The following purported languages of South America are listed as unclassified in either Campbell (2024), Loukotka (1968),Ethnologue Glottolog
Campbell (2024) lists the following languages of South America as unclassified. Most are extinct.[ 1] Loukotka (1968)[ 2] Adelaar & Muysken (2004).[ 3] Ethnologue
Pantanal Aconipa (Tabancale, Tabancara) – Ecuador; only 5 words known, which are dissimilar to other languagesAguano (Awano, Ahuano, Uguano, Aguanu, Santa Crucino) – Peru; completely unattested but thought to beArawakan Huallaga River [ 4] [ 4] Amikoana (Amikuân, Amicuan) – Brazil; appears to be nonexistent and is certainly extinct now,[ 5] Wayana ,Arakajú andApalaí Anserma (includingCaramanta , Cartama) – Colombia, is consideredChocoan Arda Popo (Gen))Arma (Arma-Pozo) – Colombia; known from 1 word only[ 3] Aticum (Araticum, Uamué) – Brazil; data from Meader (1978) likely to be faked[ 6] [ 3] Baenan (Baenã) – Brazil; only 9 words knownBagua – Peru; only 3 words known, thought to beCariban [ 3] Patagón Barbacoas (Barbácoa, Colima) – Colombia; ISO 639 code retired in 2020 for being nonexistent[ 7] Bolona – Ecuador; linked withChicham andCañari Cabixi (Kabixi) - Mato Grosso, Brazil; a short word-list.[ 8] Kabixí ' is a generic name for any hostile group, and has been used for a number of unattested and already known languages. It may be tonal.[ 9] Cagua – Colombia; ISO 639 code retired as spurious[ 10] Caimbé (Kaimbé, Caimbe) – Brazil; extinct, known from 7 wordsTsafiki , but unconfirmedCanelo (Penday) – Ecuador; synonym ofShiwiar Cara (Scyri, Caranqui, Otavalo) – Ecuador; thought to be Barbacoan[ 3] Kashibo Carari – Brazil, Amazonas; a short word-list recorded byJohann Natterer which shows no resemblance to known languages, but possibly ArawakanCatuquinaru – Brazil; known only from a short wordlist.[ 11] Cauca – Colombia; retired from ISO 639 for being nonexistent or synonymous withQuimbaya [ 12] Caucahue – southern Chile; retired from ISO 639 for being nonexistent[ 13] Chachapoya (Chacha) – Peru; known entirely from toponyms and family names, linked withCahuapanan ,Hibito–Cholon ,Copallén and the hypothetical-cat Cajamarca Department Chechehet ("Pampa") – Argentina; Loukotka (1968) gives the wordschivil 'two',chu 'earth', andhati 'great'. Is the same asGününa Küne .[ 14] Chipiajes – Colombia; retired from ISO 639 in 2016[ 15] Chono – Ecuador; synonym ofTsafiki according to Loukotka (1968) [ 6] -nawa [ 4] [ 16] Pijao Colima – Ecuador; classified as Barbacoan by Loukotka (1968) and distinct from the possibly Cariban Colima above [ 4] Comechingón – near Córdoba, Argentina; possibly Huarpean, very few words knownCopallén (Copallín) – Peru; only 4 words knownCoxima (Koxima) – Colombia; retired from ISO 639 in 2016[ 17] Cumeral – Colombia; retired from ISO 639 in 2016[ 18] Diaguita (Cacan, Kakán) – northwest Argentina; subdivisions are Calchaquí, Capayán, Catamarcano, Hualfín, Paccioca [Pazioca], Pular, Quilme, YacampisGününa Küne [ 6] Emok – Paraguay; retired in 2014 for being nonexistent, is not the name of any language[ 19] [ 20] Ewarhuyana – Brazil; 12 Ewarhuyana people in Pará State,[ 21] Tiriyó Fulniô according to theFulni-ô ethnic group[ 6] Gamela (Gamela of Viana, Curinsi, Acobu, Gamella) – Maranhão, Brazil, 19 words[ 22] Garañun – Brazil; listed by Louktka (1968) as aXukuruan language but undocumented Gorgotoqui – Bolivia; all documentation lost, possiblyBororoan guaca [ 23] Guanaca – Colombia; possibly a relative of Guambiano (Barbacoan)Wayuu Himarimã – Brazil; uncontacted group, apparently Arawan based off of lost wordlistHuamachi – Peru Humahuaca (Omaguaca) – Argentina; known from only proper names, apparent subdivisions are Fiscara, Jujuy, Ocloya, Osa, Purmamarca, Tiliar; Mason (1950:302) proposed an "Ataguitan" grouping that includes Humahuaca, Diaguita, and AtacameñoAguaruna people Iapama – Brazil; retired in 2016 from ISO 639[ 24] [ 25] [ 26] tubete [ 27] Hijuoba Bahía Solano to Cape Marzo in Colombia (Loukotka 1968)Sirionó or Papiamän[ 6] [ 28] Man of the Hole )Yurumangui , but no dataPankararú Kamba (Camba) – Brazil; retired as spurious from ISO 639[ 29] Kambiwá (Cambiuá, Cambioá) – Brazil; extinct and known from only a few words[ 30] Kantaruré [ 31] [ 32] Kapinawá – Brazil; extinct, possibly descended from theParatió Karahawyana (Karapawyana, Karafawyana) – Brazil; now classified as a dialect of theWaiwai language Katembri (Kariri de Mirandela) – BrazilKohoroxitari – possibly