Notable early classifications of classifications of indigenous South American language families include those by
Filippo Salvatore Gilii (1780–84),
Lorenzo Hervás y Panduro (1784–87),
Daniel Garrison Brinton (1891),
Paul Rivet (1924),
John Alden Mason (1950), and
Čestmír Loukotka (1968).
Antonio Tovar (1961; 1984), and
Jorge A. Suárez (1974).
Glottolog 4.1 (2019) Glottolog 4.1 (2019) recognizes 44 independent families and 64 isolates in South America. ;Languages of Paleo-American tribes • A. Southern Division • 1.
Yámana • 2.
Alacaluf • 3.
Aksanás • 4.
Patagon • 5.
Gennaken • 6.
Chechehet • 7.
Sanaviron • B. Chaco Division • 8.
Guaicuru • 9.
Vilela • 10.
Mataco • 11.
Lengua • 12.
Zamuco • 13.
Chiquito • 14.
Gorgotoqui • Unclassified or unknown languages of the areas of Divisions A and B. • C. Division of Central Brazil • 15.
Charrua • 16.
Kaingán • 17.
Opaie • 18.
Puri • 19.
Mashakali • 20.
Botocudo • 21.
Baenan • 22.
Kamakan • 23.
Fulnio • 24.
Jê • 25.
Kukura (spurious) • 26.
Otí • 27.
Boróro • 28.
Karajá • Unclassified or unknown languages of the area of Division C. • D. Northeastern Division • 29.
Katembri • 30.
Tushá • 31.
Pankarurú • 32.
Chocó • 33.
Umán • 34.
Natú • 35.
Shukurú • 36.
Kiriri • 37.
Tarairiú • 38.
Gamela • Unclassified or unknown languages of the area of Division D. • E. Northwestern Division • 39.
Múra • 40.
Matanawí • 41.
Erikbaktsa • 42.
Nambikwára • 43.
Iranshe • 44.
Yabutí ;Languages of tropical forest tribes • A. North Central Division • 45.
Tupi • 46.
Arawak • 47.
Otomac • 48.
Guamo • 49.
Taruma • 50.
Piaroa • 51.
Tinigua • 52.
Máku (Jukude) • 53.
Tucuna • 54.
Yagua • 55.
Kahuapana • 56.
Munichi • 57.
Cholona • 58.
Mayna • 59.
Murato • 60.
Auishiri • 61.
Itucale • 62.
Jíbaro • 63.
Sabela • 64.
Záparo • 65.
Chapacura • 66.
Huari • 67.
Capixana • 68.
Koaiá • 69.
Purubora • 70.
Trumai • 71.
Cayuvava • 72.
Mobima • 73.
Itonama • 74.
Canichana • Unclassified or unknown languages of the area of the North Central Division. • B. South Central Division • 75.
Pano • 76.
Tacana • 77.
Toyeri • 78.
Yuracare • 79.
Mosetene • 80.
Guató • Unclassified or unknown languages of the area of the South Central Division. • C. Languages of the Central Division • 81.
Tucano • 82.
Andoque • 83.
Uitoto • 84.
Bora • 85.
Yuri • 86.
Makú (Nadahup) • 87.
Catuquina • 88.
Arawa • Unclassified or unknown languages of the area of the Central Division. • D. Northeastern Division • 89.
Karaib • 90.
Yanoama • 91.
Uarao • 92.
Auaké • 93.
Kaliána • Unclassified or unknown languages of the area of the North Eastern Division. ;Languages of Andean tribes • A. Northern Division • 94.
Chibcha • 95.
Timote • 96.
Jirajara • 97.
Chocó • 98.
Idabaez • Unclassified or unknown division. • B. North Central Division • 99.
Yurimangui • 100.
Cofán • 101.
Sechura • 102.
Catacao • 103.
Culli • 104.
Tabancale • 105.
Copallén • 106.
Chimú • C. South Central Division • 107.
Quechua • 108.
Aymara • 109.
Puquina • 110.
Uro • 111.
Atacama • 112.
Leco • Unclassified or unknown languages of the area of the Ancient
Inca Empire. • D. Southern Division • 113.
Mapuche • 114.
Diaguit • 115.
Humahuaca • 116.
Lule • 117.
Huarpe Kaufman (1990) Families and isolates Terrence Kaufman's classification is meant to be a rather conservative genetic grouping of the languages of South America (and a few in Central America). He has 118
genetic units. Kaufman believes for these 118 units "that there is little likelihood that any of the groups recognized here will be broken apart". Kaufman uses more specific terminology than only
language family, such as
language area,
emergent area, and
language complex, where he recognizes issues such as partial
mutual intelligibility and
dialect continuums. The list below collapses these into simply
families. Kaufman's list is numbered and grouped by "geolinguistic region". The list below is presented in alphabetic order. Kaufman uses an anglicized orthography for his genetic units, which is mostly used only by himself. His spellings have been retained below.
