] (Central Andes)
|2600s BCE – 1900s
|Extinct
|
|-
|[[Olmec hieroglyphs]]
|rowspan="3"|Undeciphered, likely [[logosyllabary]]
|Likely [[Mixe–Zoque languages]], but linguistic status remains debatable
|[[Isthmus of Tehuantepec]]
|1500 [[Before the Common Era|BCE]] – 400 BCE
|Extinct
|
|-
|[[Zapotec script]]
|Likely [[Zapotecan languages]]
|[[Oaxaca]]
|500 [[Common Era|BCE]] – 900 CE
|Extinct
|
|-
|[[Isthmian script|Epi-Olmec script]]
|Likely [[Zoque languages]]
|[[Isthmus of Tehuantepec]]
|400 [[Common Era|BCE]] – 500 CE
|Extinct
|
|-
|[[Mesoamerican writing systems#Abaj Takalik and Kaminaljuyú scripts|Izapan scripts]]
|Undeciphered, likely a [[logosyllabary]]
|Likely an unknown [[Mixe–Zoquean languages|Mixe–Zoquean language]], Highland Mayan languages
|Southern [[Guatemala]]
|300s BCE - 100s CE ([[Mesoamerican Preclassic period#Late Preclassic|Late Preclassic]])
|Extinct
|
|-
|[[Maya script]]
|[[Logogram]]<br />[[Syllabary]]
|[[Mayan languages]]:
*[[Chʼolan languages]], most notably [[Classic Maya language|Epigraphic Ch'olti']]
*[[Tzeltalan languages]]
*[[Yucatec Maya language|Yucatec]]
|[[Maya civilization]]: [[Yucatán Peninsula]] of Mexico, [[Guatemala]], & [[Belize]]
|200s BCE – 1700 CE
|Extinct
|
|-
|[[Mesoamerican writing systems|Teotihua script]] 
|Undeciphered, likely a [[Logogram|logosyllabary]]
|[[Nahuatl]], ''other''
|[[Mexico|Central Mexico]]
|100 [[Common Era|BCE]] – 750 CE
|Extinct
|
|-
|[[Mixtec writing|Mixtec script]]
(Mixteca-Puebla script)
|[[Logogram]]<br />[[Syllabary]]
|[[Mixtecan languages]]
|[[Oaxaca]], [[Puebla]], [[Guerrero]]
|1100s–1600s
|Extinct
|
|-
|[[Aztec script]]
(Mixteca-Puebla script)
|[[Logogram]]<br />[[Syllabary]]
|[[Classical Nahuatl]]
|[[Mexico|Central Mexico]]
|1100s–1600s
|Extinct
|
|-
|[[Mi'kmaw hieroglyphs|Komqwejwi'kasikl (Miꞌkmaw Hieroglyphs)]]
|[[Logogram]]
[[Syllabary]]

[[Alphabet]]
|[[Mi'kmaq (language)|Mi'kmaq]]
|[[Nova Scotia]], [[Prince Edward Island]], & [[New Brunswick]]
|1675–1800s (as codified)
|Extinct
|[[Mi'kmaw hieroglyphs#History|Father Le Clercq]] (as codified, before [[Pictogram|Pictographic]])
|-
|[[Cherokee syllabary]]
|[[Syllabary]]
|[[Cherokee language|Cherokee]]
|[[Cherokee Nation]], United States
|1820s–present
|Active
|[[Sequoyah|Sequoyah ᏍᏏᏉᏯ]]
|-
|[[Canadian Aboriginal syllabics]]
|rowspan="3"|[[Abugida]]
|
*[[Algonquian languages]] ([[Cree language|Cree]], [[Naskapi language|Naskapi]], [[Ojibwe language|Anishinaabemowin]]/[[Chippewa language|Chippewa]])
*[[Eskaleut languages]] ([[Inuktitut]] & [[Inuinnaqtun]])
*[[Athabaskan languages]] ([[Beaver language|Dane-zaa]], [[Slavey language|Slavey]], [[Chipewyan language|Chipewyan (Denesuline)]]/[[Sayisi Dene|Sayisi]], & [[Sekani language|Sekani]])
|Canada<br />[[Midwestern United States]]
|1840s–present
|Active
|[[James Evans (linguist)|James Evans ᒉᐃᒻᔅ ᐁᕙᓐᔅ]]
|-
|[[Blackfoot Syllabics]]
|[[Blackfoot language|Blackfoot]]
|[[Alberta]], Canada<br />[[Montana]], United States
|1888-present
|Endangered
|[[John Tims]]
|-
|[[Carrier syllabics]]
|[[Carrier language|Dakelh]] and some other [[Athabaskan languages]]
|[[British Columbia]], Canada
|1885-1920s
|Endangered
|[[Adrien-Gabriel Morice]]
|-
|[[Great Lakes Algonquian syllabics]]
|[[Alphabet#Types|Alphasyllabary]] (much like [[Hangul]])
|[[Ojibwe language|Anishinaabemowin]], [[Fox language|Fox]], [[Ho-Chunk language|Ho-Chunk]], [[Potawatomi language|Potawatomi]]
|[[Iowa]], [[Michigan]], & [[Nebraska]], United States<br />[[Coahuila]], Mexico
|1800s-present
|Endangered
|
|-
|[[Yugtun script]]
|[[Syllabary]]
|[[Central Alaskan Yup'ik language|Central Alaskan Yup'ik]]
|[[Alaska]]
|1900–present
|Endangered
|[[Uyaquq]]
|-
|[[Afaka syllabary]]
|[[Syllabary]]
|[[Ndyuka language|Ndyuka]]
|[[Suriname]], [[French Guiana]]
|1910–present
|Endangered
|Afáka Atumisi
|-
|[[Saanich alphabet]]
