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List of extinct languages of Asia

Asian extinct languages From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is a list of languages and dialects that have no native speakers, no spoken descendants, and that diverged from their parent language in Asia.

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There are 252 languages listed. 22 from Central Asia, 50 from East Asia, 22 from South Asia, 44 from Southeast Asia, 28 from Siberia and 86 from West Asia.

Central Asia

More information Language/dialect, Family ...
Language/dialect Family Date of extinction Ethnic group(s) Native to Notes
Avestan Indo-European 800s BC[1] Avestan people Central Asia Used as scriptural language of Zoroastrianism
Bactrian Indo-European 1000s AD[2] Bactrians Bactria
Bulgar Turkic 1200s AD[3] Bulgars Pontic–Caspian steppe
Cuman Turkic 1770 AD[4] Cumans Cumania
Fergana Kipchak Turkic 1920s[5] Fergana Kipchak speakers Fergana Valley
Gorgani Indo-European 1500–1700s AD[6] Semnani Gorgan
Hunnic unclassified 400s AD[7] Huns Eurasian Steppe
Inku Indo-European 1990s[8] Jalali, Pikraj, Shadibaz, Vangawala Afghanistan
Kambojan Indo-European [data missing] Kambojas Kamboja Kingdom
Khazar Turkic 1100s AD[9] Khazars Khazar Khaganate
Khwarezmian Turkic 1000s AD[10] Khwarezmians Khwarazm
Moghol Mongolic 2013[11] Moghols Herat
Nam Sino-Tibetan [data missing] Nam speakers Central Asia
Ongkor Solon Tungusic since the 1950s[12] Ongkor Solons Xinjiang and Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture
Pahlavani Indo-European [data missing] Pahlavani people Chakhansur District
Parthian Indo-European 1000s AD[13] Parthians Parthia
Pontic Scythian Indo-European 0s BC[14] Scythians Pontic–Caspian steppe
Sarghulami Indo-European by 2014[15] Sarghulami Badakhshan
Tirahi Indo-European by 2025[16] Tirahi Nangarhar
Vanji Indo-European after 1925[17] Vanj people Emirate of Bukhara
Wotapuri-Katarqalai Indo-European 1960[18] Wotapuri-Katarqalai speakers Afghanistan
Yueban unclassified after 490 AD[citation needed] Yueban Jetisu
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East Asia

More information Language/dialect, Family ...
Language/dialect Family Date of extinction Ethnic group(s) Native to Notes
Alchuka Tungusic 1980s[citation needed] Alchuka Heilongjiang
Babuza Austronesian by 1977[19] Babuza and Taokas western coast of Taiwan
Baekje Koreanic 600s AD[20] Baekje Baekje
Bailang Sino-Tibetan 300s AD[21] Bailang speakers Sichuan
Bala Tungusic 1982 AD[22] Bala Zhangguangcai Range
Balhae unclassified [data missing] Balhae speakers Balhae
Basay Austronesian 1940–1960s[citation needed] Qauqaut and Basay Northern Taiwan
Buyeo Koreanic? 500s AD[23] Yemaek Manchuria
Di unclassified after 500s AD[citation needed] Di western China
Dingling unclassified after 600s AD[citation needed] Dingling northern China
Duan Para-Mongolic? after 356 AD[citation needed] Duan tribe Liaoxi Commandery
Favorlang Austronesian 1740–1760s[citation needed] Babuza Taiwan
Gaya unclassified 600s AD[23] Kara tribal confederation Gaya confederacy
Goguryeo Koreanic? 700s AD[24] Goguryeo people Manchuria and Korea
Hokkaido Ainu Ainu by 2021[25] Ainu people Hokkaido
Jie either Yeniseian or Turkic after 350 AD[citation needed] Jie people Northern China
Kiautschou German pidgin German-based pidgin 1900–1920s[26] German-educated Chinese Kiautschou Bay Leased Territory
Khitan Para-Mongolic? 1125 AD[27] Khitan people northeastern China, southeastern Mongolia and eastern Siberia
Khoton Turkic 1800s AD[28] Khotons Inner Mongolia and Mongolia
Kulon Austronesian [data missing] Kulon speakers Taiwan
Kyakala Tungusic 1980s[citation needed] Kyakala Northeastern China
Lewu Sino-Tibetan 1985[citation needed] Yao Yunnan
Longjia Sino-Tibetan possibly by 2011[29] Longjia Guizhou
Luilang Austronesian by 1977[19] Ketagalan Banqiao District
Luren Sino-Tibetan 1960s[30] Luren Guizhou
Mahan Koreanic? 600s AD[23] Mahan people Mahan confederacy
Matagi Japonic 2021 AD[31] Matagi Akita and Aomori
Mulao Kra–Dai 2010s[32] Mulao Guizhou
Okjeo Koreanic? 500s AD[23] Okjeo people Okjeo
Old Yue unclassified 0s AD[citation needed] Nanyue Southern China
Papora-Hoanya Austronesian by 2009[33] Papora and Hoanya Taiwan
Pazeh Austronesian 2010[34] Kazabu and Pazeh people Taiwan 12 speakers of Kaxabu dialect
Qifu Para-Mongolic? 400s AD[citation needed] Xianbei Western Qin
Rouran Mongolic after 620 AD[35] Rouran Rouran Khaganate (Mongolia and Northern China)
Siraya Austronesian 1800s AD[36] Siraya Taiwan
Taivoan Austronesian 1870–1890s AD[37] Taivoan people Taiwan
Tamna Japonic? 1400s AD[38] Tamnans Tamna
Tangut Sino-Tibetan 1500s AD[39] Tangut Northwestern China
Tocharian A Indo-European 850 AD[40] Tocharians Tarim Basin
Tocharian B Indo-European 850 AD[41] Tocharians Kucha
Tocharian C Indo-European 850 AD[42] Tocharians Tarim Basin
Tuyuhun Para-Mongolic? 500s AD[43] Tuyuhun people Tuyuhun
Tuoba Para-Mongolic? 400s AD[citation needed] Tuoba Northern China and Mongolia
Wuhuan Para-Mongolic? 200s AD[44] Wuhuan Inner Mongolia
Wusun Indo-European after 5th century AD[citation needed] Wusun Qilian Mountains and Dunhuang
Xiongnu unclassified 100s AD[citation needed] Xiongnu Xiongnu Empire
Xianbei Para-Mongolic? 200s AD[citation needed] Xianbei Xianbei state
Ye-Maek Koreanic 500s AD[23] Yemaek Manchuria and Southern Korea
Yokohamese Japanese based pidgin 1870–1890s[45] Western and Chinese traders Yokohama
Zhang-Zhung Sino-Tibetan 900s AD[46] Zhangzhung people western Tibet
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South Asia

