An endangered language is a language that is at risk of falling out of use, generally because it has few surviving speakers. If a language loses all of its native speakers, it becomes an extinct language. UNESCO defines four levels of language endangerment between "safe" (not endangered) and "extinct":
- Vulnerable
- Definitely endangered
- Severely endangered
- Critically endangered
| Language Endangerment Status by UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger category | |
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| Extinct (EX) | |
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| Endangered | |
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| Safe | |
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Related topics
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UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger categories | |
Table of Languages:
| Language | Status | Number of Native Speakers | Language Family | Province(s) / Territories Spoken |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algonquin/Anishinàbemiwin | Vulnerable | 3,320 (2016) | Algonquian languages | Ontario, Quebec |
| Aivilingmiutut/Aivilik | Vulnerable | Eskaleut languages | Nunavut | |
| Assiniboine | Critically endangered | 150 (2007) | Siouan languages | Saskatchewan; Montana (United States) |
| Atikamekw | Vulnerable | 6,200 (2016) | Algonquian languages | Quebec |
| Blackfoot/Siksiká | Definitely endangered | 2,900 (2016) | Algonquian languages | Alberta; Montana (United States) |
| Bungee | Critically endangered | < 200 (1993) | Indo-European languages (Germanic languages) | Manitoba |
| Cayuga (Canada) | Critically endangered | < 55 (2015) | Iroquoian languages | Ontario; New York (United States) |
| Central Ojibwa | Vulnerable | 8,000 (2007) | Algonquian languages | Ontario |
| Chilcotin/Tsilhqotʹin | Severely endangered | 860 (2014) | Athabaskan languages | British Columbia |
| Chinook Jargon | Critically endangered | 1 (2013) | Wakashan languages | British Columbia, Yukon; Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington (United States) |
| Chipewyan/Dene/Dënesųłiné | Vulnerable | 11,325 (2016) | Athabaskan languages | Alberta, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan |
| Comox-Sliammon/ʔayajuθəm | Critically endangered | ~47 (2018) | Salishan languages | British Columbia |
| Dakota | Critically endangered | 290 (2016) | Siouan languages | Manitoba, Saskatchewan; Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota (United States) |
| Dane-zaa/Beaver | Definitely endangered | 270 (2021) | Dene–Yeniseian languages | Alberta, British Columbia |
| Dogrib/Tłı̨chǫ | Definitely Endangered | 1,735 (2016) | Athabaskan languages | Northwest Territories |
| Eastern Cree/James Bay Cree | Vulnerable | 400 (2016) | Algonquian languages | Quebec |
| Eastern Ojibwe/Ojibwa | Severely endangered | 26,000 (1998) | Algonquian languages | Ontario |
| Gitxsan | Severely endangered | 1,020 (2016) | Tsimshianic languages | British Columbia |
| Gwich'in | Severely endangered | ~560 (2007–2016) | Athabaskan languages | Northwest Territories, Yukon; Alaska (United States) |
| Haisla | Critically endangered | 240 (2014) | Wakashan languages | British Columbia |
| Halkomelem/Hul'qumi'num | Severely endangered | 100–260 (2014) | Salishan languages | British Columbia; Washington (United States) |
| Hän/Han | Critically endangered | 6 (2020) | Athabaskan languages | Yukon; Alaska (United States) |
| Heiltsuk/Bella Bella | Critically endangered | 220 (2016) | Wakashan languages | British Columbia |
| Innu/Eastern Montagnais | Vulnerable | 10,075 (2016) | Algonquian languages | Labrador, Quebec |
| Inuinnaqtun | Definitely endangered | 1,310 (2016) | Eskaleut languages | Northwest Territories, Nunavut |
| Inuit Sign Language/Inuiuuk | Critically endangered | 47 (2000) | Language isolate | Nunavut |
| Inupiaq/Alaskan Inuit (Canada) | Severely endangered | 1,250 (2023) | Eskaleut languages | Northwest Territories; Alaska (United States) |
| Kaska | Severely endangered | 240 (2016) | Athabaskan languages | British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon |
| Kivallirmiutut/Kivalliq | Vulnerable | Eskaleut languages | Nunavut | |
| Kutenai | Severely endangered | 345 (2010–2016) | Language isolate | British Columbia; Idaho, Montana (United States) |
| Kwak'wala | Critically endangered | 150 (2021) | Wakashan languages | British Columbia |
| Lillooet/St̓át̓imcets | Severely endangered | 120 | Salishan languages | British Columbia |
| Malecite-Passamaquoddy | Definitely endangered | 310 (2021) | Algonquian languages | New Brunswick; Maine (United States) |
| Maritime Sign Language | Critically endangered | 90 (2009) | BANZSL | New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island |
