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]
South America is a continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east by the Atlantic Ocean; North America and the Caribbean Sea lie to the northwest.
| width=200pt | Language | width=250pt | Comments | width=250pt | Speakers | width=100pt | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiriguano language | 15,000 | Red Book | |||||
| Chorote language | See also Matacoan languages | Red Book | |||||
| Guarani Correntino language | Red Book | ||||||
| Mapuche language | Red Book | ||||||
| Mbya Guarani language | Red Book | ||||||
| Mocovi language | 4,500 | Red Book | |||||
| Nivacle language | Red Book | ||||||
| Pilaga language | 4,000 | Red Book | |||||
| Quichua Santiagueno language | 60,000 | Red Book | |||||
| Tapiete language | Red Book | ||||||
| Tehuelche | Chonan languages | extinct | |||||
| Toba Sur language | Red Book | ||||||
| Wichi language | Red Book | ||||||
See main article: List of endangered languages in Brazil.
| width=200pt | Language | width=250pt | Comments | width=250pt | Speakers | width=100pt | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anambe language | 7 (1991 SIL) 77 (1993 SIL) | ||||||
| Apiaca language | 2 (1986 Rodrigues) | ||||||
| Arikapu language | 6 (1998 SIL) | ||||||
| Arua language | 12 (1990) | ||||||
| Arutani language | 17 in Brazil (1986 SIL) Population total all countries: 19 | ||||||
| Cafundo Creole language | 40 (1978 M Gnerre, U Estadual de Campinas). | ||||||
| Guato language | 40 (1993 SIL) 382 (1993 SIL). | ||||||
| Himarima language | 40. | ||||||
| Jabuti language | 5 (1990). | ||||||
| Juma language | 4 (1998) There were 300 in 1940. | ||||||
| Karahawyana language | 40 (1995 SIL). | ||||||
| Karipuna language | 12 to 15 (2000 SIL). | ||||||
| Katawixi language | 10 (1986 SIL). | ||||||
| Katukina language | 1 (1976 SIL) 360. | ||||||
| Kreye language | 30 (1995 SIL). | ||||||
| Mapidian language | 50 in Brazil (1986 Howard). | ||||||
| Monde language | 30 (1995 AMTB). | ||||||
| Ofaye language | 15 (2002) 37 (1995 AMTB). | ||||||
| Omagua language | There may be none left in Brazil (1995). | ||||||
| Oro Win language | 5 (1996 SIL) 55 (1998). | ||||||
| Piraha language | 150 speakers in 2004. Ethnic population: 200. | ||||||
| Purubora language | 2 (2002 SIL). | ||||||
| Sikiana language | 33 in Brazil (1986 SIL) Population total all countries: 48. | ||||||
| Tariano language | 100 in Brazil (1996 A Aikhenvald) 1,500 in Brazil (1985 Rodrigues). | ||||||
| Torá language | 40 (1990) 120 (1990 YWAM). | ||||||
| Xipaya language | 2 (2000 SIL). | ||||||
| width=200pt | Language | width=250pt | Comments | width=250pt | Speakers | width=100pt | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aymara language | Red Book | ||||||
| Huilliche language | Red Book | ||||||
| Kawesqar language | Alacaluf | 20 (1996 Oscar Aguilera) Population includes 10 in Puerto Eden. | Red Book | ||||
| Mapuche language | Red Book | ||||||
| Ona language | Red Book | ||||||
| Yaghan language | extinct (2022) | ||||||
See main article: List of endangered languages in Colombia.
| width=200pt | Language | width=250pt | Comments | width=250pt | Speakers | width=100pt | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achuar-Shiwiar language | Red Book | ||||||
| Awapit language | Red Book | ||||||
| Chachi language | Red Book | ||||||
| Cofán language | Red Book | ||||||
| Epera language | Red Book | ||||||
| Huaorani language | Red Book | ||||||
| Secoya language | Red Book | ||||||
| Shuar language | Red Book | ||||||
| Siona language | Red Book | ||||||
| Tsafiqui language | Red Book | ||||||
| Zaparo language | 1 (2000 SIL) 170 (2000 M R Wise SIL). | ||||||
| width=200pt | Language | width=250pt | Comments | width=250pt | Speakers | width=100pt | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arawak language | Red Book | ||||||
| Emerillon language | 400 | Red Book | |||||
| Galibi language | Red Book | ||||||
| Palikur language | Red Book | ||||||
| Wayana language | Red Book | ||||||
| Wayapi language | Red Book | ||||||
| width=200pt | Language | width=250pt | Comments | width=250pt | Speakers | width=100pt | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akawaio language | Red Book | ||||||
| Arekuna language | Red Book | ||||||
| Karina language | Red Book | ||||||
| Lokono language | Red Book | ||||||
| Makushi language | Red Book | ||||||
| Mawayana language | 50 (1986 Howard) | ||||||
| Patamona language | Red Book | ||||||
| Wapishana language | Red Book | ||||||
| Warao language | Red Book | ||||||
| width=200pt | Language | width=250pt | Comments | width=250pt | Speakers | width=100pt | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ache language | Red Book | ||||||
| Angaite language | Red Book | ||||||
| Ava-Guarani language | Red Book | ||||||
| Ayoreo language | Red Book | ||||||
| Enlhet language | Red Book | ||||||
| Guana language | Red Book | ||||||
| Guarani-Nandeva language | Red Book | ||||||
| Guarayo language | Red Book | ||||||
| Ishir language | Red Book | ||||||
| Maka language | Red Book | ||||||
| Manjui language | Red Book | ||||||
| Mbya language | Red Book | ||||||
| Nivacle language | Red Book | ||||||
| Pai-Tavytera language | Red Book | ||||||
| Sanapana language | Red Book | ||||||
| Toba-Maskoy language | Red Book | ||||||
| Toba-Qom language | Red Book | ||||||
| width=200pt | Language | width=250pt | Comments | width=250pt | Speakers | width=100pt | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akurio language | 10 (2000 E.B. Carlin) | ||||||
| Carib language | Red Book | ||||||
| Lokono language | Red Book | ||||||
| Mawayana language | Red Book | ||||||
| Sikiana language | 15 in Suriname (2001 Carlin). | ||||||
| Trio language | Red Book | ||||||
| Tunayana language | Red Book | ||||||
| Wayana language | Red Book | ||||||