An endangered language is a language that is at a risk of falling out of use, generally because it has few surviving speakers. If it loses all of its native speakers, it becomes an extinct language. UNESCO defines four levels of language endangerment between "safe" (not endangered) and "extinct":[1]
- Vulnerable
- Definitely endangered
- Severely endangered
- Critically endangered
| Language Endangerment Status | |
|---|---|
| Extinct (EX) | |
| |
| Endangered | |
| Safe | |
| |
Other categories | |
Related topics | |
 UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger categories | |
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (December 2015) |
India
editThis section needs to be updated. (September 2022) |
The following table lists the 192 languages of India that are classified as vulnerable or endangered.
| Language | Status | Comments | ISO 639-3 | Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A'tong language | Severely endangered[1] | aot | (undated figure of 10,000, 4,600 in India) | |
| Adi language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: China | adi | 150,000 total for the various languages (2011 census) |
| Aimol language | Critically endangered[1] | aim | 6,000 (2001 census) | |
| Aiton language | Severely endangered[1] | aio | 1,500 (2006) | |
| Anal language | Vulnerable[1] | anm | 120,000 (2011 census) | |
| Angami language | Vulnerable[1] | njm | 150,000 (2011 census) | |
| Angika language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Nepal | anp | (740,000 cited 1997–2011) |
| Ao language | Vulnerable[1] | ngo | 227,000 speakers(2011 census) | |
| Apatani language | Vulnerable[1] | apt | ||
| Asur language | Definitely endangered[1] | asr | ||
| Badaga language | Definitely endangered[1] | bfq | ||
| Baghati language | Critically endangered[1] | bfz | ||
| Balti language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Pakistan | bft | |
| Bangani language | Critically endangered[1] | gbm | ||
| Bangni language | Vulnerable[1] | |||
| Bawm language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Bangladesh | bgr | |
| Bellari language | Critically endangered[1] | brw | ||
| Bhadravahi language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Pakistan | bhd | |
| Bhalesi language | Definitely endangered[1] | bhd | ||
| Bharmauri language | Definitely endangered[1] | gbk | ||
| Bhumij language | Vulnerable[1] | bhu | ||
| Bhumji language | Vulnerable[1] | bij | ||
| Biete language | Definitely endangered[1] | biu | ||
| Birhor language | Critically endangered[1] | biy | ||
| Bishnupriya Manipuri language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Bangladesh | bpy | |
| Bodo language | Vulnerable[1] | brx | ||
| Bokar language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: China | adi | |
| Bori language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: China | adi | |
| Brokshat language | Definitely endangered[1] | bkk | ||
| Bunan language | Definitely endangered[1] | bfu | ||
| Byangsi language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Nepal | bee | |
| Chambeali language | Definitely endangered[1] | cdh | ||
| Chang language | Vulnerable[1] | nbc | ||
| Chokri language | Vulnerable[1] | nri | ||
| Churahi language | Definitely endangered[1] | cdj | ||
| Dakpa language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Bhutan | dka | |
| Darma language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Nepal | drd | |
| Deori language | Definitely endangered[1] | der | ||
| Dimasa language | Vulnerable[1] | dis | ||
| Gadaba language | Critically endangered[1] | gdb, gau | ||
| Galo language | Vulnerable[1] | adl | ||
| Gangte language | Definitely endangered[1] | gnb | ||
| Garhwali language | Vulnerable[1] | gbm | ||
| Geta? language | Severely endangered[1] | gaq | ||
| Gondi language | Vulnerable[1] | gon | ||
| Gorum language | Definitely endangered[1] | pcj | ||
| Gutob language | Vulnerable[1] | gbj | ||
| Handuri language | Critically endangered[1] | hii | ||
| Hill Miri language | Definitely endangered[1] | mrg | ||
| Hmar language | Vulnerable[1] | hmr | ||
| Ho language | Vulnerable[1] | hoc | ||
| Hrangkhol language | Vulnerable[1] | hra | ||
