Indigenous languages of the Americas

The indigenous languages of the Americas are the languages that were used by the Indigenous peoples of the Americas before Europeans arrived. Many of these languages are still spoken today, but others have been lost over time. These languages come in many different families, and some are unique.

There have been many ideas about how these languages might be connected, but most experts do not agree with the most famous idea because of mistakes in how it was made.

According to UNESCO, many of these languages are in danger of disappearing. Some of the most commonly spoken include Southern Quechua in Peru and Bolivia, and Guarani in Paraguay, each with millions of speakers. Other languages with many speakers include Aymara in Bolivia, Nahuatl in Mexico, and several Mayan languages like Kekchi, K'iche', and Yucatec. In North America, many people still speak these important languages.

Background

Further information: Indigenous peoples of the Americas

Before Europeans arrived, many different languages were spoken by people in North and South America. These languages were used by many groups of people.

When Europeans came to the Americas, they sometimes tried to learn these languages. However, they also often made people speak European languages instead. This led to many indigenous languages being lost over time. Today, some of these languages are still used, while others are in danger of disappearing. Some have even become official languages in certain places, like Guarani in Paraguay.

Origins

See also: Settlement of the Americas

Different ideas exist about where the languages of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas came from. Some think one group of people brought just one language. Others believe several groups brought different languages. Some say many groups came, each with their own language. Others think one group came with many languages already.

One idea is that people traveled along the coast of the Pacific Ocean from northeastern Asia. They already spoke many different languages, and these languages grew and changed in the Americas.

Numbers of speakers and political recognition

Some countries help and support the languages of their Indigenous peoples.

Mexico, Guatemala, and Guyana recognize most Indigenous languages. Bolivia and Venezuela treat all Indigenous languages as official languages. In Canada, Argentina, and the US, local areas like provinces or states decide if they will recognize these languages. Brazil only recognizes Indigenous languages in some places. Colombia lets its regions decide, based on its constitution from 1991.

In 2019, Canada passed a law called the Indigenous Languages Act. This law helps protect Indigenous languages with money and a special office. The first leader of this office was Ronald E. Ignace.

Language families and unclassified languages

Further information: Classification of indigenous languages of the Americas

Before Europeans arrived, many languages were spoken by Indigenous peoples in the Americas. These languages are not all related. They are grouped into about a hundred language families. Some languages cannot be grouped because there is not enough information. These are called unclassified. Many of these languages are still used today, but others are no longer spoken.