| Maniwaki Algonquin/Southern Anishinàbemiwin | Severely endangered | 3,330 (2016) | Algonquian languages | Ontario, Quebec |
| Michif | Critically endangered | 1,800 (2021) | Plains Cree and Métis French | Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan; North Dakota (United States) |
| Mi'kmaq/Migmaw(Canada) | Vulnerable | 7,140 (2016) | Algonquian languages | New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island; Maine (United States) |
| Mohawk/Kanienʼkéha (Canada) | Definitely endangered | 3,875 (2011–2016) | Iroquoian languages | Ontario, Quebec; New York (United States) |
| Moose Cree/Ililîmowin | Vulnerable | 3,000 (2007) | Algonquian languages | Ontario |
| Munsee/Munsee Lenape/Ontario Delaware (Canada) | Critically endangered | 1 (2022) | Algonquian languages | Ontario |
| Naskapi/Iyuw Iyimuun | Vulnerable | 1,230 (2016) | Algonquian languages | Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec |
| Natsilingmiutut/Netsilik | Vulnerable | Eskaleut languages | Nunavut | |
| Nisga'a | Severely endangered | 470 (2016) | Tsimshianic languages | British Columbia |
| Nootka/Nuu-chah-nulth | Severely endangered | 945 (2021) | Wakashan languages | British Columbia |
| North Slavey | Definitely endangered | Athabaskan languages | Northwest Territories | |
| Northern Haida | Critically endangered | Language isolate | British Columbia; Alaska (United States) | |
| Northern Tutchone | Definitely endangered | 360 (2016) | Athabaskan languages | Yukon |
| Northwestern Ojibwe | Vulnerable | 20,000 (2000) | Algonquian languages | Manitoba, Ontario |
| Inuttitut/Nunatsiavummiutut/Nunatsiavut | Vulnerable | Eskaleut languages | Newfoundland and Labrador | |
| Nuxalk/Bella Coola | Critically endangered | 17 (2014) | Salishan languages | British Columbia |
| Oji-Cree/Severn Ojibwa | Vulnerable | 13,630 (2016) | Algonquian languages | Manitoba, Ontario |
| Okanagan | Definitely endangered | 125 (2007–2014) | Salishan languages | British Columbia; Washington (United States) |
| Oneida | Critically endangered | 210 (2021) | Iroquoian languages | Ontario; New York, Wisconsin (United States) |
| Onondaga | Critically endangered | 40 (2007) | Iroquoian languages | Ontario; New York (United States) |
| Odawa | Severely endangered | 5,108 | Algonquian languages | Ontario; Michigan, Oklahoma (United States) |
| Plains Cree | Vulnerable | 3,200 (2001–2016) | Algonquian languages | Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan; Montana (United States) |
| Potawatomi | Critically endangered | 5 (2018) | Algonquian languages | Ontario; Indiana, Kansas Michigan, Oklahoma, Wisconsin (United States) |
| Qikiqtaaluk Nigiani/South Baffin dialect | Vulnerable | Eskaleut languages | Nunavut | |
| Qikiqtaaluk Uannangani/North Baffin dialect | Vulnerable | Eskaleut languages | Nunavut | |
| Rigolet Inuktitut | Critically endangered | Eskaleut languages | Nunavut | |
| Sarcee/Tsuutʼina | Critically endangered | 80 (2016) | Athabaskan languages | Alberta |
| Saulteaux/Nakawēmowin | Vulnerable | 10,000 (2002) | Algonquian languages | Manitoba, Saskatchewan |
| Sechelt | Critically endangered | 2 (2019) | Salishan languages | British Columbia |
| Sekani | Critically endangered | 35 (2021) | Athabaskan languages | British Columbia |
| Seneca | Critically endangered | 100 (2007) | Iroquoian languages | Ontario; New York (United States) |
| Shuswap /Secwepemctsín | Definitely endangered | 200 (2014) | Salishan languages | British Columbia |
| Sallirmiutun | Severely endangered | Eskaleut languages | Northwest Territories | |
| South Slavey | Definitely endangered | Athabaskan languages | Northwest Territories | |
| Southern Haida | Critically endangered | Language isolate | British Columbia; Alaska (United States) | |
| Southern Tutchone | Critically endangered | 360 (2016) | Athabaskan languages | Yukon |
| Squamish/Sḵwx̱wú7mesh | Critically endangered | 25 (2021) | Salishan languages | British Columbia |
| Stoney/Nakota/Nakoda | Vulnerable | 3,025 (2016) | Siouan languages | Alberta |
| North Straits Salish | Severely endangered | 105 (2016) | Salishan languages | British Columbia; Washington (United States) |
| Swampy Cree/Maskekon/Omaškêkowak | Vulnerable | 1,805 (2016) | Algonquian languages | Ontario |
| Tahltan | Critically endangered | 235 (2021) | Athabaskan languages | British Columbia |
| Thompson/Nlaka'pamuctsin | Severely endangered | 105 (2022) | Salishan languages | British Columbia; Washington (United States) |
| Tlingit | Critically endangered | 170 (2016–2020) | Dene–Yeniseian languages | British Columbia, Yukon; Alaska, Washington (United States) |
| Coast Tsimshian/Sm'álgyax | Critically endangered | 278 (2020) | Tsimshianic languages | British Columbia; Alaska (United States) |