| Hruso language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also known as: Aka | hru | |
| Idu language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: China | clk | |
| Irula language | Vulnerable[1] | iru | ||
| Jad language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Pakistan | jda | |
| Jangshung language | Definitely endangered[1] | jna, scu, ssk | ||
| Jarawa language | Critically endangered[1] | ang | ||
| Jaunsari language | Definitely endangered[1] | jns | ||
| Juang language | Definitely endangered[1] | jun | ||
| Kabui language | Vulnerable[1] | nkf | ||
| Kachari language | Definitely endangered[1] | xac | ||
| Kanashi language | Definitely endangered[1] | xns | ||
| Kangdi language | Definitely endangered[1] | xnr | ||
| Karbi language | Vulnerable[1] | mjw | ||
| Khamba language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: China | kbg | |
| Khampti language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Myanmar | ||
| Kharia language | Vulnerable[1] | khr | ||
| Khasali language | Definitely endangered[1] | |||
| Kheza language | Vulnerable[1] | nkh | ||
| Khiamngan language | Vulnerable[1] | nky | ||
| Khoirao language | Vulnerable[1] | nki | ||
| Khowa language | Definitely endangered[1] | bgg | ||
| Kinnauri language | Definitely endangered[1] | kns, kfk, cif, tpq | ||
| Koch language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in Bangladesh, Nepal | kdq | |
| Koda language | Vulnerable[1] | cdz | ||
| Kodagu language | Definitely endangered[1] | kfa | ||
| Koireng language | Critically endangered[1] | nkd | ||
| Kokborok language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Bangladesh | trp | |
| Kolami language | Definitely endangered[1] | kfb | ||
| Kom language | Definitely endangered[1] | kmm | ||
| Konda language | Definitely endangered[1] | kfc | ||
| Konyak language | Vulnerable[1] | nbe | ||
| Koraga language | Critically endangered[1] | kfd | ||
| Korku language | Vulnerable[1] | kfq | ||
| Koro language | Definitely endangered[1] | |||
| Korwa language | Vulnerable[1] | kfp | ||
| Kota language | Critically endangered[1] | kfe | ||
| Kui language | Vulnerable[1] | kxu | ||
| Kului language | Definitely endangered[1] | kfx | ||
| Kumaoni language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Nepal | kfy | |
| Kundal Shahi language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Pakistan | ||
| Kurru language | Definitely endangered[1] | yeu | ||
| Kuruba language | Critically endangered[1] | kfi | ||
| Kurukh language | Vulnerable[1] | kru | ||
| Kutchi language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Pakistan | kfr | |
| Kuvi language | Definitely endangered[1] | kxv | ||
| Ladakhi language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: China | cna, lbj, tkk | |
| Lamgang language | Critically endangered[1] | lmk | ||
| Lamongse language | Critically endangered[1] | nik | ||
| Langrong language | Critically endangered[1] | |||
| Lepcha language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Bhutan, Nepal | lep | |
| Lotha language | Vulnerable[1] | njh | ||
| Liangmai language | Vulnerable[1] | njn | ||
| Limbu language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: Nepal | lif | |
| Lishpa language | Definitely endangered[1] | |||
| Luro language | Critically endangered[1] | tef | ||
| Mahasui language | Definitely endangered[1] | bfz | ||
| Malto language | Definitely endangered[1] | kmj | ||
| Manchad language | Vulnerable[1] | lae | ||
| Manda language | Critically endangered[1] | mha | ||
| Mandeali language | Definitely endangered[1] | mjl | ||
| Mao language | Vulnerable[1] | nbi | ||
| Mara language | Definitely endangered[1] | mrh | ||
| Maram language | Vulnerable[1] | nma | ||
| Maring language | Vulnerable[1] | nng | ||
| Miji language | Definitely endangered[1] | |||
| Miju language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: China | mxj | |
| Milang language | Definitely endangered[1] | adi | ||
| Minyong language | Vulnerable[1] | adi | ||
| Mising language | Definitely endangered[1] | mrg | ||
| Mizo language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Myanmar | lus | |
| Motuo Menba language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: China | tsj | |