|[[Alphabet]]
|[[North Straits Salish language|North Straits Salish]] ([[Saanich dialect]])
|Southern [[Salish Sea]] Islands: [[British Columbia]] & [[Washington state]]
|1978-present
|Active
|Dave Elliott
|-
|[[Osage script]]
|[[Alphabet]]
|[[Osage language|Osage]]
|[[Osage Nation]], United States
|2006–present
|Active
|Herman Mongrain Lookout
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Languages}}
* [[Amerind languages]]
* [[Archive of the Indigenous Languages of Latin America]]
* [[Classification of indigenous peoples of the Americas]]
* [[Classification of indigenous languages of the Americas]]
* [[Haplogroup Q-M242 (Y-DNA)]]
* [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas]]
* [[Language families and languages]]
* [[Languages of Peru]]
* [[List of endangered languages in Canada]]
* [[List of endangered languages in Mexico]]
* [[List of endangered languages in the United States]]
* [[List of endangered languages with mobile apps]]
* [[List of indigenous languages of South America]]
* [[List of indigenous languages in Argentina]]
* [[Mesoamerican languages]]
* [[Native American Languages Act of 1990]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin|25em}}
*{{cite book |last=Bright |first=William |year=1984 |title=American Indian linguistics and literature |location=Berlin |publisher=Mouton de Gruyter |isbn=3-11-009846-6}}.
*{{cite book |last=Brinton |first=Daniel G |year=1891 |title=The American race |location=New York |publisher=D. C. Hodges}}
*{{cite book |last=Campbell |first=Lyle |year=1997 |title=American Indian languages: The historical linguistics of Native America |location=New York |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0-19-509427-1}}
*{{cite book |editor-last1=Campbell |editor-first1=Lyle |editor-last2=Mithun |editor-first2=Marianne |year=1979 |title=The languages of native America: Historical and comparative assessment |location=Austin |publisher=University of Texas Press}}
{{refend}}

===North America===
{{refbegin|25em}}
*{{cite book |last=Boas |first=Franz |year=1911 |title=Handbook of American Indian languages |volume=1 |series=Bureau of American Ethnology |location=Washington |publisher=Government Print Office |url=https://archive.org/details/b24881831_0001/page/n3/mode/2up}}
*{{cite book |last=Boas |first=Franz |year=1911 |title=Handbook of American Indian languages |volume=2 |series=Bureau of American Ethnology |location=Washington |publisher=Government Print Office |url=https://archive.org/details/handbookofameric03boas}}
*{{cite book |last=Boas |first=Franz |year=1911 |title=Handbook of American Indian languages |volume=3 |series=Bureau of American Ethnology |location=Glückstadt |publisher=J.J. Augustin |url=https://archive.org/details/handbookofameric04boas/page/n3/mode/2up}}
*{{cite journal |last=Boas |first=Franz |year=1929 |title=Classification of American Indian languages |journal=Language |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=1–7|doi=10.2307/408990 |jstor=408990 }}
*{{cite encyclopedia |last=Bright |first=William |year=1973 |title=North American Indian language contact |editor-first=T. A. |editor-last=Sebeok |encyclopedia=Linguistics in North America |volume=10 |pages=713–726 |series=Current trends in linguistics |location=The Hauge |publisher=Mouton}}
*{{cite encyclopedia |editor-last=Goddard |editor-first=Ives |year=1996 |title=Handbook of North American Indians |volume=17 |location=Washington |publisher=Smithsonian Institution |isbn=0-16-048774-9}}
* Goddard, Ives. (1999). ''Native languages and language families of North America'' (rev. and enlarged ed. with additions and corrections). [Map]. Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press (Smithsonian Institution). (Updated version of the map in Goddard 1996). {{ISBN|0-8032-9271-6}}.
