# List of language families

This article is a list of language families. This list only includes primary language families that are accepted by the current academic consensus in the field of linguistics; for language families that are not accepted by the current academic consensus in the field of linguistics, see the article "List of proposed language families".

## List of language families
### Spoken language families

* Map of the main language families of the world
* The language families of Africa
* Map of the Austronesian languages
* Map of major Dravidian languages
* Distribution of the Indo-European language family branches across Eurasia
* Area of the Papuan languages
* Map of the Australian languages
* Distribution of language families and isolates north of Mexico at first contact
* The major South American language families
* Ethnolinguistic groups of mainland Southeast Asia
* Caucasian languages
* Distribution of the Uralic, Altaic, and Yukaghir languages
| Family | Languages | Current speakers | Location | Proposed parent family |
| Afroasiatic | 381 | 499,294,669 | Africa, Eurasia | |
| Aroid | 5 | 438,100 | Africa | Afroasiatic |
| Atlantic–Congo | 1,410 | 500,000,000 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
| Berta | 6 | 380,000 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Central Sudanic | 63 | 9,145,280 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Daju | 7 | 261,000 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Dizoid | 3 | 88,840 | Africa | Afroasiatic |
| Dogon | 20 | 630,820 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
| Eastern Jebel | 4 | 104,600 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Fur | 2 | 786,900 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Gumuz | 3 | 253,680 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Heiban | 10 | 276,690 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
| Ijaw | 9 | 3,221,650 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
| Kadu | 6 | 120,600 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Katla-Tima | 3 | 25,000 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
| Khoe-Kwadi | 14 | 337,337 | Africa | |
| Koman | 5 | 94,000 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Kresh-Aja | 3 | 48,200 | Africa | Central Sudanic |
| Kru | 38 | 3,800,000 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
| Kuliak | 3 | 14,070 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Kunama | 2 | 181,000 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Kx'a | 5 | 104,000 | Africa | |
| Maban | 10 | 1,115,260 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Mande | 75 | 27,003,000 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
| Nilotic | 55 | 33,306,780 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Nubian | 13 | 842,050 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Nyima | 2 | 162,000 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Rashad | 2 | 126,000 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
| Saharan | 10 | 10,940,500 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Songhay | 10 | 3,228,000 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Surmic | 11 | 544,680 | Africa | |
| Talodi | 8 | 112,250 | Africa | Niger–Congo |
| Taman | 4 | 128,800 | Africa | |
| Ta-Ne-Omotic | 23 | 7,383,320 | Africa | Afroasiatic |
| Temein | 2 | 14,400 | Africa | Nilo-Saharan |
| Tuu | 9 | 2,500 | Africa | |
