Argentina
PrintPrimary tabs
Argentine Sign Language
[aed] Scattered. More than 50% in large cities (Massone 1995). Users: 60,000 (Caceres 2017). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: LSA, Lengua de Señas Argentina. Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language.
Armenian, Western
[hyw] Users: 149,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Armenian.
Aymara, Central
[ayr] Jujuy and Salta provinces: in the mountains and urban areas. Users: 4,100 in Argentina (Crevels 2012). Status: Unestablished. Alternate Names: Aimara. Classification: Aymaran, Aymara.
Belarusian
[bel] Users: 3,900 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East.
Bermejo Wichí
[wlv] Chaco province: General Güemes department; Formosa province: Bermejo, Matacos, Patiño, Ramón Lista departments; Salta province: Anta, Metán, Orán, Rivadavia, and San Martín departments. Users: 31,500 (2021 C. Wallis). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Vejos, Vejoz, Wichí Lhamtés Vejoz, “Mataco Vejoz” (pej.). Autonym: wichi. Classification: Matacoan, Mataco.
Catalan
[cat] Users: 198,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, East Iberian.
Chinese
[zho] A macrolanguage. 76,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Non-indigenous.
Chorote, Iyojwa’ja
[crt] Salta province: near the Pilcomayo river. Users: 800 (Crevels 2007). 1,690, all Chorote, both [crt] and [crq] (Crevels 2012). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Chorote, Choroti, Eklenjuy, Yofuaha, Yowúwa. Classification: Matacoan, Chorote.
Chorote, Iyo’wujwa
[crq] Salta province. Users: 1,500 in Argentina (Crevels 2007). 1,690, all Chorote, both [crt] and [crq] (Crevels 2012). 750 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 2,610 (Crevels 2012). Includes all ethnic Chorote, both [crt] and [crq]. Total users in all countries: 1,870. Status: 5 (Developing). Autonym: Yojwaja. Classification: Matacoan, Chorote.
Croatian
[hrv] Users: 4,200 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western.
Czech
[ces] Users: 8,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak.
English
[eng] Widespread, mostly in Buenos Aires. Users: 7,100,000 in Argentina, all users. L1 users: 100,000 in Argentina (1985 New York Times). L2 users: 7,000,000 (2020). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Inglés. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English.
French
[fra] Users: 16,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French.
Galician
[glg] Users: 752,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Galego, Gallego. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician.
German, Standard
[deu] Widespread. Users: 42,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Ethnic population: 3,500,000. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Alemán, Deutsch. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German.
Greek
[ell] Users: 41,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic.
Guaraní, Ava
[nhd] Misiones province; possibly also in Buenos Aires, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Jujuy, Salta, and Santa Fe provinces. Users: 5,140 in Argentina (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 21,800. Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Apytare, Ava Guaraní, Chiripá, Nhandeva, Tsiripá, Txiripá, Ñandeva. Classification: Tupian, Tupí-Guaraní, Guaraní, Guaraní.
Guaraní, Mbyá
[gun] Corrientes and Misiones provinces: south bank, Alto Parana river, Posadas area; shared border. Users: 3,910 in Argentina (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 8,220 (Crevels 2012). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Eastern Argentina Guaraní, Mbua, Mbya, Mbyá, Nhandeayvu. Classification: Tupian, Tupí-Guaraní, Guaraní, Guaraní.
Guaraní, Paraguayan
[gug] Regions bordering Paraguay. Users: 200,000 in Argentina. Ethnic population: 593,000 (2018). Status: Unestablished. Alternate Names: Correntino Guaraní. Classification: Tupian, Tupí-Guaraní, Guaraní, Guaraní.
Guaraní, Western Argentine
[gui] Jujuy and Salta provinces. Users: 15,000 in Argentina (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 21,000 (Crevels 2007). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Eastern Bolivian Guaraní, Guaraní, “Chabanco” (pej.), “Chaguanco” (pej.), “Chawuncu” (pej.), “Chiriguano” (pej.). Classification: Tupian, Tupí-Guaraní, Guaraní, Guaraní, Bolivian Guaraní.