Tucanoan; is actually the name of aSanöma -speaking villageKorubo [ 6] Enlhet-Enenlhet -speaking groupYurumangui , but no dataMalibú – Colombia; formerly considered ChibchanMashco – Peru; uncontacted, possibly related to Piro (Arawakan), or "Preandine" (Arawakan), known from 24 wordsTonocoté [ 33] Maynas Maxiena (Ticomeri) – Bolivia; completely unknownMayo (Panoan) orMorike (Arawakan);mayu is the Quechuan word for 'river, water'Mocana – Brazil; may be related toMalibú , but only 2 words knownMocoa – Colombia; may be related toKamëntšá Miarrã – BrazilMure – Bolivia; apparently notChapacuran as previously thought [ 34] Natagaimas – Colombia; extinct, retired from ISO 639 as a synonym of Pijao[ 35] Natú – Brazil; known from 18 words, unclassifiedNori – Colombia; unclassifiable for lack of data Olmos – Peru; possibly connected withSechura Omejes – Colombia; retired in 2016 from ISO 639[ 36] Otí (Eochavante, Chavante) – Brazil; Greenberg classifies it as Macro-Gê, though this is unlikely according to Ribeiro (2006:422), otherwise considered isolate, only 110 words knownPacabuey – Colombia; may be Malibú, but no dataPanche – Colombia; possibly CaribanPankararé (Pankaré) – Bahía, Brazil; extinct and unattested, can only be assumed to be a dialect of PankararúPankararú – Brazil; too poorly known to be classified but sometimes considered an isolatePantágora (Palenque) – ColombiaPapavô – Brazil; uncontacted, may be Arawakan or Panoan (?), according to Glottolog, refers to groups ofHarákmbut ,Kulina ,Amawaka andYawanawa [ 37] Patagón – Peru; possibly Cariban, only 4 known words[ 4] Pehuenche (Peguenche) – Argentina; distinct fromPehuenche dialect of MapudungunPijao (Piajao, Pixao, Pinao) – Colombia; sometimes grouped with CaribanPipipan [pt ] (Pipipã) – BrazilPonares – Colombia; retired from ISO 639 in 2016[ 38] Popayan ) – Colombia; linked with Coconucan languages[ 39] Puscajae (Pile) – Colombia; classified as Yurumanguí by Loukotka (1968) [ 40] [ 41] zobá 'moon' andafia 'bow'[ 42] Camsá , speakers ofa language isolate ) are descended, at least in part, from the QuillasingaQuimbaya – Colombia; may be Chocó, but only 8 words are knownKambiwá Quingnam – Peru; extinct, possibly the same as and geographcally related to Lengua (Yunga) Pescadora of colonial sources; according to Quilter et al. (2010), a list of numbers was recently foundsic Rabona – Ecuador; possibly Candoshi (Murato), but there are similarities with Aguaruna (Jivaroan)Ramanos – Bolivia; known from 8 wordsSácata (Sacata, Zácata, Chillao) – Peru; extinct; may be Candoshi or Arawakan, but only 3 words knownSanavirón – Argentina, near Córdova. Loukotka classified it as an isolate, but there is insufficient data (only 6 or 7 words) to justify this.[ 6] Shinabo – Bolivia; unattested but apparently related toChácobo Sinú (Zenú) – Colombia; may be Chocó, but no dataEnimaga -Guentuse"[ 43] Suruim – Brazil; apparently synonymous withSurui (Paiter)Taluhet – Argentina; see ChechehetChapacura language [ 6] Tapeba [ 44] Tarairiú (Tarairiu, Ochucuyana) – BrazilCaquetío by Loukotka (1968)[ 4] Andaquí (isolate) but no dataTingui-Boto – Brazil; extinct; also known as Tingui, Tingui-Botó, Carapató, Karapató, Tingui-Botó people were also calledWakoná ,[ 45] Dzubukuá [ 46] Tomedes – Colombia; retired from ISO 639 in 2016[ 47] Tonocoté – Argentina, Chaco region; known from one sentenceTruká – Brazil; unattestedTremembé (Teremembé, Taramembé) – Brazil; unattestedQuerandí and Chechehet; is apparently a name for certain regional groups of Querandí[ 6] Tuxá – Brazil; wordlists are inconsistentUnainuman (Vuainuman)[ 48] [ 49] Uru-Pa-In – Brazil; possibly Tupian language of isolated groupWaitaká (Guaitacá, Goyatacá, Goytacaz) – Brazil; subdivisions are Mopi, Yacorito, Wasu, Miri, possiblyPurian Wakoná (Wacona, Acona) – Brazil; unattestedWamoé – Brazil; wordlists likely to be fakedWasu (Waçu, Wassu) – Brazil; unattested[ 4] Xaray (Xaraye) – Bolivia; synonymous withSaraveca , an Arawakan language[ 50] Xipináwa – Brazil; claimed to be Panoan but unattested Xokó (Chocó, Shoco, Shokó, Chocaz) – Brazil; only a few words knownAntioquian (Chibchan), but only 1 word knownYarí – Colombia; may be a Carijona (Cariban) dialect, West Tucanoan, or Huitoto(an), retired from ISO 639 in 2016[ 51] Opone (Karaib), but no data (Yarigui people )Panzaleo , but no dataLoukotka (1968) lists the following languages of South America as unclassified. They are extinct unless otherwise noted.