More information Language/dialect, Family ...
Language/dialect Family Date of extinction Ethnic group(s) Native to Notes
Aariya unclassified after 1964[47] Aariya Madhya Pradesh
Ahom Kra–Dai 1800s Ahoms Assam
Angami Naga Sign Language language isolate after 1921 Angami Nagas Nagaland
Ashokan Prakrit Indo-European 232 BC[48] Ashoka Maurya Empire
Bengali Portuguese Creole Portuguese creole early 20th century[citation needed] Bengali Portuguese Creole speakers India and Bangladesh
Bombay Portuguese Creole Portuguese creole [data missing] Bombay Portuguese Creole speakers Mumbai
Chairel Sino-Tibetan after 1859[citation needed] Chairel speakers Manipur
Chakpa Sino-Tibetan since the 1950s[49] Chakpa speakers Manipur
Cochin Portuguese Creole Portuguese creole 20 August 2010[50] Cochin Portuguese Creole speakers Kochi
Dura Sino-Tibetan August 2008[51] Dura Nepal
Gandhari Indo-European 200s AD[52] Gandhari people Gandhara
Harappan unclassified 1900s BC[53] Harappan people Indus River
Judeo-Urdu Indo-European 1700s[citation needed] Baghdadi Jews Mumbai and Kolkata
Lubanki Indo-European [data missing] Labana Punjab
Malaryan Dravidian by 1996[54] Malaryan speakers Kerala
Moran Sino-Tibetan by 1931[55] Morans Assam
Nagarchal Dravidian 1981[56] Nagarchi Central India
Paishachi Indo-European 900s AD[57] Paishachi people North India
Rangas Sino-Tibetan after 1900–1920s[58] Rangkas people Uttarakhand
Shauraseni Prakrit Indo-European 1000s AD[59] Medieval Indians Medieval India
Tolcha Sino-Tibetan since the 1950s[60] Tolcchas Niti Valley Dialect of Rongpo
Ullatan Dravidian 1991[61] Ulladan India
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Southeast Asia