| Upper Tanana/Nabesna | Critically endangered | 110 (1997–2007) | Athabaskan languages | Yukon; Alaska (United States) |
| Western Abenaki/Wôbanakiôdwawôgan | Critically endangered | 14 (2007–2012) | Algonquian languages | New Brunswick, Quebec; Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont (United States) |
| Woods Cree/Bush Cree | Vulnerable | 1,800 (2016) | Algonquian languages | Manitoba, Saskatchewan |
Changes in Canadian Endangered Languages
Oneida
- Critically Endangered
There is a "phonological process" in the Oneida language that has been passed down for generations. This process is described as the loss of voicing in the vowel of the last syllable of a word. It is vital to the preservation of the language, and has been changing among the speakers, such that some speakers have introduced a degree of voiced vowels in these final forms, which poses additional stress on the small population of speakers. The introduction of voicing the last syllable in words that typically are unvoiced changes the traditional morphology of the language, pushing the original dialect towards language death, especially since the majority of speakers are older in age. It is part of the Iroquoian language family.
Blackfoot
- Definitely Endangered
The Blackfoot language features the loss of voicing in the last syllable of a word, which is typically inaudible. Certain inflections and the use of inaudible vowels has been identified as "old Blackfoot" (traditional), and are not in frequent use by younger speakers. Similarly, a minority of Blackfoot speakers use the "soundless" suffixes, which is pushing the traditional language towards more extreme language endangerment and potentially language death. It is part of the Algonquian language family.
Chipewyan
- Definitely Endangered
The Chipewyan language exhibits morphological characteristics that are far more complex than the majority of European languages. This includes conditioning of tone and morphology of phonemes, as well as frequent contractions, elisions, metatheses, and consonantal substitutions. Chipewyan is mainly endangered due to its complex structure, which makes it difficult to decipher the morphological code, as well as the fact that the majority of the speakers are in their mid-late adulthood. It is part of the Athapaskan language family.
Assiniboine
Also called Nakoda or Hohe
- Critically Endangered
Assinibone is one of the language divisions out of five main language divisions within the Dakotan group of the Siouan family. The sound of this language differs from the other languages in the group because it merges voiceless stops with voiced stops. There are reports that syllabaries have been used by Assinibone speakers. [citation needed] The Assiniboine language is spread over 2 communities in Canada, and is mainly used by older adults.
Central Ojibwe
Also called Anishinaabemowin, Ojibway, and Chippewa
- Definitely Endangered
There are about 8,000 speakers of the Central Ojibwe language, and it is spread over 16 communities in Canada. The language is spoken from Ontario to Manitoba. It is also spoken in places from Michigan to Montana next to the Great Lakes which is the home of the Ojibwe people. The language today is spoken by people over the age of 70. The people of the Ojibwe language note that double vowels in their language are treated as standing for unit sounds, therefore they are alphabetized after corresponding single values. [citation needed]
Lakota
- Critically Endangered
There are about 6,000 speakers in the Northern Plain States of North Dakota and South Dakota. Most native speakers are in their mid-50s. There is a growing interest to revitalize the language. At the Red Cloud Indian school, there are immersion classes for children to teach the language. However, at the moment, there are no children on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation that are fluent in the language. Within the next ten years, it is expected that there will be children fluent in Lakota. It is mutually intelligible with Dakota and part of the Siouan language family.
Dakota
- Definitely Endangered
There are about 20,000 native speakers, primarily in the North Dakota and South Dakota area, and additionally a speaker community of about 4,000 in Minnesota. Dakota Wicohon is an after-school camp that helps children learn the language, since it is not taught in the government-run boarding schools for American Indian youth. To help preservation efforts, technology like phraselators come into play, allowing learners to type in the words they want or orally speak the word they want and the machine will find it for them. It is mutually intelligible with Lakota and part of the Siouan language family.