Southern South America and Chacos Region [ edit ] Divisions A (South) and B (Chaco) (Loukotka 1968: 63):
Aperea – unknown language of the old mission ofSantiago Sánchez in the province of Corrientes, Argentina. Axata Darpa – unknown language of an unknown tribe of theGran Chaco of Paraguay. Casota – unknown language of the old mission ofSanta Lucía, Corrientes , Argentina. Culaycha – unknown language of the old mission ofSanta Lucía, Corrientes , Argentina. Dawainomol – unknown language from theGran Chaco of Paraguay. Divihet –Colorado River andSauce Chico River , province of La Pampa, Argentina.Egualo – unknown language of the old mission ofSantiago Sánchez , province of Corrientes, Argentina. Emischata – unknown language of the old mission ofSanta Lucía, Corrientes , Argentina. Jaguanan –Iguape , Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Kaguan – mission ofSantiago Sánchez , Corrientes, Argentina. Kurumro – language of an unknown tribe of the ParaguayanGran Chaco . Malquesi – western shore ofLaguna Porongos , province of Córdoba, Argentina. Masa – unknown language of the old mission ofSantiago Sánchez . Ohoma – extinct and unknown language near the old mission of Homa or Ohoma, province of Corrientes, Argentina. Peguenche non-araucano – a lost language of the Neuquén province, Argentina. Quelosi – unknown language east of theMar Chiquita , province of Córdoba, Argentina. Sintó or Assek or Upsuksinta – language of an unknown tribe in the interior of theGran Chaco of Paraguay, north of theChoroti tribe. Stanatevogyet – unknown language of the ParaguayanGran Chaco . Santa Lucía, Corrientes province.Taguaylen – lost language of the old mission ofSanta Lucía, Corrientes province. Division C (Central Brazil) (Loukotka 1968: 86–87):
Arae – unknown language left bank of theAraguaia River south ofBananal Island . Buritiguara – unknown language state of Mato Grosso near the confluence of theAraguaia River andManso River . Cahan – Iguatimí River (Iguatemi River ) andEspocil River , state of Mato Grosso. Curumiá – sources of theBrilhante River , Mato Grosso. Cutaguá – state of Mato Grosso on theDourados River . Gaelio – state of Espirito Santo, exact locality unknown. Guadaxo – upper course of theAnhandui River , Mato Grosso. Guaimute – near the falls of Salto Grande, Espirito Santo. Guariteré – Mato Grosso, exact locality unknown. Imaré –Taquari River , state of Mato Grosso. Ina – unknown language,Paranaíba River , Mato Grosso. Iñajurupé – lost language of the old mission ofGracioso, Goiás state. Jurema – unknown language of Piauí state, exact locality unknown. Kokakôre – Mato Grosso state along theTocantins River . Komokare – unknown language of Goiás state, exact locality unknown. Koróge – Pogúbe River (Poguba River ), Mato Grosso. Kururu – state of Mato Grosso on theCarinhanha River . Macuruné – Mucunis River (Mucuri River ?), state of Minas Gerais. Papana – between theDoce River andJequitinhonha River , Minas Gerais. Urupuca – Urupuca River (Urupaça River ), Minas Gerais. Ururi – state of Mato Grosso, exact location unknown. Vanherei – sources of thePiquiri River , state of Mato Grosso. Yaperú or Naperú or Apirú – Paraguay near Asunción. Division D (Northeast Brazil) (Loukotka 1968: 92–95):
Aconan orWakoná – originally spoken aroundLagoa Comprida and inPenedo ; now survivors of the original tribe who speak only Portuguese are found in the city ofPorto Real do Colégio . Anicun – source of the Uruhu River (Uru River ) andDos Bois River . Apitupá – unknown language,Aquitipi River , Bahia state. Aramurú – state of Sergipe on theSão Francisco River . Arapoá – aroundJaboatão in the state of Pernambuco. Arariú – unknown language nearMeruoca on theAcatajú River , state of Ceará. Aticum or Araticum – Pernambuco, nearCarnaubeira . The survivors now speak only Portuguese. Avis – unknown language of the state of Pernambuco, valley of thePajeú River . Baixóta – now speak Portuguese in the SerraCatolé , Pernambuco. Boime or Poyme – state of Sergipe nearAracajú on theSão Francisco River . Caimbé – village ofMasacara nearMirandela , state of Bahia. The survivors now speak only Portuguese. Camaraxo – betweenIlhéus andSerra dos Aimorés , state of Bahia. Cambioá –Serra Negra , Pernambuco state. Cararú or Cajurú –Soroabé Island in theSão Francisco River , Pernambuco state. Caripó or Curupehe –São Francisco River nearBoa Vista , Pernambuco. Caxago – state of Sergipe on theSão Francisco River . Ceococe –São Pedro, Pernambuco andSerra Pão de Açúcar , Pernambuco. Foklása – state of Pernambuco in theSerra dos Cavalos . Galache – nearMacaubas , state of Bahia. Gambéla – unknown language nearOurém andSão José, Maranhão state. Guarino – middle course of theTijuco River , Mato Grosso. Itucá or Cuacá – originally spoken in theSerra Negra , Pernambuco state. The last survivors now speak only Portuguese. Jeriticó or Jiripancó – village ofPindaé nearBrejo dos Padres inTacaratu , Pernambuco. Survivors now speak only Portuguese. Jururu – state of Ceará, but exact location is unknown. Macamasu – the exact location of which is unknown. Macarú – village ofBrejo dos