List of unclassified languages of South America
Wikimedia list article
The following purported languages of South America are listed as unclassified in either Campbell (2024), Loukotka (1968), Ethnologue, or Glottolog. Nearly all are extinct. It is likely that many of them were not actually distinct languages, only ethnic or regional names.
Campbell (2024)
Campbell (2024) lists the following languages of South America as unclassified. Most are extinct. Many were drawn from Loukotka (1968) and Adelaar & Muysken (2004). The majority are not listed in Ethnologue. The list is arranged in alphabetical order.
Aarufi – Colombia
Aburuñe – Bolivia; spoken near Pantanal
Acarapi – Brazil
Aconipa (Tabancale, Tabancara) – Ecuador; only 5 words known which are dissimilar to other languages
Aguano (Awano, Ahuano, Uguano, Aguanu, Santa Crucino) – Peru; completely unattested but thought to be Arawakan
Alarua – Brazil
Alon – Peru; along the Huallaga River
Amasifuin – Peru; along the Huallaga River
Amikoana (Amikuân, Amicuan) – Brazil; appears to be nonexistent and is certainly extinct now, classified by Loukotka (1968) as a Cariban language related to Wayana, Arakajú and Apalaí
Amoeca – Brazil
Amuimo – Brazil
Anetine – Bolivia
Angara – Peru
Anicum – Brazil
Anserma (including Caramanta, Cartama) – Colombia, is considered Chocoan
Aperea – Argentina
Apitupá – Brazil
Apiyipán – Bolivia
Aracadaini – Brazil
Arae – Brazil
Aramayu – Brazil
Aramurú – Brazil
Arapoá – Brazil
Ararau – Brazil
Arda – Peru, Colombia; a misidentified vocabulary and texts of the West African language Popo (Gen)
Arma (Arma-Pozo) – Colombia; known from one word only
Aroásene – Brazil
Artane – Bolivia; spoken near Pantanal
Atavila – Peru
Aticum (Araticum, Uamué) – Brazil; data from Meader (1978) likely to be faked
Atunceta (Tunceta, Atunseta) – Colombia, unclassifiable for lack of data
Aueiko – Brazil
Avis – Brazil
Ayacore – Peru
Baenan (Baenã) – Brazil; only 9 words known
Bagua – Peru; only 3 words known, thought to be Cariban and incorrectly conflated with likely related Patagón
Baixóta – Brazil
Bakurönchichi – Brazil
Barbacoas (Barbácoa, Colima) – Colombia; ISO 639 code retired in 2020 for being nonexistent
Bauá – Brazil
Bikutiakap – Brazil
Bixarenren – Brazil
Boimé (Poyme) – Brazil
Bolona – Ecuador; linked with Chicham and Cañari
Bracamoro (Papamuru) – Peru
Buritiguara – Brazil
Caapina – Brazil
Cabixi (Kabixi) - Mato Grosso, Brazil; a short word-list. The name 'Kabixí' is a generic name for any hostile group, and has been used for a number of unattested and already known languages.
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