Italian
[ita] Users: 1,120,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: 4 (Educational). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian.
Japanese
[jpn] Users: 38,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Japonic.
Kabuverdianu
[kea] Users: 14,000 in Argentina (2015 Instituto de Apoio ao Emigrante). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Creole, Portuguese based.
Korean
[kor] Users: 32,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Koreanic.
Lao
[lao] Users: 2,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Kra-Dai, Kam-Tai, Tai, Southwestern.
Lule
[ule] Gran Chaco, between the Pilcomayo river and the Andean foothills. Users: No known L1 speakers. Reported to have been in use by 5 families in 1981 (Campbell 1997). Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Lule-Tonocoté, Tonocoté. Classification: Unclassified.
Mapudungun
[arn] Neuquén, Río Negro, and Chubut provinces; Mendoza province, possibly Buenos Aires. Users: 8,410 in Argentina (2004 census). Ethnic population: 114,000 (2004). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Huilliche, Manzanero, Mapuche, Mapudungu, Maputongo, Pehuenche, Ranquel, “Araucanian” (pej.), “Araucano” (pej.). Classification: Mapudungu.
Mocoví
[moc] Chaco and Santa Fe provinces. Users: 2,780 (Crevels 2012). A few elderly monolinguals. Ethnic population: 15,800 (Crevels 2012). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Mbocobí, Mocobí, Mokovi. Classification: Guaykuruan, Southern.
Nivaclé
[cag] Salta province: Rivadavia and San Martín departments; Tartagal outskirts and Misión La Paz. Users: 220 in Argentina (2004 INDEC). Ethnic population: 550 (2001 INDEC). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Ashlushlay, Guisnai, “Chulupe” (pej.), “Chulupi” (pej.), “Chulupie” (pej.), “Churupi” (pej.). Classification: Matacoan.
Ona
[ona] Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur province: Patagonia. Users: No known L1 speakers. The ethnic group disintegrated by early 20th century (Crevels 2007). The last speakers died in the 1980s (Moseley 2010). Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Aona, Choon, Selknam, Shelknam. Classification: Chon, Island Chon.
Piedmontese
[pms] Users: No known L1 speakers in Argentina. The language ceased to be used daily in the 1950s in favor of Spanish (Giolitto 2016); it may still be in use in major cities as a heritage language. Status: 9 (Dormant). Alternate Names: Piamontés, Piemontèis. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Italian.
Pilagá
[plg] Chaco province; Formosa province: Bermejo and Pilcomayo river valleys; Salta province. Users: 3,490 (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 4,470 (Crevels 2012). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Pilaca. Classification: Guaykuruan, Southern.
Pilcomayo Wichí
[mzh] Formosa province: Ramón Lista department, El Potrillo; Salta province: General San Martín department: Misión La Paz, Mosconi, and Tartagal. Users: 26,500 (2021 C. Wallis). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Güisnay, Wichí, Wichí Lhamtés Güisnay, “Mataco” (pej.), “Mataco Güisnay” (pej.), “Mataco Pilcomayo” (pej.), “Matako” (pej.). Autonym: Wichí Lhamtés. Classification: Matacoan, Mataco.
Plautdietsch
[pdt] Users: 4,000 in Argentina (Salminen 2007). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Saxon.
Polish
[pol] Users: 198,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Lechitic.
Portuguese
[por] Users: 58,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician.
Puelche
[pue] Chubut Province. Users: No known L1 speakers. Last fluent speaker died in 1960 (2012 ELP). Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Gennaken, Günün Yajich, Gününa Küne, Gününa Yajich, Northern Tehuelche, Pampa. Classification: Language isolate.