Padres ,Tacaratu . A few survivors now speak only Portuguese. Mairajiqui –Bahia de Todos os Santos , state of Bahia. Moriquito – Alagoas state on the lower course of theSão Francisco River . Nacai –Aquitipi River , Bahia. Ocren – Bahia on theSão Francisco River nearSalitre . Orí – Bahia, between theItapicuru River andVaza-Barris River . Pacarará – state of Pernambuco in theSerra Cacaréa andSerra Arapuá . Parapicó –Serra Comonati , Pernambuco. Peria or Poria – village ofRodelas , Bahia. A few survivors now speak only Portuguese. Pipipan – lower course of theMoxotó River , Pernambuco. Porcá – on Várgea Island in theSão Francisco River , Pernambuco. Porú or Procáze – originally spoken in theSerra Nhumarana andSerra Cassuca , later on theVárgea Islands andNossa Senhora de O Islands in theSão Francisco River . Now probably extinct. Quiambioá –Serra Negra , Pernambuco. Qurigmã – the first inhabitants of São Salvador Bay (Salvador, Bahia ), state of Bahia. Romarí or Omarí – originally spoken in theSerra de Pao de Açúcar , state of Pernambuco. Now there are a few survivors with an unknown language in the village ofPropriá , Sergipe state. Sacracrinha or Sequaquirihen – state of Bahia near the mouth of theSalitre River in theSão Francisco River . Tacarúba or Tacarua – island of Soroabé in theSão Francisco River , state of Pernambuco. Tamaquéu –São Francisco River in the state of Pernambuco, at the confluence with theSalitre River . Tchili – city ofCimbres , Pernambuco. Teremembe or Tremembé or Taramembé – originally spoken by a tribe on the coast between the mouth of theMonim River and the mouth of the Chorro River (Choró River ), state of Ceará. Tupijó – state of Bahia by the neighbors of theMaracá tribe. Uruma – state of Sergipe on theSão Francisco River . Vouve –Piancó River , Pernambuco state. Walêcoxô – unknown language from the city ofCimbres , Pernambuco. Xibata – unknown language of a tribe in the state of Ceará. Exact location is unknown. North Central South America [ edit ] Tropical North Central South America (Loukotka 1968: 165–168):
Aburuñe – Xarayes Lagoon (Pantanal ), Bolivia. Anetine – nearMojos , Bolivia. Apiyipán – language of an unknown tribe of theAripuanã River , Amazonas. Artane – unknown language of Xarayes Lagoon (Pantanal ), Bolivia. Aueiko –Paranaíba River , Mato Grosso. Bakurönchichi – language of an unknown tribe of theBranco River , Rondônia. Bikutiakap – unknown language from Brazil, spoken on the right bank of thePimenta Bueno River . Bixarenren –Tiucunti River , a tributary of theJamachiua River , Rondônia. Cabixi –Steinen River , Mato Grosso.Cañacure –Mamoré River , Bolivia. Capua – spoken on theRolim de Moura River , Rondônia. Cayú – spoken on the left bank of thePimenta Bueno River , Rondônia. Churima – old mission ofSan José de Maharenos , Beni province, Bolivia. Cutriá – spoken on the middle course of theBranco River , Rondônia. Cuximiraíba – spoken at the mouth of theAripuanã River , Amazonas. Djupá – spoken on theJi-Paraná River , Rondônia. Dokoro –Paranaíba River , Mato Grosso. Duri –Paranaíba River , Mato Grosso. Erema –Paranaíba River , Mato Grosso. Guajarapo or Guasaroca – around Villa María andSanta Ana de Chiquitos , Santa Cruz province, Bolivia. Hiauahim or Javaim – "a tribe of cannibals" on the middle course of theTapajós River , Pará state, Brazil. Iruri – right bank of theMadeira River , between theMaici River andAripuanã River , Amazonas. Juruena – spoken on theJuruena River , Mato Grosso. Kiapüre or Quiapyre –Mequéns River , Rondônia. Koshurái – language of an unknown tribe on the lower course of theJi-Paraná River , Amazonas. Lambi – extinct language between theBranco River andSão Miguel River , Rondônia. Macuarê – spoken on the left bank of thePimenta Bueno River , Rondônia. Manesono or Mopeseano – old mission ofSan Francisco Borja , Beni province, Bolivia. Marapanã – spoken by an unknown tribe on the right bank of the Uaimberê River (Uimeerê River ), a tributary of thePimenta Bueno River , Rondônia. Maricoxi – sources of theBranco River , Rondônia. Maxiena or Ticomeri – Mojos Plains west of the mission ofTrinidad , Beni province, Bolivia. Minhahá –Paranaíba River , Mato Grosso. Muriva – mouth of the Jamachim River (Jamanxim River ) to theTapajós River , Pará state, Brazil. Nambu –Guapay River , Santa Cruz province, Bolivia. Nocadeth – spoken on theAripuanã River , state of Amazonas. Onicoré – between the mouths of theManicoré River andMarmelos River , state of Amazonas. Onoyóro –Paranaíba River , Mato Grosso. Ortue – on Xarayes Lagoon (Pantanal ), Bolivia. Papamiän – spoken on theSão Simão River , Rondônia. Paraparixami – between theManicoré River andAninde River , Amazonas. Patiti – Rondônia territory on the Mequéns River. Perovosan – south of the Xarayes Lagoon (Pantanal ), Bolivia. Piapai – between the Jamachim River (Jamanxim River ) andIriri River , state of Pará. Sacosi – ancientPuerto de los Reyes , Bolivia. Siberi – on Xarayes Lagoon (Pantanal ), Bolivia. Socorino – Bolivia. Surucosi – Bolivia. Suruim – spoken on the right bank of theMachado River , Rondônia. Tacunbiacu – between