| Zande | 6 | 1,898,500 | Africa | |
| Indo-European | 586 | 3,237,999,904 | Eurasia | |
| Uralic | 49 | 20,716,457 | Eurasia | |
| Tyrsenian | 3 or 4 | extinct | Eurasia | |
| Turkic | 35 | 179,945,933 | Eurasia | Altaic (controversial) |
| Hurro-Urartian | 2 | extinct | Eurasia | Alarodian |
| Northwest Caucasian | 4 | 1,655,000 | Eurasia | North Caucasian |
| Northeast Caucasian | 29 | 4,155,258 | Eurasia | North Caucasian or Alarodian |
| Kartvelian | 5 | 4,850,000 | Eurasia | |
| Dravidian | 84 | 252,807,610 | Eurasia | |
| Great Andamanese | 10 | 3 | Eurasia | |
| Ongan | 2 | 296 | Eurasia | |
| Yeniseian | 5 | 153 | Eurasia | |
| Yukaghir | 4 | 516 | Eurasia | |
| Sino-Tibetan | 514 | 1,385,995,195 | Eurasia | |
| Mijiic | 2 | 29,500 | Eurasia | Sino-Tibetan |
| Hmong–Mien | 43 | 9,332,070 | Eurasia | Miao–Dai or Austric |
| Kra–Dai | 95 | 81,549,828 | Eurasia | Austro-Tai |
| Austroasiatic | 158 | 116,323,040 | Eurasia | Austric languages |
| Austronesian | 1,274 | 325,862,510 | Africa, Eurasia, Oceania | Austro-Tai |
| Tungusic | 15 | 55,800 | Eurasia | Altaic (controversial) |
| Mongolic | 16 | 7,269,480 | Eurasia | Altaic (controversial) |
| Koreanic | 2 | 77,269,890 | Eurasia | Altaic (controversial) |
| Nivkh | 2 | 200 | Eurasia | Nivkh–Kamchukotic |
| Japonic | 13 | 129,240,180 | Eurasia | Altaic (controversial) |
| Ainu | 3 | 2 | Eurasia | Altaic (controversial) |
| Chukotko-Kamchatkan | 7 | 6,875 | Eurasia | Nivkh–Kamchukotic |
| Trans–New Guinea | 376 | 3,678,184 | New Guinea | |
| Torricelli | 57 | 114,565 | New Guinea | |
| Sepik | 49 | 263,404 | New Guinea | |
| Lower Sepik | 6 | 13,070 | New Guinea | Ramu–Lower Sepik languages |
| Timor–Alor–Pantar | 23 | 380,120 | New Guinea | Trans–New Guinea |
| Lakes Plain | 20 | 8,455 | New Guinea | |
| Yam | 19 | 7,677 | New Guinea | |
| Anim | 17 | 32,898 | New Guinea | Trans–New Guinea |
| Border | 15 | 17,080 | New Guinea | |
| North Halmahera | 15 | 279,035 | New Guinea | West Papuan |
| Angan | 13 | 103,739 | New Guinea | Trans–New Guinea |
| Geelvink Bay | 10 | 8,005 | New Guinea | |
| Sko | 10 | 5,665 | New Guinea | |
| South Bougainville | 9 | 68,700 | New Guinea | |
| Baining | 6 | 13,800 | New Guinea | |
| Strickland | 8 | 6,175 | New Guinea | |
| Goilalan | 6 | 47,330 | New Guinea | |
| Kiwaia | 6 | 38,030 | New Guinea | |
| Left May | 6 | 2,005 | New Guinea | Left May – Kwomtari |
| South Bird's Head | 6 | 8,200 | New Guinea | |
| Eleman | 5 | 45,240 | New Guinea | |
| Foja Range | 26 | 23,845 | New Guinea | |
| Pauwasi | 5 | 3,880 | New Guinea | |
| West Bird's Head | 5 | 20,090 | New Guinea | West Papuan |
| Yuat | 5 | 7,700 | New Guinea | |
| Eastern Trans-Fly | 4 | 6,760 | New Guinea | |
| North Bougainville | 4 | 10,020 | New Guinea | |
| Demta–Sentani | 4 | 36,680 | New Guinea | |
| Gogodala–Suki | 4 | 30,160 | New Guinea | |
| Kikorian | 6 | 13,510 | New Guinea | |
| Walio | 4 | 856 | New Guinea | |
| East Bird's Head | 3 | 34,800 | New Guinea | West Papuan |
| Mairasi | 3 | 4,385 | New Guinea | |
| Amto–Musan | 2 | 720 | New Guinea | |
| Baibai-Fas | 2 | 2,840 | New Guinea | Left May – Kwomtari, Kwomtari–Fas |
| Bulaka River | 3 | 520 | New Guinea | |
| Hatam-Mansim | 2 | 16,000 | New Guinea | West Papuan |
| Inanwatan–Duriankere | 2 | 1,130 | New Guinea | |
| Kaure-Kosare | 2 | 700 | New Guinea | |
| Konda-Yahadian | 2 | 1,000 | New Guinea | |
| Senu River | 3 | 1,510 | New Guinea | Left May–Kwomtari or Kwomtari–Fas |
