Colombia

Spanish

[spa] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1991, Constitution, Article 10). 48,984,000 in Colombia, all users. L1 users: 48,900,000 in Colombia (2019). L2 users: 84,000 (2019).

3 (Wider communication)

Cubeo

[cub] 3 (Wider communication). Cubeo is lingua franca for northwest Vaupés area and Tucano [tuo] is the lingua franca for the southeast section. 6,100 in Colombia (Civallero 2008), increasing. 610 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 14,100 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 6,260.

Tucano

[tuo] 3 (Wider communication). Tucano is the lingua franca for southeast Vaupés section and Cubeo [cub] is the lingua franca for the northwest area. 7,020 in Colombia (Crevels 2012). 25 Pisamira and 7,000 Tucano (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 4,400 (2018 census). 4,075 Tucano, 196 Pisamira, and 127 Betoye (2018 census).

4 (Educational)

Cacua

[cbv] 4 (Educational). 220 (Crevels 2012). Many monolinguals, especially children. Ethnic population: 150 (2018 census).

Epena

[sja] 4 (Educational). 3,500 in Colombia (2004 IMB), increasing. Ethnic population: 7,050 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 3,552.

5 (Developing)

Camsá

[kbh] 5* (Developing). 4,000 (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 7,520 (2018 census).

Carapana

[cbc] 5* (Developing). 460 in Colombia (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 1,040 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 523.

Cuiba

[cui] 5* (Developing). 2,200 in Colombia (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 1,440 (2018 census). 900 Cuiba, 520 Masiware, and 20 Chiricoa (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 2,640.

Curripaco

[kpc] 5* (Developing). 7,000 in Colombia (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 11,900 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 12,070.

Embera Chamí

[cmi] 5* (Developing). 45,000 (2022 SIL). Ethnic population: Total Emberá in Colombia in 2001: 88,700 (Crevels 2012).

Emberá, Northern

[emp] 5* (Developing). 49,700 in Colombia (2001 census). Ethnic population: Total Emberá in Colombia in 2001: 88,700 (Crevels 2012).

Kuna, Border

[kvn] 5* (Developing). 2,600 in Colombia (2012 SIL). Ethnic population: 2,610 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 3,500.

Misak

[gum] 5* (Developing). 21,000 (Civallero 2008), increasing. 2,100 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 39,800 (2018 census).

Piapoco

[pio] 5* (Developing). 4,930 in Colombia (2007 Moyano). Ethnic population: 14,700 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 6,680.

Quichua, Napo Lowland

[qvo] 5* (Developing). Undetermined number in Colombia. Ethnic population: 3,690 (2018 census).

Wajiara

[yui] 5* (Developing). 1,100 in Colombia (2011 SIL), increasing. Few monolinguals.

Wayuu

[guc] 5* (Developing). 122,000 in Colombia (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 380,000 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 416,000.

Woun Meu

[noa] 5* (Developing). 4,000 in Colombia (Aikhenvald 2007). Ethnic population: 14,800 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 10,800.

Yucuna

[ycn] 5* (Developing). 770 (Crevels 2012). 10 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,580 (2018 census).

Arhuaco

[arh] 5 (Developing). 8,000 (2009 P. Frank). 7,200 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 34,700 (2018 census).

Colombian Sign Language

[csn] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2005, Presidential Law 982). 151,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 101,000–201,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.2%–0.4% of the general population.

Guahibo

[guh] 5 (Developing). 23,000 in Colombia (Arango Ochoa and Sánchez Gutierrez 1998). 9,200 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 52,400 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 35,000.

Guayabero

[guo] 5 (Developing). 1,000 (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 2,960 (2018 census).

Tunebo, Central

[tuf] 5 (Developing). 2,500 in Colombia (2000 SIL). Ethnic population: All ethnic Tunebos: 10,600 (2018 census).

Waimaha

[bao] 5 (Developing). 110 in Colombia (Crevels 2012). Some monolinguals over 40. Ethnic population: 1,000 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 131.

5 (Dispersed)

English

[eng] 5* (Dispersed). 2,023,900 in Colombia, all users. L1 users: 23,900 in Colombia (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. L2 users: 2,000,000 (2019).

6a (Vigorous)

Barasana-Eduria

[bsn] 6a* (Vigorous). 1,890 (1993 census). Ethnic population: 1,030 (2018 census). 910 Barasano and 120 Eduria (2018 census).

Barí

[mot] 6a* (Vigorous). 3,500 in Colombia (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 3,020 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 5,020.