theGuapay River and theChiquitos Plains , Bolivia. Tamacosi –Guapay River near La Barranca, Santa Cruz province, Bolivia. Tamararé – sources of theJuruena River andGalera River , Mato Grosso. Tambaruré – Rondônia at the mouth of theApaxoná River . Tapacurá –Tapacurá-assú River , state of Pará. Tarimoxi – language of an unknown tribe to the north of theGuratégaja tribe, Rondônia. Tavúri –Paranaíba River , Mato Grosso. Tevircacap – spoken on the right bank of thePimenta Bueno River , Rondônia. Tiboi – unknown language, exact location unknown, Bolivia. Ticaõ or Tonore or Chikaõ – language of an unknown tribe on the right bank of theCuliseú River , a tributary of theXingú River , Mato Grosso. Tororí – right bank of theMadeira River north of theParintintin tribe, state of Amazonas. Tupiokón – unknown language spoken on thePaxiúba River , Mato Grosso. Urucuai –Corumbiara River , Rondônia. Xacuruina –Sangue River , Mato Grosso. Xaquese –Puerto de los Reyes , Bolivia. Xaray – Xarayes Lagoon (Pantanal ), Bolivia. Yauei – left bank of theMadeira River across from the mouth of theAripuanã River , state of Amazonas. Zurina – mouth of theMamoriá River , Amazonas. South Central South America [ edit ] Tropical South Central South America (Loukotka 1968: 178–179):
Alon –Huambo River, department of San Martín, Peru. Amasifuin – right bank of theHuallaga River , Peru. Ayacore –Curaray River , Loreto, Peru. Becaba – department of Loreto near San Miguel, on thePutumayo River . Bracamoro or Papamuru – near the city ofJaén , department of Cajamarca, Peru. Chedua – department of San Martín on theHuambo River. Chinchipe – department of Cajamarca on theChinchipe River . Monzón River andChinchao River, department of Huánuco.Cognomona – Cognomona region on the upper course of theHuallaga River . Comanahua – department of Huánuco by the neighbors of theTepqui tribe. Cumbazá or Belsano – between Santa Catalina andYanayacu , department of San Martín. Curizeta –Cosanga River , Loreto, Peru. Eimi – language of an unknown tribe that lived on theNapo River , department of Loreto. Ibabi Aniji – language of an unknown tribe of Peru. (Alvarez 1938) Muzapa – by the neighbors of theCognomona tribe in the department of San Martín. Otecua – spoken on theSucumbío River , Loreto. Payanso –Chipurana River, Loreto. Quidquidcana – department of Huánuco in the Magdalena Valley. Sapeiné – language of an unknown tribe of theNapo River , Loreto. Tepqui –Santa María River , Huánuco, Peru. Tingán – spoken at the mouth of theMonzón River, Huánuco. Tulumayo –Muna River ,Azul River , andAguaytia River , Huánuco. Wau – language of an unknown tribe on theCoca River , Loreto. Central South America [ edit ] Tropical Central South America (Loukotka 1968: 196–198):
Aarufi – unknown language from theQuebrada de Oksikgnaná , territory of Caquetá, Colombia. Acarapi –Parime River , territory of Rio Branco, Brazil. Alarua – between theJapurá River andAuatí-Paraná River , Amazonas state. Amoeca – language of an unknown tribe living on theMorarô River , state of Amazonas. Aracadaini –Corodoá River and Aroá River (Arauã River ), tributaries of the Cunhuá River (Cuniuá River ), state of Amazonas. Arda – between theNanay River and the upper course of theMazán River , Loreto, Peru. Bauá –Motum River andCorneg River , Amazonas. Cafuana –Japurá River south of theWariwa tribe. Capueni – between the Amazon River andIxié River , Amazonas. Caraguara – between the Amazon River andLake Anama . Carari – mouth of the Mucoin River (Mucum River ?), Amazonas. Casigara – mouth of theJuruá River . Cauacaua or Kawakawa –Japurá River . Cauni – between theJuruá River andJutaí River , Amazonas. Caupuna – mouth of thePurus River . Cumayari – spoken by an unknown tribe of the Cumayari region. Curi – Curi region south of thePariana tribe. Curuzirari – between the mouths of theJuruá River andTefé River . Cuxiuára – right bank of thePurus River near the mouth. Envuelto – language of an unknown tribe that lived on theQuebrada de Jirijirima , Caquetá territory, Colombia. Guanarú –Juruá River , north of theMarawa tribe, Amazonas, Brazil. Guyarabe – between the Amazon River andAuatí-Paraná River , Amazonas. Itipuna – between theJuruá River andJutaí River . Jacariá –Abuna River , territory of Rondônia, Brazil. Jaguanai – between the mouth of theJapurá River and theZuana tribe, Rondônia. Jarauára – unknown language of a tribe living on theApituán River andCuriá River , tributaries of theCataichi River , Amazonas. Macuja – spoken by an unknown tribe on thePoré River , Amazonas. Mamori – language of an unknown tribe on theCunhuá River . Mariman – spoken on theRiozinho River , tributary of theCunhuá River . Maripá –Tonantins River , Amazonas. Maruquevene – between the mouths of theJapurá River andAuatí-Paraná River . Masarari – south of theJutaí River , Amazonas. Mayu – unknown language spoken on theJaquirana River , tributary of the Javari River, Amazonas. Morua –Japurá River south of theMaruquevene tribe. Nauna –Jutaí River south of theMarawa tribe. Ñumasiara – unknown language spoken on theGiraparaná River andCanamari River . Paguara –Tefé River . Pariana – mouth of theAuatí-Paraná River , Amazonas. Pauana –Cafua River , Amazonas. Pocoana – between the Amazon River andLake Maracaparu . Taiguana – unknown language spoken in theSierra Araracuára , Caquetá territory, Colombia. Tamaní – unknown language spoken on theQuebrada de Tamaní in Caquetá territory, Colombia. Tobachana – between theJuruá River andJuri River south of theItipuna tribe, state of Amazonas. Tucumanduba – spoken on the upper course of theCanacau River , a tributary of theCunhuá River , Amazonas. Uaia –Içá River west of thePassé tribe. Uairua – between theJuruá River andJaracui River . Uauarate –Jutaí River north of theCatuquina tribe. Yenmu – unknown language spoken on theCure River , Amazonas territory, Colombia. Yoemanai – right bank and at the mouth of thePurus River , Amazonas state, Brazil. Yufiua – south of theCoeruna tribe on theJapurá River . Zuana – Amazon River south of the mouth of theCafua River , state of Amazonas. Northeast South America [ edit ] Tropical Northeast South America (Loukotka 1968: 228–230):
Amuimo – language of an unknown tribe that lived on theNhamundá River , state of Amazonas. Aramayu –Oiapoque River , Amapá territory, Brazil. Ararau – unknown language spoken on theJatapu River , state of Amazonas. Aroasene – unknown language spoken at the sources of theNhamundá River andJatapu River , state of Amazonas. Caapina – between theMaicuru River andJari River , state of Pará. Camare – Camoó River (Camaiú River ), a tributary of theTrombetas River , Amazonas. Carara – sources of theJatapu River , Amazonas. Cauauri – south of theCuranave tribe, Amazonas. Comanl – area north ofLake Saracó , state of Pará. Coritanaho –Ajubacabo River , a tributary of theTrombetas River , state of Pará. Curanave – west of theNegro River , Amazonas. Curiane – language of a tribe the location of which is not known exactly. Curierano – south of the sources of theOrinoco River , territory of Amazonas, Venezuela. Curubianan –Urubu River andJatapu River , Amazonas Damanivá – spoken on theIgarapé do Pacú ; a tributary of theCaratirimani River and in theSerra do Urubu , Rio Branco territory. Demacuri – spoken on the Caburi River (Cauaburi River ) near São Pedro, state of Amazonas. Goyana – lower course of theBranco River , territory of Rio Branco. Guanavena – between theUrubu River andJatapu River , Amazonas. Harritiahan – middle course of theMatapi River , Amapá territory. Macuani –Oiapoque River , Amapá territory. Maniba – unknown language spoken on theInirida River andPupunagua River , Vaupés territory, Colombia. Maracano – unknown language spoken on the central part ofMaracá Island , Rio Branco territory, Brazil. Maricupi – lower course of theMontoura River , Amapá territory. Menejou – middle course of theJarí River , Amapá territory. Mepuri – middle course of theNegro River , south of theBaré tribe, state of Amazonas. Moheyana – language of an unknown tribe that lived between theErepecurú River andAcapú River , state of Pará. Oivaneca –Tartarugal River , Amapá territory, Brazil. Pacimonari – lower course of theSiapa River , Amazonas territory, Venezuela. Pao –Pao River , state of Monagas, Venezuela. Paragoaru –Capó River . Seden – between theNegro River andUatumã River , Amazonas. Taminani –Uaçá River and Curupi River (Curapi River ), Amapá territory. All of the last survivors now speak only a French creole dialect. Tapuisú – mouth of theMaicurú River , Amapá territory. Taripio – unknown language of an unknown tribe that lived to the north of theRangú tribe in the frontier area of the Brazilian state of Pará and Dutch Guiana. Tchagoyána – unknown language spoken between theErepecurú River andAcapú River , state of Pará. Tchicoyna – unknown language spoken in the state of Pará, on theCuátari River . Tohazana – Venezuela. Uranaju – middle course of theAraguari River , Amapá. Waruwádu – language of an unknown tribe that lived between theVentuari River andErebato River , state of Bolívar; Venezuela. Xipará – between theUrubu River andJatapu River , state of Amazonas. Northern Andean region (Loukotka 1968: 259):
Chirú – southwest of theCoiba tribe, Panama. Santiago, Panama .Guenta – department of Huila, Colombia. Masaya – sources of theCaguán River , north of theGuaque tribe. Natá – onParita Bay , Panama. Otegua – department of Huila, Colombia. Urraca or Esquegua – north of the modern city ofCañazas , Panama. Yeral – unknown language of Colombia, exact location unknown. South Central Andean region (Loukotka 1968: 272–273): (most are due to a mistaken theory on the origins of Quechua[ 52]
