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List of extinct languages of Central America and the Caribbean

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Language Endangerment Status
Extinct (EX)
Endangered
Safe
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Related topics

UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger category
UNESCO Atlas of the World's
Languages in Danger categories

This is a list of extinct languages of Central America and the Caribbean, languages which have undergone language death, have no native speakers, and no spoken descendants.

There are 21 languages listed, 13 lost in Central America and 8 lost in the Caribbean.

Central America

[edit]
Language name Language family Extinction date Locations References
Cacaopera Misumalpan 20th century El Salvador
Chicomuceltec Mayan 1970s or 1980s Guatemala, Mexico
Chiquimulilla Xincan 1996 Guatemala
Chʼoltiʼ language Mayan late 18th century Guatemala, Belize
Guazacapán Xincan 1997 Guatemala
Jumaytepeque Xincan 1997 Guatemala
Lenca Lencan languages 20th century Honduras, El Salvador
Mangue/Chorotega Oto-Manguean 19th century Nicaragua, Honduras, and Costa Rica
Matagalpa Misumalpan 1997 Nicaragua
Sinacantán Xincan 20th century Guatemala
Subtiaba Oto-Manguean 20th century Nicaragua
Western Jicaque Jicaquean late 19th centuery Honduras
Yupiltepeque Xincan 1920s Guatemala

The Caribbean

[edit]
Language name Language family Extinction date Locations References
Caquetio Arawakan 1862 ABC islands (Leeward Antilles)
Ciguayo unclassified 16th century Hispaniola
Guanahatabey unclassified 16th century Cuba
Kalinago/Island Carib Arawakan 1920s Windward Islands (Guadeloupe to Grenada, except Barbados)
Macorix unclassified 16th century Hispaniola
Shebaya Arawakan 19th century Trinidad
Taino Arawakan 19th century Widespread throughout Caribbean
Yaio Cariban 17th century Trinidad, French Guiana