*{{cite journal |last=Goddard |first=Ives |year=2005 |title=The indigenous languages of the southeast |journal=Anthropological Linguistics |volume=47 |issue=1 |pages=1–60}}
*{{cite journal |last=Mithun |first=Marianne |year=1990 |url=http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.an.19.100190.001521 |title=Studies of North American Indian Languages |journal=Annual Review of Anthropology |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=309–330 |doi=10.1146/annurev.an.19.100190.001521|url-access=subscription }}
*{{cite book |last=Mithun |first=Marianne |year=1999 |title=The languages of Native North America |location=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=0-521-23228-7}}
* Nater, Hank F. (1984). The Bella Coola Language. Mercury Series; Canadian Ethnology Service (No. 92). Ottawa: National Museums of Canada.
* Powell, John W. (1891). Indian linguistic families of America north of Mexico. Seventh annual report, Bureau of American Ethnology (pp.&nbsp;1–142). Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. (Reprinted in P. Holder (Ed.), 1966, ''Introduction to Handbook of American Indian languages by Franz Boas and Indian linguistic families of America, north of Mexico, by J. W. Powell'', Lincoln: University of Nebraska).
* Powell, John W. (1915). ''Linguistic families of American Indians north of Mexico by J. W. Powell, revised by members of the staff of the Bureau of American Ethnology''. (Map). Bureau of American Ethnology miscellaneous publication (No. 11). Baltimore: Hoen.
* Sebeok, Thomas A. (Ed.). (1973). ''Linguistics in North America'' (parts 1 & 2).  Current trends in linguistics (Vol. 10). The Hauge: Mouton. (Reprinted as Sebeok 1976).
* Sebeok, Thomas A. (Ed.). (1976). ''Native languages of the Americas''. New York: Plenum.
* Sherzer, Joel.  (1973).  Areal linguistics in North America.  In T. A. Sebeok (Ed.), ''Linguistics in North America'' (part 2, pp.&nbsp;749–795).  Current trends in linguistics (Vol. 10). The Hauge: Mouton. (Reprinted in Sebeok 1976).
* Sherzer, Joel. (1976). ''An areal-typological study of American Indian languages north of Mexico''. Amsterdam: North-Holland.
* Sletcher, Michael, 'North American Indians', in Will Kaufman and Heidi Macpherson, eds., ''Britain and the Americas: Culture, Politics, and History'', (2 vols., Oxford, 2005).
* Sturtevant, William C. (Ed.). (1978–present). ''Handbook of North American Indians'' (Vol. 1–20). Washington, D. C.: Smithsonian Institution. (Vols. 1–3, 16, 18–20 not yet published).
* Vaas, Rüdiger: 'Die Sprachen der Ureinwohner'. In: Stoll, Günter, Vaas, Rüdiger: ''Spurensuche im Indianerland.'' Hirzel. Stuttgart 2001, chapter 7.
* Voegelin, Carl F.; & Voegelin, Florence M. (1965). Classification of American Indian languages. ''Languages of the world'', Native American fasc. 2, sec. 1.6). ''Anthropological Linguistics'', ''7'' (7): 121–150.
*{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Zepeda |first1=Ofelia |last2=Hill |first2=Jane H. |year=1991 |title=The condition of Native American Languages in the United States |editor-first1=R. H. |editor-last1=Robins |editor-first2=E. M. |editor-last2=Uhlenbeck |encyclopedia=Endangered languages |pages=135–155 |location=Oxford |publisher=Berg}}
{{refend}}

===South America===
{{refbegin|25em}}
* [[Willem Adelaar|Adelaar, Willem F. H.]]; & Muysken, Pieter C. (2004). ''The languages of the Andes''. Cambridge language surveys. Cambridge University Press.
* Fabre, Alain. (1998). "Manual de las lenguas indígenas sudamericanas, I-II". München: Lincom Europa.
* Kaufman, Terrence. (1990). Language history in South America: What we know and how to know more. In D. L. Payne (Ed.), ''Amazonian linguistics: Studies in lowland South American languages'' (pp.&nbsp;13–67). Austin: University of Texas Press. {{ISBN|0-292-70414-3}}.