| Moyon language | Definitely endangered[1] | nmo | ||
| Mra language | Critically endangered[1] | Also spoken in: China | ||
| Mundari language | Vulnerable[1] | muw | ||
| Muot language | Critically endangered[1] | ncb | ||
| Mzieme language | Vulnerable[1] | nme | ||
| Na language | Critically endangered[1] | Also spoken in: China | ||
| Nahali language | Definitely endangered[1] | nlx | ||
| Naiki language | Critically endangered[1] | nit | ||
| Nihali language | Critically endangered[1] | nll | ||
| Nocte language | Vulnerable[1] | njb | ||
| Nruanghmei language | Vulnerable[1] | nbu | ||
| Nyishi language | Vulnerable[1] | dap | ||
| Onge language | Critically endangered[1] | oon | ||
| Padam language | Vulnerable[1] | |||
| Padri language | Vulnerable[1] | bhd | ||
| Paite language | Vulnerable[1] | pck, smt | ||
| Pangvali language | Critically endangered[1] | pgg | ||
| Parji language | Critically endangered[1] | pci | ||
| Pasi dialect of Adi | Definitely endangered[1] | adi | ||
| Pengo language | Critically endangered[1] | peg | ||
| Phom language | Vulnerable[1] | nph | ||
| Pochuri language | Vulnerable[1] | npo | ||
| Pu language | Critically endangered[1] | caq | ||
| Purik language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Pakistan | prx | |
| Purum language | Critically endangered[1] | |||
| Rabha language | Vulnerable[1] | rah | ||
| Remo language | Severely endangered[1] | bfw | ||
| Rengma language | Vulnerable[1] | nnl, nre | ||
| Rongpo language | Vulnerable[1] | rnp | ||
| Sanenyo language | Critically endangered[1] | crv | ||
| Sangtam language | Vulnerable[1] | nsa | ||
| Sentinelese language | Critically endangered[1] | std | ||
| Sherdukpen language | Vulnerable[1] | sdp | ||
| Sherpa language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: China, Nepal | xsr | |
| Shompen language | Critically endangered[1] | sil | ||
| Simi language | Vulnerable[1] | nsm | ||
| Singpho language | Definitely endangered[1] | sgp | ||
| Sirmaudi language | Critically endangered[1] | srx | ||
| Sora language | Vulnerable[1] | srb | ||
| Spiti language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Pakistan | spt | |
| Sulung language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: China | suv | |
| Tagin language | Vulnerable[1] | |||
| Tai Nora language | Critically endangered[1] | |||
| Tai Phake language | Severely endangered[1] | phk | ||
| Tai Rong language | Critically endangered[1] | |||
| Takahanyilang language | Critically endangered[1] | nik | ||
| Tamang language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Nepal | taj, tge, tmk, tsf, tdg | |
| Tangam language | Critically endangered[1] | adi | ||
| Tangkhul language | Vulnerable[1] | nmf | ||
| Tangsa language | Vulnerable[1] | nst | ||
| Tarao language | Critically endangered[1] | tro | ||
| Taruang language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: China, Burma | mhu | |
| Tawang language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Bhutan, China | twm | |
| Thado language | Vulnerable[1] | tcz | ||
| Tinan language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: China | lbf | |
| Tiwa language | Definitely endangered[1] | lax | ||
| Toda language | Critically endangered[1] | tcx | ||
| Toto language | Critically endangered[1] | txo | ||
| Tshangla language | Vulnerable[1] | Also spoken in: Bhutan, China | tsj | |
| Tulu language | Vulnerable[1] | tcy | ||
| Turi language | Definitely endangered[1] | trd | ||
| Saurashtra language | Vulnerable[1] | trd | ||
| Wancho language | Vulnerable[1] | nnp | ||
| Yimchungru language | Vulnerable[1] | yim | ||
| Zakhring language | Definitely endangered[1] | Also spoken in: China | zkr | |
| Zangskari language | Definitely endangered[1] | zau | ||
| Zeme language | Vulnerable[1] | nzm |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm dn do dp dq dr ds dt du dv dw dx dy dz ea eb ec ed ee ef eg eh ei ej ek el em en eo ep eq er es et eu ev ew ex ey ez fa fb fc fd fe ff fg fh fi fj fk fl fm fn fo fp fq fr fs ft fu fv fw fx fy fz ga gb gc gd ge gf gg gh gi Moseley, Christopher, ed. (2010). Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger. Memory of Peoples (3rd ed.). Paris: UNESCO Publishing. ISBN 978-92-3-104096-2. Retrieved 2015-04-11.