Angara – ancient Inca province ofAngara , department of Ayacucho, Peru. Arequipa – department ofArequipa . Atavila – ancient province ofCanta , department of Lima. Cachipuna –Puna de Quillpaco , department of Lima. Cajamarca – around the city ofCajamarca . Cajatambo – around the city ofCajatambo , department of Lima. Camana or Maje –Majes River , Arequipa department. Cavana – middle course of theMajes River , department of Arequipa. Chachapoya – around the city ofChachapoya , Amazonas department, Peru. (Bandelier 1940, only a few toponyms.) Chancay –Chancay River, department of Lima. Chicha – Cordillera deChorolque , Potosí province, Bolivia. Chincha –Chincha River in the department of Ica. Chongo – near the city ofJauja , Junín department. Chucurpu or Chocorvo – spoken in the Conquest days at the sources of theChurchinga River , Huancavelica department. Conchuco – around the city ofPomabamba , department of Ancash. Cutervo or Huambo – sources of theChancay River, department of Junín. Huacho – around the city ofHuacho , Lima department. Huamachi – onChongos Alto , department of Junín. Huamachuco –Condebamba River, department of Libertad. Huamalí –Panao River, Huánuco department. Huamanga – Peru. Huambuco –Chinchipe River , Amazonas department. Huanca or Wanka –Mantaro River , Junín department, now Quechuanized. Huayla – middle course of theSanta River , Ancash department, now Quechuanized. Hunacabamba –Chamaya River , Piura department. Ica –Ica River , Ica department. Lampa –Pativilca River, Ancash department. Llamish – department of Lima in theCordillera de Huantán . Mizque –Mizque River , Cochabamba province, Bolivia; now Quechuanized. Moquegua – department ofMoquegua , Peru; possibly a dialect of Aymara. Moyobamba – around the city ofMoyobamba , San Martín department; now Quechuanized. Nazca – mouth of the Grande River, Ica department. Ocro – sources of theSanta River , Ancash department. Pocra – Peru. Rimac – spoken in the Conquest days around the capital of Peru, Lima. Rucana – nearAndamarca , Ayacucho department. Sipisipi – Peru. Sora –Pampas River , Apurimac department. Supe –Huaura River, department of Lima. Tanquihua – around the city ofAyacucho , department of Ayacucho. Tarapaca – province of Tarapacá, Chile. Tomata – near the city ofTupiza , Potosí province, Bolivia. Tomina – between theMizque River andPilcomayo River , Chuquisaca province, Bolivia; now Quechuanized. Tutura – around the city ofTotora , Cochabamba province, Bolivia; now Quechuanized. Yampará – middle course of thePilcomayo River , Chuquisaca province, Bolivia. Yauyo – department of Lima, Peru, on the Mala River and Huaco River. Ethnologue
However,Glottolog states that Agavotaguerra is not unclassified, but unattested; the only reports are that the Agavotaguerra speakYawalapiti . Shanenawa and Lule are both considered to belong to other language families, Panoan and Lule-Vilela respectively; Tingui-Botó is not a language but an ethnic group which originally spoke Dzubukuá, and Awishira and Pumé (Yaruro) are generally considered isolates.
Additional languages at Glottolog [ edit ]
Apoto[ 53] Cálenche (Cálen) = Fayjatases[ 54] Guachipa(s)[ 55] Guachipas , Argentina, 3 words, Viegas Barros (2009)[ 56] Guaicaro (Guaïcaro) - Chile, possibly Central AlacalufHoxa[ 57] Pacahuaras-Castillo[ 58] Pacaguara , collected by Castillo Pitaguary[ 59] Quepo(s)[ 60] Quepos , Costa Rica, 1 word, Lehmann (1920:238) Tapajó - 3 wordsTembey[ 61] Urucucú(s)[ 62] Yanacona [ 63] Some additional languages have not made in into the lists above.[ 64] [ 65]
Boreal Pehuelche - Argentina, 1 word (apparently not the same asPuelche ) Enoo - Chile, a few words (a neighbor of theAlacalufe ); has been proposed to be a "mixed language" Brazil Durbin, M.; Seijas, H. (1973). A Note on Panche, Pijao, Pantagora (Palenque), Colima and Muzo. International Journal of American Linguistics, 39:47-51. ^ Campbell, Lyle, and Verónica Grondona (eds). 2012.The indigenous languages of South America: a comprehensive guide . Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton.[ISBN missing ^ Loukotka, Čestmír. 1968.Classification of South American Indian Languages Los Angeles: Latin American Studies Center, UCLA. ^a b c d e Adelaar, Willem F. H.; Muysken, Pieter (2004).The languages of the Andes . Cambridge language surveys. Cambridge, UK New York: Cambridge University Press.ISBN 978-0-511-48685-2 ^a b c d e f g Handbook of South American Indians . Vol. 3.^ Holbrook, David J. (2007-04-05)."Request Number 2007-003 for Change to ISO 639-3 Language Code" (PDF) . SIL International. Retrieved2019-01-06 . ^a b c d e f g h i Campbell, Lyle (2024-06-25),"Unclassified and Spurious Languages" ,The Indigenous Languages of the Americas (1 ed.), Oxford University PressNew York, pp. 280– 338,doi :10.1093/oso/9780197673461.003.0005 ,ISBN 978-0-19-767346-1 , retrieved2025-10-10 ^ https://iso639-3.sil.org/request/2019-019 ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."List of unclassified languages of South America" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ Adelaar, Willem F. H.; Brijnen, Hélène B. (2014). "Natterer's Linguistic Heritage". In Weltmuseum Wien Friends (ed.).Archiv 63-64 ISBN 978-3-643-99824-8 ^ https://iso639-3.sil.org/request/2015-034 ^ Church, George Earl (July 1898)."Notes on the Visit of Dr. Bach to the Catuquinaru Indians of Amazonas" .The Geographical Journal .12 (1): 63.doi :10.2307/1774499 . ^ https://iso639-3.sil.org/request/2019-020 ^ https://iso639-3.sil.org/request/2014-047 ^ Campbell, L. (2024)."Phantom, False, and Spurious Languages of South America" .The Indigenous Languages of the Americas: History and Classification .Oxford University Press . pp. 333– 334.ISBN 978-0-19-767346-1 . Retrieved2025-03-01 . ^ https://iso639-3.sil.org/request/2015-036 ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Colima" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ https://iso639-3.sil.org/request/2015-035 ^ https://iso639-3.sil.org/request/2015-030 ^ https://iso639-3.sil.org/request/2013-012 ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Envuelto" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ "Tiriyó - Indigenous Peoples in Brazil" .pib.socioambiental.org . Retrieved2025-11-20 .