Dogrib
Also called Tlinchon
- Vulnerable
There are about 2,640 speakers of the language in the Canadian Northwest Territories from the Great Slave Lake to the Great Bear Lake. Dogrib phonology is rather intricate and is organized into 5 levels. The first person to write a book in Dogrib was Herb Zimmerman, who translated the Bible into the language in 1981. Unlike many other Native American languages, there are children who are fluent in the language. It is part of the Northern Athabaskan language family.
Kaska
- Severely Endangered
Kaska was typically a First Nations speaking language, and mainly lived in northern British Columbia and some from southeast Yukon in Canada. People who speak Kaska today still live within the British Columbia and Yukon Territory area. The speakers are elders, such as grandparents, and their children and grandchildren would speak English. First Nations have started work to re-create and preserve their heritage language. It is part of the Athabaskan language family.
Ottawa
Also called Odawa
- Severely Endangered
The number of people who speak the Ottawa dialect is unknown, though it is predicted to be around 13,000. Native communities received $5 million a year for 7 years (2007–2014) to help them in their efforts to preserve their languages and teach it to their children. The language is written with Latin letters and is a dialect of the Ojibwe language. Many descendants of migrants now live in Kansas and Oklahoma.[citation needed]
Stoney
Also called Nakoda or Alberta Assiniboine
- Vulnerable
There are roughly 3,200 people who speak Stoney in the Northern Plains and the Alberta province of Canada. Stoney uses the Latin alphabet. The stress is one of the harder aspects about the language. The Stoney Indian Language Project was created to help make a standard format of the Stoney language. The project created 6 books for adults and children, as well as a videotape for third graders. Stoney is part of the Siouan language family.
Potawatomi
- Critically Endangered
The Potawatomi Language is critically endangered because there are only 52 fluent speakers left surrounding the Great Lakes region in Michigan. Within a decade, those who are fluent (the majority being the elderly) will soon be dead, causing the culture to die out with them, along with the knowledge of history that has been passed down from previous generations. English has become the predominant language spoken in homes due to the halt of parents speaking Potawatomi to children from 20 to more than 50 years ago. Currently there are no teachings of the language but there are revitalization efforts to bring back the language and the culture that could possibly be gone forever. Potawatomi is a Central Algonquian Language.
Tuscarora
- Critically Endangered
Tuscarora entails complex morphology dealing with the copying of words, roots, stems, and affixes. Historically, the language was situated in North Carolina There was a time where the Tuscarora language was spoken 'as the mother tongue,' used for all situations, (formal and informal) but now there are approximately only four to five remaining elders who are fluent in the language. All of the elders are around the ages of seventy to eighty years old, where a possible result is the extinction of the Tuscarora language. It is a Northern Iroquoian Language.
Cayuga
- Critically Endangered
The Native American Cayuga speaking people are located in Oklahoma and Ontario. With the splitting of the people into two geographical locations, they now begin to differ in terms of language usage, morphology and phonology. In the setting of Oklahoma, Cayuga has become influenced by other tribes and has, to a certain extent, lost its original vocabulary. Cayuga contains a pitch accent where the placement of it can be predicted by metrical structure and constraints on the structure of the syllables. It is a Northern Iroquoian Language.
Upper Tanana Language
- Critically Endangered
The Upper Tanana Language originally was spoken in only five villages, each with a different dialect. Those villages were Beaver Creek, Scottie Creek, Northway, Nabesna, and Tetlin. Today, the language is only spoken by about 95 people, above the age of 50, in eastern interior Alaska. Depending on the dialect, the Upper Tanana Language has about six to seven phonemic vowels. The primary difference between the dialects is the pitch of the tone. Also a major factor in the split of different dialects is that different dialects have different vowel inventories.
Nootka
Also called Nuu-chah-nulth language.
- Severely Endangered
Despite misinterpretation of studies which describe the phonetic inventory of Nootka, these studies do not suggest that its phonemic inventory is the main reason why the Nootka language may be severely endangered. [citation needed] A process known as glottalization is a key factor in being able to articulate certain sounds in the language, called ejective consonants. Though these sounds are not found in English, they are not linguistically rare. Many languages with large speaker communities, including Arabic and Amharic, contain these sounds, an observation which discredits this theory. It is clear that Nootka, like all Canadian aboriginal languages, is endangered due to social factors alone.
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