Matacoan consists of four clusters of languages:
Wichí,
Chorote,
Nivaĉle, and
Maká. Wichí and Chorote constitute a well-supported clade within the family. It has also been proposed that Maká and Nivaĉle form a clade, however, Nivaĉle also shares several innovations with Chorote–Wichí, casting doubt on the validity of the Maká–Nivaĉle clade. Gordon (2005) in
Ethnologue divides Wichí into three separate languages and Chorote into two languages. •
Matacoan • Wichí-Chorote •
Wichí (also known as Mataco, Wichi, Wichí Lhamtés, Weenhayek, Noctenes, Matahuayo, Matako, Weʃwo. The name
Mataco is common but pejorative.) •
Vejoz (also known as Vejo, Pilcomayo, Bermejo,
Wichí Lhamtés Vejoz) •
Noktén (also known as Noctén,
Wichí Lhamtés Nocten) •
Wiznay (also known as Güisnay,
Wichí Lhamtés Güisnay) •
Matawayo (also known as Matahuayo) •
Chorote (also known as Chorotí, Yofúaha, Tsoloti) •
Manhui (also known as Manjuy, Manjui,
Iyo’wujwa Chorote) •
Eklenhui (also known as Eclenjuy, Eklehui,
Iyojwa’ja Chorote, Chorote, Choroti) • (?) Maká-Nivaclé •
Nivaclé (also known as Nivaĉle, Chulupí–Ashlushlay, Chulupí, Ajlujlay, Alhulhai, Niwaklé, Niwaqli, Churupi, Chulupe. The name
Chulupí is common but pejorative.) • Forest Nivaclé • River Nivaclé •
Maká (also known as Macá, Maca, Towolhi, Toothle, Nynaka, Mak’á, Enimaca, Enimaga) •
Ma’ká (also known as Towolhi) •
Enimaga (also known as Enimaa, Kochaboth)
Mason (1950) Internal classification by
Mason (1950): •
Mataco-Maca • Mataco • Mataco-Mataguayo • Mataco • Guisnay • Nocten (Octenai) • Mataguayo • Northern: Hueshuo, Pesatupe, Abucheta • Southern: Vejoz • Chorotí-Ashluslay • Chorotí (Yofuaha) • Ashluslay (Chulupí, Chonopí, Sukin, Sotiagay, Tapieté) • Macá (Enimagá, Cochaboth, Guaná, Lengua) • Enimagá • Macá (Towothli, Toosle) • Guentusé • Cochaboth-Lengua
Nikulin & Carol (2024) Internal classification by Nikulin & Carol (2024): •
Mataguayan • Maká • Fisket Ɫeiɫets • Aseptiket Ɫeiɫets • Nivaĉle • Chishamnee Lhavos • Shichaam Lhavos • Yita’ Lhavos • Chorote–Wichí • Chorote • Iyojwa’aja’ • Iyo’awujwa’–Manjui • Iyo’awujwa’ • Manjui • Jlimnájnas • Jlawá’a Wos • Wichí • Northwestern Wichí • ’Weenhayek • Guisnay (Lower Pilcomayeño) • Vejoz • Southeastern Wichí • Rivadavia • Lower Bermejeño ==Proto-language==