^ Nimuendajú, Curt; Nimuendaju, Curt (July 1937)."The Gamella Indians" Primitive Man .10 (3/4): 58.doi :10.2307/3316456 . ^ Rivet, Paul (1943)."Nouvelle contribution à l'étude de l'ethnologie précolombienne de Colombie" .Journal de la société des américanistes .35 (1):25– 39.doi :10.3406/jsa.1943.2342 . ^ https://iso639-3.sil.org/request/2015-037 ^ Alvarez, Jose (1938).Un nuevo triunfo: la tribu del Ibabi-Aniji en la mision / ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Idabaez" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ Howland Rowe, John."THE IDABAEZ: UNKNOWN INDIANS OF THE CROCO COAST" (PDF) .digitalassets.lib.berkeley.edu . ^ Isolado do Tanaru [aka Isolado do Buraco] at theEndangered Languages Project .^ https://iso639-3.sil.org/request/2015-025 ^ Barbosa, Wallace de Deus (October 1991).Os índios kambiwá de Pernambuco: arte e identidade étnica ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Kantarure" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ "Kantaruré - Indigenous Peoples in Brazil" .pib.socioambiental.org . Retrieved2025-07-10 .^ Handbook of South American Indians . Vol. 6. 1950.^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Muzo" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ https://iso639-3.sil.org/request/2015-042 ^ https://iso639-3.sil.org/request/2015-031 ^ "Glottolog 5.1 - Papavô" .glottolog.org . Retrieved2025-04-09 .^ https://iso639-3.sil.org/request/2015-032 ^ Handbook of South American Indians . Vol. 2.^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Querandi" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ Barros, J. Pedro Viegas (1994)."Acerca de algunas palabras y frases recogidas a orillas del Río de la Plata a mediados del siglo XVI" .Mundo Ameghiniano .12 . ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Quillacinga" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ Loukotka, Čestmír (1931)."Die Sprache der Zamuco und die Verwandtschaftsverhältnisse der Chaco-Stämme" .Anthropos .26 (5/6):843– 861.ISSN 0257-9774 . ^ "ISO 639-3 Registration Authority 2019" (PDF) . Retrieved2025-10-10 .^ "Reserva Indígena Aconã | Drupal" .localhost . Retrieved2025-04-11 .^ "Tingui Botó - Povos Indígenas no Brasil" .pib.socioambiental.org . Retrieved2025-03-05 .^ https://iso639-3.sil.org/request/2015-033 ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Unainuman" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ Adelaar, Willem F. H.; Brijnen, Hélène B. (2014). "Natterer's Linguistic Heritage". In Weltmuseum Wien Friends (ed.).Archiv 63-64 ISBN 978-3-643-99824-8 ^ Godoy, Gustavo; Balykova, Kristina (2023-11-30)."Multilingual Pantanal and its decay" .Tipití: Journal of the Society for the Anthropology of Lowland South America .19 (2):272– 293.doi :10.70845/2572-3626.1362 .ISSN 2572-3626 . ^ https://iso639-3.sil.org/request/2015-022 ^ Campbell, Lyle (2024-06-25),"Unclassified and Spurious Languages" ,The Indigenous Languages of the Americas (1 ed.), Oxford University PressNew York, pp. 280– 338,doi :10.1093/oso/9780197673461.003.0005 ,ISBN 978-0-19-767346-1 , retrieved2025-10-10 ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Apoto" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Fayjatases" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Guachipas" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ Barros, Pedro Viegas (2009-02-18)."Otra lengua misteriosa" . Retrieved2025-10-10 . ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Hoxa" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Pacahuaras-Castillo" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Pitaguary" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Quepos" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Tembey" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Urucucús" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ Hammarström, Harald; Forkel, Robert; Haspelmath, Martin, eds. (2017)."Yanacona" .Glottolog 3.0 ^ Q. Shormani, Mohammed (March 2017)."First-person n and second-person m in Native America: a fresh look" (PDF) .Italian Journal of Linguistics .29 (2).doi :10.26346/1120-2726-112 (inactive 1 July 2025). {{cite journal }}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link )^ Zamponi, Raoul (December 2017). "First-person n and second-person m in Native America: a fresh look".Italian Journal of Linguistics .29 (2):189– 230.doi :10.26346/1120-2726-113 (inactive 1 July 2025).ISSN 1120-2726 . {{cite journal }}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link )
