Argentina

Summary

Official Name: Argentine Republic
Population: 45,809,000
Principal Languages: Spanish
Literacy Rate: 99% (2018 UNESCO)
International Conventions: CDE (1960), CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), ICCPR (1966), (), UNCRPD (2006), UNDRIP (2007)
General References: Acebes 1966, Campbell 1997, Crevels 2007, Tovar 1961
Deaf Population: 2,056,000
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Argentina is 32. Of these, 25 are living and 7 are extinct. Of the living languages, 14 are indigenous and 11 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 2 are institutional, 8 are developing, 1 is vigorous, 6 are in trouble, and 8 are dying. Also listed are 24 unestablished languages.

Languages

Abipon axb: Santa Fe province. Users: No known L1 speakers. The last speaker is thought to have died in the 19th century. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Abipón Classification: Guaykuruan, Guaykurú
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
Chané caj: Salta province. Users: No known L1 speakers in Argentina. Last speaker likely died in the 18th century. Status: 10 (Extinct). Classification: Maipurean, Southern, Southern Outlier, Terena
Chinese zho: Users: 76,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished.
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
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
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, Qhichwa, Qhishwa 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

Maps

Argentina and Chile

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Argentina with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Argentina is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of vitality. The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level.
The vitality levels and the color coding of the bars match the scheme used in the guide on How many languages are endangered? In this scheme, the levels and colors are as follows:
- Dark green = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Light green = Stable (EGIDS 5-6a) — The language is not being sustained by formal institutions, but It is still the norm in the home and community that all children learn and use the language.
- Red = Endangered (EGIDS 6b-9) — It is no longer the norm that children learn and use this language.
These three summary levels have been derived by grouping levels in the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS), which is the more fine-grained scale that Ethnologue uses to assess the status of every language in terms of development versus endangerment; see the Language Status page for a description of the levels of that scale. See also the pages on Development and Endangerment for more discussion.
Language Status Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Argentina with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Argentina is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of development or endangerment as measured on the EGIDS scale. (See the pages on Development and Endangerment for a fuller explanation.) The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level. Consult the Status listings for Argentina in order to see the specific languages for each level.
The color coding of the bars matches the color scheme used in the summary profile graphs on the navigation maps for the site. In this scheme, the EGIDS levels are grouped as follows:
- Purple = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Blue = Developing (EGIDS 5) — The language is in vigorous use, with literature in a standardized form being used by some though this is not yet widespread or sustainable.
- Green = Vigorous (EGIDS 6a) — The language is unstandardized and in vigorous use among all generations.
- Yellow = In trouble (EGIDS 6b-7) — Intergenerational transmission is in the process of being broken, but the child-bearing generation can still use the language so it is possible that revitalization efforts could restore transmission of the language in the home.
- Red = Dying (EGIDS 8a-9) — The only fluent users (if any) are older than child-bearing age, so it is too late to restore natural intergenerational transmission through the home; a mechanism outside the home would need to be developed.
- Black = Extinct (EGIDS 10) — The language has fallen completely out of use and no one retains a sense of ethnic identity associated with the language.

Resources

View Terms
Each Ethnologue country digest is a licensed product with restricted terms of use. Before downloading the product, you must agree to the following terms:
- This is a license for individual use. Just as with a conventionally published book, it is a violation of copyright to make a copy and give it to others.
- You may not redistribute this work in any form, including ingesting the contents into a database that is shared with others or posting it on a web site (whether public or private).
To inquire about permission for reuse or redistribution, please use the Contact Us form in the footer.
I agree to the digest terms of use.
Digest of the languages of Argentina ($149.95, 31 page PDF)

Argentina

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Argentina and Chile

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action