List of endangered languages in Papua New Guinea explained

An endangered language is a language that it is at risk of falling out of use, generally because it has few surviving speakers. If it loses all of its native speakers, it becomes an extinct language. UNESCO defines four levels of language endangerment between "safe" (not endangered) and "extinct":[1]

LanguageSpeakersStatusCommentsRef
Abaga language Critically endangered  
Ainbai language Severely endangered  
Ak language Severely endangered  
Anuki language Definitely endangered  
Arawun language Severely endangered  
Ari language Severely endangered  
Atemble language Definitely endangered  
Bagupi language Definitely endangered  
Bepour language Severely endangered  
Bikaru language Severely endangered  
Bilakura language Critically endangered  
Bosilewa language Vulnerable  
Bothar language Severely endangered  
Budibud language Vulnerable  
Bukiyip language Vulnerable  
Bulgebi language Definitely endangered  
Bumbita Arapesh language Vulnerable  
Dengalu language Definitely endangered  
Doga language Definitely endangered  
Dorro language Severely endangered  
Dumun language Critically endangered  
Duwet language Vulnerable  
Faita language Severely endangered  
Garuwahi language Definitely endangered  
Gorovu language Severely endangered  
Grass Koiari language Vulnerable  
Guranalum language Critically endangered  
Hermit language Critically endangered  
Iteri language Severely endangered  
Kaiep language Vulnerable  
Kaki Ae language Vulnerable  
Kalamo language Severely endangered  
Kamasa language Critically endangered  
Kandas language Vulnerable  
Kaningara language Vulnerable  
Karore language Vulnerable  
Kawucha language Critically endangered  
Koitabu language Vulnerable  
Kowaki language Critically endangered  
Kuot language Vulnerable  
Laua language Critically endangered  
Laxudumau language Vulnerable  
Likum language Likum Definitely endangered  
Magori language Vulnerable  
Makolkol language Critically endangered  
Mari language Severely endangered  
Mawak language Critically endangered  
Mindiri language Severely endangered  
Moere language Severely endangered  
Mosimo language Severely endangered  
Murik language Vulnerable  
Musan language Severely endangered  
Musom language Definitely endangered  
Mussau-Emira language Definitely endangered  
Mwatebu language Definitely endangered  
Nafi language Severely endangered  
Nauna language Vulnerable  
Numbami language Vulnerable  
Onjab language Vulnerable  
Ouma language Critically endangered  
Papapana language Definitely endangered  
Papi language Severely endangered  
Piame language Severely endangered  
Piu language Definitely endangered  
Puari language Critically endangered  
Samosa language Severely endangered  
Sene language Critically endangered  
Sengseng language Vulnerable  
Sepa language, Schouten languages Vulnerable  
Sera language,  Severely endangered  
Sissano language Critically endangered  
Somm language Definitely endangered  
Suarmin language Definitely endangered  
Sumariup language Severely endangered  
Susuami language Critically endangered  
Taap language Critically endangered  
Taiap language Severely endangered  
Taulil language Vulnerable  
Tench language Critically endangered  
Turaka language Critically endangered  
Usu language Severely endangered  
Vehes language Severely endangered  
Wab language Vulnerable  
Warapu language Severely endangered  
Yapunda language Severely endangered  
Yarawata language Severely endangered  
Yarawi language Critically endangered  
Yimas language Severely endangered  

Notes and References

  1. Book: 2010 . Moseley . Christopher . Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger . Memory of Peoples . 3rd . Paris . UNESCO Publishing . 978-92-3-104096-2 . 2015-04-11 .