Embera Catío

[cto] 6a* (Vigorous). 15,000 in Colombia (1992 SIL). 13,500 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 48,100 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 15,040.

Hupdë

[jup] 6a (Vigorous). 240 in Colombia (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 240 (Crevels 2007).

Inga, Jungle

[inj] 6a* (Vigorous). 11,200 (2007 OCIP).

Islander English Creole

[icr] 6a* (Vigorous). 12,000 (1981 SIL).

Kogi

[kog] 6a (Vigorous). 9,910 (2004 DNP). Nearly all monolingual. Ethnic population: 15,800 (2001 census).

Koreguaje

[coe] 6a (Vigorous). 2,100 (Civallero 2008). Speakers of Koreguaje represent a fusion of various ethnic groups. Also spoken by Inga, Witoto, Carijona, and Tama (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 3,260 (2018 census).

Macuna

[myy] 6a (Vigorous). 1,000 in Colombia (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 1,960 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 1,032.

Nukak Makú

[mbr] 6a (Vigorous). 390 (Crevels 2012). 200 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 740 (2018 census).

Piaroa

[pid] 6a* (Vigorous). 770 in Colombia (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 1,130 (2018 census).

Piratapuyo

[pir] 6a (Vigorous). 630 in Colombia (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 1,110 (2018 census).

Tatuyo

[tav] 6a* (Vigorous). 330 (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 330 (Crevels 2012).

Ticuna

[tca] 6a (Vigorous). 6,600 in Colombia (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 13,800 (2018 census).

Tunebo, Western

[tnb] 6a* (Vigorous). 700 (1998). Ethnic population: All ethnic Tunebos: 10,600 (2018 census).

6b (Threatened)

Achagua

[aca] 6b (Threatened). 250 (2000 M. Lozano), decreasing. Ethnic population: 980 (2018 census).

Awa-Cuaiquer

[kwi] 6b* (Threatened). 12,000 in Colombia (Civallero 2008), decreasing. No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 44,500 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 14,100.

Caló

[rmq] 6b* (Threatened). Ethnic population: 5,000 (2005 census).

Carabayo

[cby] 6b (Threatened). 150. Ethnic population: 220 (Crevels 2012).

Chimila

[cbg] 6b (Threatened). 350 (2009 T. Malone), increasing. Ethnic population: 1,700 (2018 census).

Cofán

[con] 6b (Threatened). 380 in Colombia (Crevels 2012), decreasing. Many monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,820 (2018 census).

Desano

[des] 6b (Threatened). 2,460 in Colombia (2001 census). Ethnic population: 3,640 (2018 census).

Embera Baudó

[bdc] 6b* (Threatened). 5,000 (1995 SIL). Ethnic population: Total Emberá in Colombia in 2001: 88,700 (Crevels 2012).

Embera Tadó

[tdc] 6b* (Threatened). 2,300 (2014 SIL). Ethnic population: Total Emberá in Colombia in 2001: 88,700 (Crevels 2012).

Guanano

[gvc] 6b (Threatened). 300 in Colombia (Arango Ochoa and Sánchez Gutierrez 1998). Ethnic population: 3,310 (2018 census).

Inga

[inb] 6b* (Threatened). 18,000 in Colombia (Civallero 2008). Dispersed in various regions; adopted commerce as a survival strategy (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 19,600 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 22,000.

Macaguán

[mbn] 6b* (Threatened). 300 (Civallero 2008). Most are monolingual. Ethnic population: 510 (2018 census).

Malayo

[mbp] 6b (Threatened). 1,850 (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 18,200 (2018 census).

Nasa

[pbb] 6b* (Threatened). 60,000 (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 243,000 (2018 census).

Palenquero

[pln] 6b (Threatened). 500 (Holm 1989). Ethnic population: 3,500.

Playero

[gob] 6b (Threatened). 150 in Colombia (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 160 (Crevels 2007). Total users in all countries: 350.

Puinave

[pui] 6b* (Threatened). 2,000 in Colombia (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 9,000 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 2,550.

Siriano

[sri] 6b (Threatened). 200 in Colombia (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 1,660 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 217.

Tanimuca-Letuama

[tnc] 6b* (Threatened). 1,800 (Crevels 2007). Retuarã more monolingual than Tanimuca. Ethnic population: 1,280 (2018 census).

Tunebo, Barro Negro

[tbn] 6b (Threatened). 300 (1981 SIL). Ethnic population: All ethnic Tunebos: 10,600 (2018 census).