| Lepki-Murkim-Kembra | 3 | 840 | New Guinea | |
| Namla-Tofanma | 2 | 280 | New Guinea | |
| Pahoturi | 2 | 4,050 | New Guinea | |
| Madang–Upper Yuat | 112 | >10,000 | New Guinea | |
| Senagi | 2 | 2,960 | New Guinea | |
| Taulil-Butam | 2 | 2,000 | New Guinea | |
| Ramu | 29 | 64,730 | New Guinea | Ramu–Lower Sepik |
| Teberan–Pawaian | 4 | 37,100 | New Guinea | |
| Yawa-Saweru | 2 | 10,300 | New Guinea | West Papuan |
| Central Solomon | 4 | 14,800 | New Guinea | |
| Chimbu-Wahgi | 15 | 613,400 | New Guinea | |
| Engan | 9 | 606,930 | New Guinea | |
| Pama–Nyungan | 250 | 23,539 | Australia | |
| Gunwinyguan | 5 | 1,314 | Australia | |
| Western Daly | 3 | 21 | Australia | |
| Nyulnyulan | 3 | 94 | Australia | |
| Worrorran | 3 | 108 | Australia | |
| Mirndi | 3 | 261 | Australia | |
| Iwaidjan | 4 | 491 | Australia | Arnhem |
| Mangarrayi-Maran | 4 | 10 | Australia | |
| Maningrida | 4 | 1,434 | Australia | Arnhem |
| Tangkic | 4 | 73 | Australia | |
| Jarrakan | 3 | 130 | Australia | |
| Bunuban | 2 | 100 | Australia | |
| Eastern Daly | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
| Garrwan | 2 | 130 | Australia | |
| Limilngan-Wulna | 2 | 23 | Australia | |
| Marrku-Wurrugu | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
| Northeastern Tasmanian | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
| Northern Daly | 2 | 8 | Australia | |
| Southeastern Tasmanian | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
| Western Tasmanian | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
| Northern Tasmanian | 2 | extinct | Australia | |
| Eskaleut | 10 | 108,705 | North America, Eurasia | |
| Na-Dene | 46 | 208,552 | North America | |
| Tsimshianic | 4 | 2,910 | North America | Penutian |
| Wakashan | 6 | 710 | North America | |
| Salishan | 25 | 1,969 | North America | |
| Chimakuan | 2 | extinct | North America | |
| Chinookan | 4 | extinct | North America | Penutian |
| Kalapuyan | 3 | extinct | North America | Penutian |
| Coosan | 2 | extinct | North America | Penutian |
| Sahaptian | 4 | 125 | North America | Penutian |
| Shastan | 4 | extinct | North America | Hokan |
| Pakawan | 5 | extinct | North America | Hokan |
| Yuki–Wappo | 2 | extinct | North America | |
| Pomoan | 7 | 47 | North America | Hokan |
| Wintuan | 2 | extinct | North America | Penutian |
| Palaihnihan | 2 | 10 | North America | Hokan |
| Maiduan | 4 | 3 | North America | Penutian |
| Utian | 13 | 18 | North America | Penutian |
| Chumashan | 6 | extinct | North America | |
| Uto-Aztecan | 58 | 1,910,442 | North America | Aztec–Tanoan |
| Yuman–Cochimí | 12 | 3,710 | North America | Hokan |
| Siouan | 14 | 33,399 | North America | Macro-Siouan |
| Algic | 47 | 214,768 | North America | |
| Tanoan–Kiowa | 6 | 6,000 | North America | Aztec–Tanoan |
| Caddoan | 5 | 46 | North America | Macro-Siouan |
| Totonacan | 12 | 282,250 | North America | Totozoquean |
| Oto-Manguean | 176 | 1,678,214 | North America | |
| Mixe–Zoque | 17 | 153,612 | North America | Totozoquean |
| Tequistlatecan | 3 | 5,494 | North America | Hokan |
| Muskogean | 6 | 15,640 | North America | Gulf |
| Mayan | 31 | 6,522,182 | North America | |
| Xincan | 5 | extinct | North America | Macro-Chibchan |
| Jicaquean | 2 | 500 | North America | Hokan |
| Lencan | 2 | extinct | North America | Macro-Chibchan or Hokan |
| Misumalpan | 5 | 709,000 | North America | Macro-Chibchan |