Stocks In addition to his conservative list, Kaufman list several larger "stocks" which he evaluates. The names of the stocks are often obvious hyphenations of two members; for instance, the Páes-Barbakóa stock consists of the Páesan and Barbakóan families. If the composition is not obvious, it is indicated parenthetically. Kaufman puts question marks by Kechumara and Mosetén-Chon stocks.
"Good" stocks: •
Awaké–Kaliana (Arutani–Sape) •
Chibcha–Misumalpa •
Ezmeralda–Jaruro •
Jurí–Tikuna •
Kechumara (=Kechua + Haki) (good?) •
Lule–Vilela •
Mosetén–Chon (good?) •
Páes–Barbakóa •
Pano–Takana •
Sechura–Katakao •
Wamo–Chapakúra "Probable" stocks: •
Macro-Jê (=Chikitano + Boróroan + Aimoré + Rikbaktsá + Je + Jeikó + Kamakánan + Mashakalían + Purían + Fulnío + Karajá + Ofayé + Guató) •
Mura–Matanawí "Promising" stocks: •
Kaliánan (=Awaké + Kaliana + Maku [Jukude]) "Maybe" stocks: •
Bora–Witoto •
Hívaro–Kawapana •
Kunsa–Kapishaná (now abandoned) •
Pukina–Kolyawaya •
Sáparo–Yawa Clusters and networks Kaufman's largest groupings are what he terms
clusters and
networks. Clusters are equivalent to macro-families (or phyla or superfamilies). Networks are composed of clusters. Kaufman views all of these larger groupings to be hypothetical and his list is to be used as a means to identify which hypotheses most need testing.
Campbell (2012) Lyle Campbell (2012) proposed the following list of 53 uncontroversial indigenous language families and 55 isolates of South America – a total of 108 independent families and isolates. • † = extinct ;Families •
Andoke-Urekena •
Arawa •
Barbakoa •
Bora-Muinane •
Chacha-Cholon-Hibito •
Chapakura-Wañam •
Charrua •
Chibcha •
Choko •
Chon •
Duho •
Guahibo •
Harakmbet-Katukina •
Jaqi •
Jirajara † •
Jivaro •
Karib •
Kawapana •
Kechua •
Lengua-Maskoy •
Macro-Arawak •
Macro-Mataguayo-Guaykuru •
Macro-Jê •
Mapudungun •
Moseten-Tsimane •
Mura-Matanawi •
Nambikwara •
Otomako-Taparita † •
Pano-Takana •
Peba-Yagua •
Puinave-Nadahup •
Puri † •
Tallan † •
Timote-Kuika •
Tinigua-Pamigua •
Tukano •
Tupi •
Uru-Chipaya •
Warpe † •
Witoto-Okaina •
Yanomami •
Zamuko •
Zaparo ;Isolates and unclassified languages •
Aikanã •
Andaki † •
Arara do Rio Branco •
Arutani •
Atakame † •
Atikum † •
Aushiri † •
Chono † •
Guamo † •
Guato •
Gününa Këna •
Iranche/
Myky •
Itonama •
Kakan † •
Kamsa •
Kañari † •
Kanichana •
Kanoe •
Kawesqar •
Kayuvava •
Kerandi † •
Kimbaya † •
Kingnam † •
Kofan •
Komechingon † •
Koraveka † •
Kueva † •
Kulle † •
Kunza † •
Kuruminaka † •
Kwaza •
Leko •
Lule † •
Maku •
Malibu † •
Mochika † •
Mokana † •
Morike † •
Movima •
Muzo-Kolima † •
Omurano •
Oti † •
Paez •
Panche † •
Pijao † •
Puruha † •
Sanaviron † •
Sape •
Sechura † •
Tarairiu † •
Taruma •
Taushiro •
Tekiraka •
Trumai •
Tuxa † •
Umbra •
Urarina •
Vilela •
Waorani •
Warao •
Xukuru † •
Yagan •
Yaruro •
Yurakare •
Yurumangui † •
Zenu † ;Creoles, pidgins, and secret languages •
Kallawaya •
Maskoy Pidgin •
Media Lengua •
Ndyuka-Tiriyo Campbell (2024) Lyle Campbell (2024) proposed the following list of 47 uncontroversial indigenous language families and 53 isolates of South America – a total of 100 independent families and isolates. Language families with more than 6 languages are highlighted in
bold. The remaining language families all have 6 languages or fewer. ;Families •
Arawakan (Maipurean, Maipuran) (~65–80) – widespread •
Cariban (~40–50) – Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, etc. •
Chapacuran (Txapakúran) (10) – Brazil, Bolivia •
Chibchan (23) – Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica •
Macro-Jê Sensu Stricto (~33) – Brazil •
Pano–Takanan (~39) – Brazil, Peru, Bolivia •