More information Language/dialect, Family ...
Language/dialect Family Date of extinction Ethnic group(s) Native to Notes
Ampanang Austronesian after 1905[62] Ampanang speakers Kenohan, Kutai Kartanegara Regency
Bale Andamanese 1930–1950s[63] Bale Ritchie's Archipelago, Havelock Island and Neil Island
Bea Andamanese 1931[63] Bea western Andaman Strait and the northern and western coast of South Andaman
Bo Andamanese January 26, 2010[64] Bo west central coast of the North Andaman and on the North Reef Island Dialect of Northern Andamanese
Cari Andamanese April 4, 2020[65] Cari north coast of North Andaman and on Landfall Island Dialect of Northern Andamanese
Dicamay Agta Austronesian 1957–1974 [66] Aeta Luzon
Hoti Austronesian by 2007 AD[67] Hoti speakers Maluku Islands
Hpon Sino-Tibetan 1990s[68] Hpon speakers Myanmar
Hukumina Austronesian by 2024[69] Hukumina speakers northwest Buru
Jangil Andamanese by 1920s[70] Jangil Rutland Island Unattested
Judeo-Malay Austronesian [data missing] Malaysian Jews Penang
Juwoi Andamanese 1931[63] Juwoi west central and southwest interior of Middle Andaman
Kamarian Austronesian 2001–2007[71] Kamarian west Seram Island
Katabangan Austronesian by 2006[72] Agta Bondoc Peninsula
Kayeli Austronesian 1989[73] Kayeli people Buru
Kede Andamanese 1930–1950s[63] Aka-Kede Southeast Middle Andaman
Kenaboi unclassified after 1890s[citation needed] Kenaboi Negeri Sembilan
Kol Andamanese 1921[63] Kol Northern section of Middle Andaman
Kora Andamanese November 2009[74] Kora northeast and north central coasts of North Andaman and Smith Island Dialect of Northern Andamanese
Lelak Austronesian 1970s[75] Lelak people Sarawak
Loun Austronesian [data missing] Loun people Maluku Islands
Luhu Austronesian by 2024[69] Luhu speakers Seram Island
Makuva Trans–New Guinea? 1950s[76] Makuva people East Timor
Mardijker Portuguese creole 2012[77] Mardijker people Jakarta
Mixed Great Andamanese Mixed Khora–Bo–Jeru–Sare on a Jeru base 2009[78] Jeru Strait Island
Moksela unclassified 1974[79] Moksela people Buru Island
Mount Iraya Agta Austronesian by 2013[80] Aeta east of Lake Buhi
Nakaʼela Austronesian 1990s[81] Nakaʼela speakers Maluku Islands
Nila Austronesian 1999[82] Nila speakers Nila Island and Seram Island
Pucikwar Andamanese 1930–1950s[63] Pucikwar south coast of Middle Andaman, northeast coast of South Andaman and Baratang Island
Palumata Austronesian? by 2024[69] Palumata speakers Buru
Phalok Austroasiatic since 1950s[83] Phalok people Chiang Mai Dialect of Eastern Lawa
Portugis Portuguese creole by 2024[69] Christians of mixed Portuguese and Malay ancestry Indonesia
Pyu Sino-Tibetan 1100s AD[84] Pyu people Myanmar
Rusenu Trans–New Guinea? after 2007[76] Rusenu speakers eastern East Timor
Sabüm Austroasiatic 1976[85] [data missing] Malaysia
Seru Austronesian since 1950s[86] Seru people Sarawak
Serua Austronesian by 2024[69] Seruans Seram Island
Taman Sino-Tibetan 1990s[87] Shan Tamanthi
Tambora Papuan April 1815[88] Tambora culture Sumbawa
Tây Bồi French pidgin after 1954[89] Vietnamese people Vietnam
Teun Austronesian 2013[90] Teun speakers Seram Island
Timor Pidgin Portuguese creole 1960s[91] Portuguese settlers Dili
Wila' Austroasiatic 1800s–1820s[citation needed] Wila' speaking people Malaysia
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Siberia