| Iroquoian | 9 | 14,543 | North America | Macro-Siouan |
| Arawakan | 77 | 699,709 | North America, South America | Macro-Arawakan |
| Chibchan | 27 | 306,267 | North America, South America | Macro-Chibchan |
| Chocoan | 9 | 114,600 | North America, South America | |
| Cariban | 42 | 67,376 | North America, South America | Je–Tupi–Carib |
| Barbacoan | 6 | 24,800 | South America | Macro-Paesan |
| Chicham | 4 | 89,630 | South America | |
| Quechuan | 45 | 7,768,820 | South America | |
| Aymaran | 4 | 2,808,740 | South America | |
| Uru–Chipaya | 2 | 1,200 | South America | |
| Huarpean | 3 | extinct | South America | |
| Araucanian | 2 | 262,000 | South America | |
| Chonan | 6 | extinct | South America | Moseten–Chonan |
| Alacalufan | 3 | 12 | South America | |
| Guajiboan | 5 | 39,290 | South America | Macro-Arawakan |
| Nukak–Kakwa | 2 | 610 | South America | Macro-Puinavean |
| Otomákoan | 2 | extinct | South America | Macro-Otomákoan |
| Piaroa–Saliban | 3 | 18,630 | South America | |
| Nadahup | 4 | 2,894 | South America | Macro-Puinavean |
| Yanomaman | 4 | 31,670 | South America | |
| Tucanoan | 23 | 30,308 | South America | |
| Boran | 2 | 1,500 | South America | Bora–Witoto |
| Witotoan | 7 | 17,478 | South America | Bora–Witoto |
| Peba–Yaguan | 3 | 5,700 | South America | Saparo–Yawan |
| Zaparoan | 3 | 90 | South America | Saparo–Yawan |
| Hibito–Cholon | 2 | extinct | South America | |
| Cahuapanan | 2 | 10,370 | South America | |
| Ticuna–Yuri | 2 | 48,580 | South America | |
| Panoan | 38 | 48,679 | South America | Macro-Panoan |
| Arawan | 6 | 5,870 | South America | |
| Katukinan | 2 | 10 | South America | Macro-Puinavean |
| Harákmbut | 2 | 2,220 | South America | Harákmbut–Katukinan or Macro-Otomákoan |
| Tupian | 70 | 5,026,502 | South America | Je–Tupi–Carib |
| Chapacuran | 4 | 2,019 | South America | Wamo–Chapakura |
| Nambikwaran | 6 | 1,068 | South America | |
| Bororoan | 3 | 1,392 | South America | Macro-Jê |
| Kariri | 4 | extinct | South America | Macro-Jê |
| Zamucoan | 2 | 5,900 | South America | |
| Tacanan | 7 | 2,860 | South America | Macro-Panoan languages |
| Mascoian | 6 | 20,728 | South America | Mataco–Guaicuru |
| Matacoan | 7 | 60,280 | South America | Mataco–Guaicuru |
| Guaicuruan | 4 | 49,350 | South America | Mataco–Guaicuru |
| Macro-Jê | 29 | 51,093 | South America | Je–Tupi–Carib |
| Charruan | 3 | extinct | South America | Mataco–Guaicuru |
| Kamakanan | 4 | extinct | South America | Macro-Jê |
| Purian | 2 | extinct | South America | Macro-Jê |
| Puquina | 4 | extinct | South America | |
| Catacaoan | 3 | extinct | South America | |
| Jirajaran | 3 | extinct | South America | |
| Lule-Vilela | 2 | extinct | South America | |
| Timotean | 2 | 200 | South America | |
| Tiniguan | 3 | 1 | South America | |

### Sign language families

The family relationships of sign languages are not well established due to a lagging in linguistic research, and many are isolates (cf. Wittmann 1991).
| Family Name | Location | Number of |
| French Sign | Europe, the Americas, Francophone Africa, parts of Asia | Over 50 |
| British Sign | United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa | 4–10 |
| Arab Sign | Much of the Arab World | 6–10 |
| Japanese Sign | Japan, Korea, Taiwan | 3 |
| German Sign | Germany, Poland, Israel | 3 |
| Swedish Sign | Sweden, Finland, Portugal | 3 |
| Chinese Sign | China (including Hong Kong and Macau) | 2 |