Quechuan (23 ?) – Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina •
Tukanoan (Tucanoan) (~29, 8 extinct) – Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil •
Tupían (~55–70) – Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, etc. •
Arawan (Arahuan, Arauan, Arawán) (6?) – Brazil, Peru •
Aymaran (2) – Bolivia, Peru •
Barbacoan (5) – Colombia, Ecuador •
Boran (3) – Brazil, Colombia •
Bororoan (3) – Brazil •
Cahuapanan (3, possibly 2) – Peru •
Cañar–Puruhá (2; uncertain) – Ecuador •
Charruan (3) – Uruguay, Argentina •
Chicham (4) – Peru, Ecuador •
Chocoan (3?) – Colombia, Panama •
Cholonan (2) – Peru •
Chonan (Chon) (5–6?) – Argentina •
Enlhet–Enenlhet Mascoyan (6) – Paraguay •
Guaicuruan (Waykuruan) (5) – Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil •
Guajiboan (4) – Colombia •
Harákmbut–Katukinan (4) – Peru, Brazil •
Huarpean (Warpean) (2) – Argentina •
Jirajaran (3) – Venezuela •
Kakua–Nukak (2) – Colombia, Brazil •
Karirian (Karirí) (4) – Brazil •
Kaweskaran (Qawasqaran, Alacalufan) (3?) – Chile •
Lule–Vilelan (2) – Argentina •
Mapudungun (Mapudungu, Araucano, Mapuche, Maputongo) (2) – Chile, Argentina •
Matacoan (4) – Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia •
Nadahup (4) – Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil •
Nambikwaran (4 ?) – Brazil •
Otomacoan (2) – Venezuela •
Sáliban (Sálivan) (3 ?) – Venezuela, Colombia •
Tallán (2) – Peru •
Tikuna–Yuri (3) – Peru, Colombia, Brazil •
Timotean (2) – Venezuela •
Tiniguan (2) – Colombia •
Uru–Chipaya (3) – Bolivia •
Yaguan (3) – Peru •
Witotoan (Huitotoan) (5) – Colombia, Peru •
Yanomaman (4) – Venezuela, Brazil •
Zamucoan (2) – Paraguay, Bolivia •
Zaparoan (3–8?) – Peru, Ecuador ;Isolates •
Aikaná – Brazil •
Andaquí – Colombia •
Andoque (Andoke) – Colombia, Peru •
Arara do Rio Branco – Brazil •
Arutani (Ahuaqué, Uruak) – Venezuela, Brazil •
Atacameño (Cunza, Kunza, Atacama, Lipe) – Chile, Bolivia, Argentina •
Betoi–Jirara – Colombia •
Candoshi (Candoxi, Maina, Shapra, Murato) – Peru •
Canichana – Bolivia •
Cayuvava (Cayuwaba, Cayubaba) – Bolivia •
Chiquitano – Bolivia •
Chono – Chile •
Cofán (A'ingaé) – Colombia, Ecuador •
Culle – Peru •
Esmeralda – Ecuador •
Guachí – Brazil •
Guamo – Venezuela •
Guató – Brazil •
Iatê (Furniô, Fornió, Carnijó; Yaté) – Brazil •
Irantxe (Iranche, Münkü) – Brazil •
Itonama (Saramo, Machoto) – Bolivia, Brazil •
Jotí (Yuwana) – Venezuela •
Kamsá (Sibundoy, Coche) – Colombia •
Kanoê (Kanoé, Kapixaná) – Brazil •
Kwaza (Koayá, Koaiá, Arara) – Brazil •
Leko – Bolivia •
Máku (Jukude) – Brazil •
Matanawí – Brazil •
Mochica (Yunga, Yunca, Chimú, Mochica, Muchic) – Peru •
Moseten–Chimane (Mosetén) – Bolivia •
Movima – Bolivia •
Munichi (Muniche, Munichino, Otanabe) – Peru •
Omurano (Humurana, Numurana) – Peru •
Paezan (1–3; smal family ?) – Colombia •
Payaguá – Paraguay •
Pirahã (Muran) (possibly family of close languages) – Brazil •
Puinave (Wãnsöhöt) – Colombia, Venezuela •
Purí–Coroado – Brazil •
Puquina – Bolivia •
Sapé (Kaliana, Caliana, Cariana, Chirichano) – Venezuela •
Sechura? – Peru •
Taruma (Taruamá) – Brazil, Guyana •
Taushiro (Pinchi, Pinche) – Peru •
Tequiraca (Tekiraka, Aushiri, Auishiri, Avishiri) – Peru •
Trumai (Trumaí) – Brazil •
Urarina (Simacu, Kachá, Itucale) – Peru •
Waorani (Sabela, Huao, Auca, Huaorani, Auishiri) – Ecuador •
Warao (Guarao, Warau, Guaruno) – Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela •
Xukurú – Brazil •
Yagan (Yaghan, Yamana, Yámana) – Chile •
Yaruro (Pumé, Llaruro, Yaruru, Yuapín) – Venezuela •
Yuracaré – Bolivia •
Yurumangui – Colombia ==All of the Americas==