More information Language/dialect, Family ...
Language/dialect Family Date of extinction Ethnic group(s) Native to Notes
Arin Yeniseian late 1730s[92] Arins Yenisey between Yeniseysk and Krasnoyarsk
Arman Tungusic 1970s[93] Evens Arman river Dialect of Even
Assan Yeniseian 1790[94] Asan people Krasnoyarsk Krai
Bering Aleut Eskaleut March 2021[95] Aleuts Kamchatka Krai, Russia Dialect of Aleut
Chuvan Yukaghir 1700s[96] Chuvans Anadyr river basin of Chukotka
Eastern Itelmen Chukotko-Kamchatkan 1930s[97] Itelmens Kamchatka Peninsula
Eastern Mansi Uralic 2018[98] Mansi Khanty-Mansi
Govorka Russian based creole by 2005[99] Nganasan Taymyr Peninsula
Kamas Uralic 1989[100] Kamasins north of the Sayan Mountains
Kamas Turk Turkic since 1950s[101] Koibals and Kamasins Khakassia Dialect of Khakas
Kerek Chukotko-Kamchatkan 2005[102] Kereks Chukotka
Kott Yeniseian 1800s[103] Kotts Mana
Kuril Ainu Ainu 1850–1890s[104] Kuril Ainu Kuril Islands, Kamchatka and Hokkaido
Kyakhta Russian-Chinese pidgin 1920–1940s[105] Russian and Chinese traders Kyakhta
Lower Chulym Turkic 2011[106] Chulyms Siberia Dialect of Chulym
Mator Uralic 1840 AD[107] Koibal Sayan Mountains
Mednyj Aleut Mixed Aleut–Russian October 2022[95] Alaskan Creoles on Medny Island Commander Islands, Russia
Omok Yukaghir 1700s[108] Omoks Yakutia and Magadan
Oroch Tungusic 2008[109] Orochs Khabarovsk Krai 119 speakers reported in 2021
Pumpokol Yeniseian 1740s[110] Pumpokols Yenisey
Sakhalin Ainu Ainu 1994[111] Sakhalin Ainu Sakhalin and Hokkaido
Sireniki Eskaleut 1997[112] Sirenik Eskimos Bering Strait region
Southern Itelmen Chukotko-Kamchatkan 1900s[97] Itelmens Kamchatka Peninsula
Southern Khanty Uralic 1940s–1960s[113] Khanty lower Irtysh 56 speakers reported in 2010
Southern Mansi Uralic 1930–1970s[114] Mansi Sverdlovsk
Western Mansi Uralic 1970–1990s[115] Mansi Sverdlovsk
Yugh Yeniseian by 1972[116] Yug Yenisey
Yurats Uralic 1800s[117] Yurats west of the Yenisey
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West Asia

