Languages of South America - wikipedia Languages of South America Main European languages spoken in South America. The languages of South America can be divided into three broad groups : the languages of the ( in most cases, former ) colonial powers many indigenous languages, some of which are co-official alongside the colonial languages and various pockets of other languages spoken by immigrant populations that have survived assimilation by the majority languages The languages introduced by the process of the European colonization of the Americas are chiefly European, some of whom have given rise to the formation of creoles. Contents 1 Main languages 2 Indigenous languages 2.1 Linguistic Classification of Central and South America 3 Other languages 4 References 5 External links Main languages Main native languages in Latin America, legend : Quechua Guarani Aymara Nahuatl Maya languages Mapudungún Spanish is the majority language of South America, by a small margin. Portuguese, with slightly fewer speakers than Spanish, is the second most spoken language on the continent. Other official and majority languages in specific countries are : Dutch in Suriname English in Guyana and the Falkland Islands. French in French Guiana, an overseas department of France. Indigenous languages Main language families of South America ( other than Quechuan, Aimaran and Mapudungun, which expanded after the Spanish Conquest ). Indigenous languages of South America include, among several others, Quechua languages in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and, less common in Argentina, Chile and Colombia ; Guaraní in Paraguay and, to a much lesser extent, in Argentina and Bolivia ; Aymara in Bolivia, Peru, and less often in Chile ; Wayuu in northern Colombia and northwest Venezuela ; and Mapudungun is spoken in certain pockets of southern Chile and, more rarely, Argentina. In Bolivia, Quechua, Aymara, and Tupi Guarani are co-official alongside Spanish. In Paraguay, Guarani shares joint official status with Spanish. In Colombia, the languages of the country 's ethnic groups are constitutionally recognized as official languages in their territories ; more than 60 such aboriginal languages exist today. In Ecuador, Spanish, Northern Quechua and Shuar are official for intercultural relations. In Peru, Quechua, Aymara, and other indigenous languages are co-official in the areas where they are predominant. There are many other languages once spoken in South America that are extinct today ( such as the extinct languages of the Marañón River basin ). In Brazil, there are around 135 indigenous languages confirmed. The regions with the most speakers are northern and southern Brazil, where there is a larger concentration of native people. Indigenous populations have been trying to keep their traditions of their homeland, with the help of Funai, the agency responsible for the protection of the native people. Language Speakers Countries Quechua 8,900,000 Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina, Chile, Colombia Guarani 4,900,000 Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina Aymara 2,800,000 Bolivia, Peru, Chile Linguistic Classification of Central and South America Macro-Chibchan Chibchan Chibcha - Duit, Tunebo, Arhuaco, Cuna - Cueva, Guaymi - Dorasque, Talamanca, Rama - Guatuso Misumalpan, Paya, Xinca, Lenca Shiriana Paezan Choco, Cuaiquer, Andaki, Paez - Coconuco, Colorado - Cayapa, Warrau, Mura - Matanawi, Jirajira, Yunca, Atacameno, Itonama Andean - Equatorial Andean Ona, Yahgan, Alacaluf, Tehuelche, Puelche, Araucanian Quechua, Aymara Zaparoan Aomurano, Cabela Cahuapana Leco, Sec, Culle, Xibito - Cholon, Catacao, Colan Simacu Jibaro - Kandoshi, Esmeralda, Cofan, Yaruro Macro-Tucanoan Tucano Auixira Catuquina, Ticuna, Muniche, Auaque, Caliana, Macu, Yuri, Canichana, Mobima Puinave Equatorial Arawak Chapacura - Uanhaman, Chamicuro, Apolista, Amuesha, Araua, Uru Tupi Ariqueme Timote, Cariri, Zamuco, Guahibo - Pamigua, Saliban, Otomaco - Taparita, Mocoa, Tuyuneri, Yuruneri, Trumai, Cayuvava Ge - Pano - Carib Macro-Gê Ge, Caingang, Camacan, Machacali, Puri, Patacho, Malali, Coropo, Botocudo, Chiquita, Guato, Fulnio, Oti Bororo Caraja Macro-Panoan Tacana - Pano, Moseten, Mataco, Lule, Vilela, Mascoy, Charrua, Guaycuru - Opaie Oto - Mangue Tarascan Hokan Jicaque, Yurumangui Penutian Mixe Zoque, Huave, Mayan, Totonac Azteco - Tanoan Other languages Italian is spoken by communities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Peru, and Venezuela. German is used by some in Brazil, Argentina, Guyana, Suriname, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Speakers of Arabic ( chiefly of Lebanese, Syrian or Palestinian descent ), are commonly found in parts of in Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile ( largest Palestinian colony outside the Middle East ) and Venezuela. Welsh is spoken and written in the historic towns of Trelew and Rawson in the Argentine Patagonia. There are small Croatian, Greek, Polish, Ukrainian and Russian - speaking communities in Brazil, Chile, and Argentina. There are also many Romani - speakers, originating in Eastern Europe, throughout South America particularly in Colombia, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina. There are Eastern European Romanian speakers, esp. in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Colombia, where Romanian populations live. There are also small clusters of Japanese - speakers in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia ( including Okinawans from the island of Okinawa ), Colombia, Paraguay, and Ecuador. Brazil currently holds the largest Japanese community outside Japan Hindustani and other Indian languages are commonly found in Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Javanese is commonly found in Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. The Rapa Nui Language is a Polynesian origin found in Easter Island, Chile and Maori is also found in Easter Island. Most South American countries mandate the regular study of one or more of English, French, German or Italian. These countries often have advanced cultural language institutes for those respective languages centered in their major cities. In Brazil, Italian and German dialects, specifically Talian, East Pomeranian and Riograndenser Hunsrückisch, have co-official status alongside Portuguese in about a dozen cities, and are mandatory subjects in schools in other municipalities. Brazil 's largest city Sao Paulo has large numbers of German, Italian, Japanese and Levantine Arabic speakers. Languages in censuses References Jump up ^ Mikael Parkvall, `` Världens 100 största språk 2007 '' ( The World 's 100 Largest Languages in 2007 ), in Nationalencyklopedin Jump up ^ Guarani at Ethnologue ( 18th ed., 2015 ) Jump up ^ Central Aymara at Ethnologue ( 18th ed., 2015 ), Southern Aymara at Ethnologue ( 18th ed., 2015 ) Jump up ^ Greenberg, Joseph H. `` The general classification of Central and South American languages '', in : Men and cultures ; selected papers of the 5th international congress of anthropological and ethnologicalsciences, Philadelphia, September 1956 PP. 791 - 4 Jump up ^ `` Japan, Brazil mark a century of settlement, family ties The Japan Times Online ''. 2008 - 01 - 15. External links SAPhon -- South American Phonological Inventories Languages of South America Sovereign states Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Ecuador Guyana Paraguay Peru Suriname Uruguay Venezuela Dependencies and other territories Falkland Islands French Guiana South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Languages_of_South_America&oldid=835623434 '' Categories : Languages of South America Hidden categories : Language articles citing Ethnologue 18 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Languages বাংলা Español Français 한국어 Русский தமிழ் Edit links This page was last edited on 9 April 2018, at 20 : 15. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: what is the primary language of latin america
Answer: Spanish