Tuyuca

[tue] 6b (Threatened). 640 in Colombia (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 1,470 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 1,440.

Witoto, Murui

[huu] 6b* (Threatened). 600 in Colombia (2008). Ethnic population: 12,000 (2019). Total users in all countries: 1,000.

Yukpa

[yup] 6b* (Threatened). 3,000 in Colombia (2009 W. Largo). 600 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 3,610 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 6,020.

7 (Shifting)

Bora

[boa] 7 (Shifting). 600 in Colombia (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 1,810 (2018 census). 1,050 Bora, 760 Miraña (2018 census).

Cabiyarí

[cbb] 7 (Shifting). 270 (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 810 (2001 census).

Muinane

[bmr] 7 (Shifting). 150 (2007 F. Cuéllar). Ethnic population: 2,110 (2018 census).

Nhengatu

[yrl] 7 (Shifting). 8,000 in Colombia (2004 IMB). Ethnic population: 570 (2018 census).

Siona

[snn] 7 (Shifting). 200 in Colombia (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 2,600 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 460.

Witoto, Minika

[hto] 7 (Shifting). 1,500 (2008 K. Wojtylak). Ethnic population: 2,400 (2008 K. Wojtylak).

Witoto, Nipode

[hux] 7 (Shifting). 200 in Colombia (2017 K. Wojtylak). Ethnic population: 480 (Griffiths et al 2001). Total users in all countries: 250.

Yagua

[yad] 7 (Shifting). 300 in Colombia (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 980 (2018 census).

8a (Moribund)

Sáliba

[slc] 8a (Moribund). 1,300 in Colombia (Civallero 2008). Ethnic population: 4,780 (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 1,336.

8b (Nearly extinct)

Andoque

[ano] 8b (Nearly extinct). 370 (2007 B. Pencue), decreasing. 10,000 in 1908 (Landaburu 1979). 50 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 820 (2018 census).

Carijona

[cbd] 8b (Nearly extinct). 6 (Crevels 2007). 6 speakers near La Pedrera and a few more near Miraflores (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 530 (2018 census).

Nonuya

[noj] 8b (Nearly extinct). 2 in Colombia (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 290 (2018 census).

Ocaina

[oca] 8b (Nearly extinct). 5 in Colombia (Patiño 2000). Ethnic population: 410 (2018 census).

Providencia Sign Language

[prz] 8b (Nearly extinct). 19 (Washabaugh 1986). Known by most people on Providencia, including 19 born deaf out of 2,500 to 3,000 population (Washabaugh 1986), approximately 0.6%–0.75%.

Tinigua

[tit] 8b (Nearly extinct). 1 (2013 J. P. Tobal).

Tunebo, Angosturas

[tnd] 8b (Nearly extinct). 50. Ethnic population: All ethnic Tunebos: 10,600 (2018 census).

9 (Dormant)

Andaqui

[ana] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers. The last speaker probably died by the 1970s (Loukotka 1968).

Cocama-Cocamilla

[cod] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers in Colombia. Last known speakers in Colombia survived into the 1990s. Possibly only a few semi-speakers (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 3,220 (2018 census).

Macaguaje

[mcl] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers. The last speaker either died or shifted to Siona [snn] or Koreguaje [coe] by the 1970s. Ethnic population: 24 (2018 census).

Pijao

[pij] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers. The last speaker may have died by the 1960s (Zwisler 2018). Ethnic population: 51,600 (2018 census).

Tama

[ten] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers. The last speaker probably died by the 1960s (Loukotka 1968). Ethnic population: 610 (2018 census).

Tariana

[tae] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers in Colombia. Last known speaker in Colombia likely survived into the 1990s. Ethnic population: 210 (2018 census).

Totoro

[ttk] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers. Last known speakers survived into the first decade of the 2000s (Arango Ochoa and Sánchez Gutierrez 1998). Ethnic population: 8,920 (2018 census).

Yahuna

[ynu] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers. Survived into the early 1900s. Ethnic population: 110 (2018 census).

10 (Extinct)

Anserma

[ans] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. 7 families still spoke it in 1995 (Rendón 2011).

Caramanta

[crf] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. Extinct by mid 20th century.

Unestablished

German, Standard

[deu] Unestablished. 4,500 in Colombia (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Romani, Vlax

[rmy] Unestablished. 4,850 in Colombia (2005 census). Several hundred thousand throughout Latin America (Hancock 1984a).

Colombia

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