Venezuela

Spanish

[spa] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1999, Constitution, Article 9). 28,162,000 in Venezuela, all users. L1 users: 27,500,000 in Venezuela (2019). L2 users: 662,000 (2019).

4 (Educational)

English

[eng] 4 (Educational). 29,400 in Venezuela (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

5 (Developing)

Cuiba

[cui] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4), The Amorua dialect of Cuiba [cui] is listed separately in the statute. 440 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Nearly all monolingual. Ethnic population: 400 (2011 census).

E’ñapa Woromaipu

[pbh] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 4,180 (Crevels 2012). 2,480 monolinguals. Nearly all women monolingual; men fairly bilingual in Spanish [spa]. Ethnic population: 4,690 (2011 census).

Maco

[wpc] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 1,100 (2011). Ethnic population: 1,330 (2011 census).

Sanumá

[xsu] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 3,040 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 1,440 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 3,500.

Wayuu

[guc] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 294,000 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 413,000 (2011 census).

Yanomamö

[guu] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 12,200 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 9,570 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 16,200.

6a (Vigorous)

Hodï

[yau] 6a (Vigorous). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 1,500 (2019 S. Zent). Ethnic population: 1,500 (2020 S. Zent).

Maquiritari

[mch] 6a* (Vigorous). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 6,200 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 8,000 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 6,630.

Pumé

[yae] 6a* (Vigorous). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 7,900 (2001 census). 590 urban, 7,310 rural. Ethnic population: 9,480 (2011 census).

Venezuelan Sign Language

[vsl] 6a (Vigorous). Recognized language (1999, Constitution, Chapter 5, Article 81). 86,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 57,000–114,000 deaf signers, assuming 0.2%–0.4% of total population.

Warao

[wba] 6a (Vigorous). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 32,400 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 48,800 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 32,900.

6b (Threatened)

Barí

[mot] 6b* (Threatened). 1,520 in Venezuela (Crevels 2007). Significant number are still monolingual (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 2,840 (2011 census).

Carib

[car] 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 4,450 in Venezuela (2001 census). Ethnic population: 38,800 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 8,558.

Curripaco

[kpc] 6b* (Threatened). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 3,740 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 7,350 (2011 census).

Guahibo

[guh] 6b* (Threatened). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 12,000 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). 37% urban (2001 census). Ethnic population: 24,000 (2011 census).

Japreria

[jru] 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 170 (2002 census). 10 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 160 (2011 census).

Ninam

[shb] 6b* (Threatened). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 560 in Venezuela (2010 L. Campbell). Ethnic population: 420 (2011 census).

Pemon

[aoc] 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4), Three dialects listed separately: Kamarakoto, Arekuna, and Taurepan. 23,100 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 30,100 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 24,080.

Piapoco

[pio] 6b* (Threatened). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 1,750 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 3,710 (2011 census).

Piaroa

[pid] 6b* (Threatened). Statutory language of provincial identity in Amazonas and Bolivar states (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 13,000 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 19,300 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 13,770.

Playero

[gob] 6b (Threatened). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 200 in Venezuela (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 200 (Crevels 2007).

Puinave

[pui] 6b* (Threatened). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 550 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 1,720 (2011 census).

Yukpa

[yup] 6b* (Threatened). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 3,020 in Venezuela (2007). 2,220 urban; 800 rural. Ethnic population: 10,600 (2011 census).

7 (Shifting)

Akawaio

[ake] 7 (Shifting). 180 in Venezuela (2001 census). Ethnic population: 1,070 (2011 census).

German, Colonia Tovar

[gct] 7 (Shifting). 1,500 (2009 H. Collin). Ethnic population: 6,000.

Macushi

[mbc] 7 (Shifting). The number of Makushi speakers in Venezuela is not clear since 1992 Indigenous Census probably included them in the Pemon group (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 89 (2011 census).

8a (Moribund)

Arawak

[arw] 8a (Moribund). 130 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 1,330 (2011 census).

Baniwa

[bwi] 8a (Moribund). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 610 in Venezuela (2007 SIL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 3,500 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 6,420.

Guarequena

[gae] 8a (Moribund). 160 in Venezuela (2001 census). Ethnic population: 620 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 180.

Patamona

[pbc] 8a (Moribund). Ethnic population: 200 (Crevels 2007).

Sáliba

[slc] 8a (Moribund). 36 in Venezuela (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 340 (2011 census).

Yabarana

[yar] 8a (Moribund). 150 (Crevels 2012). Ethnic population: 440 (2011 census).

8b (Nearly extinct)

Baré

[bae] 8b (Nearly extinct). A few elders. 2 semi-speakers (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 5,040 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 2.

Chaima

[ciy] 8b (Nearly extinct). 63 (2011 census). Ethnic population: 13,200 (2011 census).

Mapoyo

[mcg] 8b (Nearly extinct). 2 (2014), decreasing. A few semi-speakers left (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 420 (2011 census).

Nengatu

[yrl] 8b (Nearly extinct). Very few, if any, speakers left in Venezuela (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 2,130 (2011 census).

Paraujano

[pbg] 8b (Nearly extinct). Recognized language (2008, Indigenous Languages Law, Article 4). 1 (Álvarez 2009). Ethnic population: 20,800 (2011).

9 (Dormant)

Arutani

[atx] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers in Venezuela. 6 semi-speakers (Labrada et al 2020). Ethnic population: 20 (2011 census).

Cumanagoto

[cuo] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers (Campbell 1997). Probably extinct by late 20th century. Ethnic population: 20,900 (2011).

Sapé

[spc] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers. The last fluent speaker, Ramón Quimillo Lezama, died in November 2018. Ethnic population: 9 (2011 census).

Tunebo, Central

[tuf] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers in Venezuela (Crevels 2007). Possibly extinct in Venezuela (Crevels 2007). Ethnic population: 9 (2011 census).

10 (Extinct)

Baniva

[bvv] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. Probably extinct by late 20th century.

Máku

[xak] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers in Venezuela. The last speaker died in 2001. Total users in all countries: none known.

Mandahuaca

[mht] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. Last speakers may have survived into the 1990s. Ethnic population: The size of the ethnic group is not clear since the usually cited number of 3,000 (1975 G. Indigenista) probably includes Baré [bae], Baniva [bwi] and Mandahuaca (Crevels 2007).

Pémono

[pev] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. Last speaker likely died in the mid-2000s (2000 M. Muller).

Tamanaku

[tmz] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. Probably extinct by the 20th century.

Yavitero

[yvt] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. The last speaker survived into the 2000s.

Unestablished

Arabic, North Levantine Spoken

[apc] Unestablished. 127,000 in Venezuela (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Chinese

[zho] Unestablished. 400,000 in Venezuela.

Inga

[inb] Unestablished. 4,000 in Venezuela (1995 SIL). Ethnic population: 830 (2011 census).

Portuguese

[por] Unestablished. 254,000 in Venezuela (2005).

Venezuela

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