* Kaufman, Terrence. (1994). The native languages of South America. In C. Mosley & R. E. Asher (Eds.), ''Atlas of the world's languages'' (pp.&nbsp;46–76). London: Routledge.
* Key, Mary R. (1979). ''The grouping of South American languages''. Tübingen: Gunter Narr Verlag.
* [[Čestmír Loukotka|Loukotka, Čestmír]]. (1968). ''Classification of South American Indian languages''. Los Angeles: Latin American Studies Center, University of California.
* Mason, J. Alden. (1950). The languages of South America. In J. Steward (Ed.), ''Handbook of South American Indians'' (Vol. 6, pp.&nbsp;157–317). Smithsonian Institution Bureau of American Ethnology bulletin (No. 143). Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.
* Migliazza, Ernest C.; & Campbell, Lyle. (1988). ''Panorama general de las lenguas indígenas en América''. Historia general de América (Vol. 10). Caracas: Instituto Panamericano de Geografía e Historia.
* Rodrigues, Aryon. (1986). ''Linguas brasileiras: Para o conhecimento das linguas indígenas''. São Paulo: Edições Loyola.
* Rowe, John H. (1954). Linguistics classification problems in South America. In M. B. Emeneau (Ed.), ''Papers from the symposium on American Indian linguistics'' (pp.&nbsp;10–26). University of California publications in linguistics (Vol. 10). Berkeley: University of California Press.
* Sapir, Edward. (1929). Central and North American languages. In ''The encyclopædia britannica: A new survey of universal knowledge'' (14 ed.) (Vol. 5, pp.&nbsp;138–141). London: The Encyclopædia Britannica Company, Ltd.
* Voegelin, Carl F.; & Voegelin, Florence M. (1977). ''Classification and index of the world's languages''. Amsterdam: Elsevier. {{ISBN|0-444-00155-7}}.
* [http://wiki.debian.org/I18n/NorthAmericanIndigenousLanguages Debian North American Indigenous Languages Project]
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Indigenous languages of the Americas}}
* [http://www.etnolinguistica.org/linguas Catálogo de línguas indígenas sul-americanas]
* [http://www.ling.fi Diccionario etnolingüístico y guía bibliográfica de los pueblos indígenas sudamericanos]
* [http://www.ling.fi/typologydatabase.html Towards a general typology of South American indigenous languages. A bibliographical database]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180929134719/http://www.athenapub.com/salang1.htm South American Languages]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100908060541/http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_fjrelated&view=fjrelated&id=0&Itemid=115 Indigenous Peoples Languages: Articles, News, Videos]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120216191804/http://www.uni-lueneburg.de/fb3/suk/akpam/ Documentation Center of the Linguistic Minorities of Panama]
* [https://www.ailla.utexas.org/ The Archive of the Indigenous Languages of Latin America]
* [http://www.ilinative.org/ Indigenous Language Institute]
* [http://www.ssila.org/ The Society for the Study of the Indigenous Languages of the Americas] (SSILA)
* [http://soda.sou.edu/tribal.html Southern Oregon Digital Archives First Nations Tribal Collection] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209110219/http://soda.sou.edu/tribal.html |date=2012-02-09 }} (collection of ethnographic, linguistic, & historical material)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060911231020/http://stripe.colorado.edu/~linguist/cesnalps.html Center for the Study of the Native Languages of the Plains and Southwest]
* [http://www.albany.edu/anthro/maldp/ Project for the Documentation of the Languages of Mesoamerica] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318125917/http://www.albany.edu/anthro/maldp/ |date=2012-03-18 }}
* [http://www.proeibandes.org/ Programa de Formación en Educación Intercultural Bilingüe para los Países Andinos]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150603190524/http://nas.ucdavis.edu/NALC/home.html Native American Language Center] (University of California at Davis)
* [http://www.native-languages.org/ Native Languages of the Americas]
* [http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/IJAL/home.html ''International Journal of American Linguistics''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123080902/http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/IJAL/home.html |date=2007-11-23 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110927052049/http://www.sicc.sk.ca/heritage/sils/ourlanguages/index.html Our Languages] (Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070211073529/http://paginas.terra.com.br/educacao/GICLI/ListasEnglish.htm Swadesh Lists of Brazilian Native Languages]
* [https://www.uaf.edu/anlc/ Alaska Native Language Center]

{{Indigenous peoples of the Americas}}
{{North American languages}}
{{South American languages}}
{{Americas topic|Indigenous languages of}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Indigenous Languages Of The Americas}}
[[Category:Indigenous languages of the Americas| ]]
[[Category:Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Languages]]
[[Category:Proposed language families| ]]