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 distinguishes four levels of endangerment in languages, based on intergenerational transfer:
- Vulnerable: Most children speak the language, but it may be restricted to certain domains (e.g., home).
- Definitely endangered: Children no longer learn the language as mother tongue in the home.
- Severely endangered: Language is spoken by grandparents and older generations; while the parent generation may understand it, they do not speak it to children or among themselves.
- Critically endangered: The youngest speakers are grandparents and older, and they speak the language partially and infrequently.
Critically endangered |
Severely endangered |
Definitely Endangered |
Vulnerable |
Aimol language |
Aiton language |
Aka language |
Adi language |
Baghati language |
A'tong language |
Asur language |
Anal language |
Bangani language |
Geta language |
Badaga language |
Angami language |
Bellari language |
Mech language |
Bhadravahi language |
Angika language |
Birhor language |
Remo language (Bonda language) |
Bhalesi language |
Ao language |
Gadaba language (Ollari language) |
Tai Phake language |
Bharmauri language |
Apatani language |
Great Andamanese languages |
Biete language |
Balti language |
|
Handuri language |
Brokshat language |
Bangni language |
|
Jarawa language (Andaman Islands) |
Bunan language |
Bhumji language |
|
Koireng language |
Byangsi language |
Bodo language |
|
Koraga language |
Chambeali language |
Chang language |
|
Kota language |
Churahi language |
Chokri language |
|
Kuruba language |
Darma language |
Dimasa language |
|
Lamgang language |
Deori language |
Galo language |
|
Lamongse language |
Gangte language |
Garhwali language |
|
Langrong language |
Gorum language |
Gondi language |
|
Luro language |
Hill Miri language |
Gutob language |
|
Manda language |
Jad language |
Hmar language |
|
Muot language |
Jangshung language |
Ho language |
|
Naiki language |
Jaunsari language |
Hrangkhol language |
|
Nihali language |
Juang language |
Irula language |
|
Onge language |
Kachari language |
Kabui language |
|
Pangvali language |
Kanashi language |
Karbi language |
|
Parji language |
Kangdi language |
Khampti language |
|
Pengo language |
Khasali language |
Kharia language |
|
Pu language |
Khowa language |
Khasi language |
|
Purum language |
Kinnauri language |
Kheza language |
|
Ruga language |
Koch language |
Khiamngan language |
|
Sanenyo language |
Kodagu language |
Khoirao language |
|
Sentinelese language |
Kolami language |
Koda language |
|
Shompen language |
Kom language |
Konyak language |
|
Sirmaudi language |
Konda language (Dravidian) |
Korku language |
|
Tai Nora language |
Koro language |
Korwa language |
|
Tai Rong language |
Kului language |
Kui language |
|
Takahanyilang language |
Kundal Shahi language |
Kumaoni language |
|
Tangam language |
Kurru language |
Kurux language(India) |
|
Tarao language |
Kuvi language |
Lhota language |
|
Toda language |
Limbu language |
Liangmai language |
|
Toto language |
Lishpa language |
Manchad language |
|
Mahasui language |
Mao language |
||
Malto language (Paharia language) |
Maram language |
||
Mandeali language |
Maring language |
||
Mara language |
Meithei language |
||
Miji language |
Minyong language |
||
Milang language |
Mizo language |
||
Mising language |
Mundari language |
||
Moyon language |
Mzieme language |
||
Nahali language |
Nocte language |
||
Pasi language |
Nruanghmei language |
||
Singpho language |
Nyishi language |
||
Tiwa language |
Padam language |
||
Turi language |
Padri language |
||
Zangskari language |
Paite language |
||
Phom language |
|||
Pochuri language |
|||
Purik language |
|||
Rabha language |
|||
Rengma language |
|||
Rongpo language |
|||
Sangtam language |
|||
Sherdukpen language |
|||
Simi language |
|||
Sora language |
|||
Spiti language |
|||
Tagin language |
|||
Tamang language |
|||
Tangkhul language |
|||
Tangsa language |
|||
Thado language |
|||
Tulu language |
|||
Wancho language |
|||
Yimchungru language |
|||
Zeme language |