Quechua, South Bolivian
[quh] Buenos Aires, Jujuy, and Salta provinces. Users: 5,120 in Argentina (2004 census). Ethnic population: 70,500 (2004 INDEC). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Central Bolivian Quechua, Runasimi. Classification: Quechuan, Peripheral Quechua, Chinchay, Southern Chinchay.
Quichua, Santiago del Estero
[qus] Chaco province; Santiago del Estero province: Figueroa, Moreno, Robles, Sarmiento, Brigadier J. F. Ibarra, San Martín, Silipica, Loreto, Atamisqui, Avellaneda, Salavina, Quebrachos, Mitre, and Aguirre departments; perhaps Buenos Aires and Salta provinces. Users: 60,000 (2000 SIL), decreasing. No monolinguals. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Santiagueño Quichua. Autonym: Quichua. Classification: Quechuan, Peripheral Quechua, Chinchay, Southern Chinchay.
Romani, Vlax
[rmy] Users: 59,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Vlax.
Romanian
[ron] Users: 16,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern.
Russian
[rus] Users: 31,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East.
Serbian
[srp] Users: 6,400 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western.
Slovak
[slk] Users: 9,100 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak.
Slovene
[slv] Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires; Rio Negro province: Bariloche. Users: 12,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western.
Spanish
[spa] Users: 45,160,000 in Argentina, all users. L1 users: 44,000,000 in Argentina (2020). L2 users: 1,160,000 (2020). Status: 1 (National). De facto national language. Alternate Names: Español. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian.
Tapieté
[tpj] Salta province: Misión Tapieté, San Martín district, Curbita, near Pilcomayo river. Users: 180 in Argentina (2004 census). Ethnic population: 520 (2001 INDEC). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Guasurangue, Tirumbae, Yanaigua, Ñanagua, “Guarayo” (pej.). Classification: Tupian, Tupí-Guaraní, Guaraní, Guaraní.
Tehuelche
[teh] Chubut province. Users: 1 (2012 ELP). Ethnic population: 10,600 (2004 INDEC). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Aonek’enk, Aoniken, Gunua-Kena, Gununa-Kena, Inaquen, Patagón, Tewelche. Classification: Chon.
Toba
[tob] Chaco province: Bermejito, Castelli, Fontana, La Leonesa, Las Palmas, Miraflores, Pampa del Indio, Pcia, Resistencia, Roca, Saenz Peña, San Martín, Tres Isletas; Corrientes province; Formosa province: El Colorado, Misión Laishí, San Carlos; Santa Fe province: Rosario. Users: 30,400 in Argentina (Crevels 2012). No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 69,500 (2004 INDEC). Total users in all countries: 31,580. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Chaco Sur, Namqom, Qom, Qoml’ek, Toba Qom, Toba Sur. Autonym: Qom l’aqtac. Classification: Guaykuruan, Southern.
Ukrainian
[ukr] Users: 31,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East.
Vilela
[vil] Chaco province: Resistencia; near Paraguay border. Users: No known L1 speakers. 20 speakers were reported in 1981. 2 semi-speakers remain (Crevels 2007). These semi-speakers are a brother and sister. They were 74 and 70 in 2008 (Harrison et al 2008). Status: 10 (Extinct). Classification: Language isolate.
Welsh
[cym] Chubut province. Users: 5,000 in Argentina (2017 N. Rees). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Cymraeg, Galés. Classification: Indo-European, Celtic, Insular, Brythonic.
Yámana
[yag] Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur province: Extreme south Isla Grande. Users: No known L1 speakers in Argentina. The last Yámana speaker in Argentina either died or relocated to Chile between 1965 and 1970 (Vidal 1999). Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Háusi Kúta, Yahgan. Classification: Language isolate.
Yiddish, Eastern
[ydd] Major cities. Users: The number of people speaking Yiddish is decreasing substantially (2014 L. Moreno). Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, Yiddish.