More information Language/dialect, Family ...
Language/dialect Family Date of extinction Ethnic group(s) Native to Notes
Adhari Indo-European 1600s AD[118] Azaris Iranian Azerbaijan
Akkadian Afroasiatic 100s AD[119] Akkadians Mesopotamia
Ammonite Afroasiatic 500s BC[120] Ammonites northwestern Jordan
Amorite Afroasiatic 2nd millennium BC[citation needed] Amorites Levant
Ancient Cappadocian unclassified 500s AD[121] Ancient Cappadocian speakers Anatolia
Armazic Afroasiatic 100s AD[122] Aramaic Caucasians South Caucasus Dialect of Aramaic
Ashurian Afroasiatic after 1300s AD[123] People of Assur Upper Mesopotamia
Carian Indo-European 200s BC[124] Carians Caria
Challa Neo-Aramaic Afroasiatic [data missing] Tyari Çukurca
Christian Palestinian Aramaic Afroasiatic 1200s AD[citation needed] Melkite Christians Palestine, Transjordan and Sinai
Cimmerian Indo-European 620–580s BC[125] Cimmerians West Asia
Dadanitic Afroasiatic second half of the first millennium BC[126] Lihyanites Lihyan
Daylami Indo-European 1300s AD[127] Daylamites South Caspian Sea
Dilmunite Afroasiatic First half of the second millennium BC[128] Arabs Dilmun
Dumaitic Afroasiatic 600s BC[129] Lihyanites Lihyan
Eblaite Afroasiatic 3rd millennium BC[130] Eblabites Ebla
Edomite Afroasiatic early half of 1st millennium BC[131] Edomites southwest Jordan and southern Israel
Elamite language isolate 700s BC[132] Elamites Elam
Eteocypriot unclassified 300s BC[133] Eteocypriots Cyprus
Galatian Indo-European 500s AD[134] Galatians Galatia
Garachi Indo-European [data missing] Garachi Azerbaijan Dialect of Domari
Gutian unclassified [data missing] Guti Zagros Mountains?
Hadramautic Afroasiatic 600s AD[135] Hadramites Yemen, Oman and Saudi Arabia
Hasaitic Afroasiatic 100s AD[136] Arabs Al-Ahsa Oasis
Hatran Afroasiatic 240 AD[citation needed] People of Hatra Upper Mesopotamia
Hattian unclassified 2nd millennium BC[137] Hattians Anatolia
Himyaritic Afroasiatic by 1000s AD[138] Himyarite tribal confederacy Yemen
Hismaic Afroasiatic 300s AD[139] Arabs Ḥismā
Hittite Indo-European 1180s BC[140] Hittites Anatolia
Hurrian Hurro-Urartian 1st millennium BC[141] Hurrians Mitanni
Isaurian Indo-European 500s AD[142] Isaurians Isauria
Jewish Babylonian Aramaic Afroasiatic 1200 AD[citation needed] Babylonian Jews Babylon
Jewish Palestinian Aramaic Afroasiatic 1200 AD[citation needed] Jews Judea and Levant
Judeo-Golpaygani Indo-European [data missing] Persian Jews Golpayegan
Kalasmaic Indo-European 1200s BC[143] Luwic people Anatolia
Karamanli Turkish Turkic 1800s[citation needed] Turkey Karamanlides Dialect of Turkish
Karapapakh Turkic 1900s[citation needed] Karapapakhs South Caucasus
Kaskian unclassified 700s BC[144] Kaskians Northeastern Anatolia and Colchis
Kassite Hurro-Urartian ? 300s BC[145] Kassites Babylon
Kilit Indo-European after 1950s[146] Talysh of Kilit Nakhchivan
Lebanese Aramaic Afroasiatic 1800s[citation needed] Arameans Mount Lebanon
Lullubian Hurro-Urartian ? 600s BC[citation needed] Lullubi Lullubi Kingdom
Luwian Indo-European 1st millennium BC[147] Luwians Anatolia and northern Syria
Lycaonian unclassified after 50 AD[148] Lycaonians Lycaonia
Lycian Indo-European 200s BC[149] Lycians Lycia and Lycaonia
Lydian Indo-European 200s BC[150] Lydians Lydia
Malatia Indo-European [data missing] Armenians Adıyaman Dialect of Armenian
Mamluk-Kipchak Turkic after 1516 AD[151] Mamluk Syria
Mannaean Hurro-Urartian ? 600s BC[citation needed] Mannaeans Mannaea
Median Indo-European 100s AD[152] Medes Persia
Milyan Indo-European 1st millennium BC[153] Milyans Milyas
Minaean Afroasiatic 600s AD[154] Minaeans Yemen
Minoan unclassified 1450s BC[155] Minoans Crete and Ugarit
Mitanni Indo-Aryan Indo-European after 1300s BC[156] Indo-Aryan peoples Mitanni
Mlaḥsô Afroasiatic 1999[157] Syriac Orthodox Christians Mlahsô and Qamishli
Moabite Afroasiatic early half of 1st millennium BC[158] Moabites Moab
Mysian Indo-European 0s BC[159] Mysians Mysia
Nabataean Arabic Afroasiatic 0s AD[citation needed] Nabataeans Levant, Sinai Peninsula and northwest Arabia
Nabataean Aramaic Afroasiatic 455/6 AD[citation needed] Nabataeans Arabia Petraea
Old Kazeruni Indo-European [data missing] Kazeruni people Kazerun
Palaic Indo-European 2nd millennium BC[160] Palaic peoples Pala
Palmyrene Aramaic Afroasiatic after 274 AD[161] Palmyrenes Syrian Desert, primarily in Palmyra
Philistine Canaanite Afroasiatic 700s BC[162] Philistines Philistia
Philistine Indo-European unclassified, probably Indo-European 900s BC[163] Philistines Philistia
Phoenician Afroasiatic 1st millennium BC[164] Phoenicians Canaan and Cyprus
Phrygian Indo-European after 400 AD[165] Phrygians Central Anatolia
Pisidic Indo-European 200s BC[166] Pisidians Pisidia
Qatabanian Afroasiatic 600s AD[167] People of Qataban Yemen
Qatrayith Afroasiatic 900s AD[citation needed] Qatrayith speakers Eastern Arabia
Razi Indo-European [data missing] Ray people Ray
Sabaic Afroasiatic 600s AD[168] Sabaeans Yemen
Sabir Romance-based pidgin 1800s AD[169] Medieval traders and Crusaders Mediterranean Basin
Safaitic Afroasiatic 200s AD[170] Northern Arabs Syria
Samalian Afroasiatic 730s BC[171] People of Samʾal Samʾal
Shirvani Arabic Afroasiatic 1850–1890s AD[citation needed] Shirvan Caucasian Arabs
Sidetic Indo-European 200s BC[172] People of Side Side
South Gileadite Afroasiatic 770s BC[173] People of Deir Alla Deir Alla
Subarian Hurro-Urartian ? 3rd–2nd millenium BC[citation needed] Subarians Subartu
Sumerian language isolate 0s AD[174] Sumerians Sumer and Akkad
Sutean Afroasiatic 1100s BC[citation needed] Suteans Levant and Mesopotamia
Taymanitic Afroasiatic 500s BC[175] Ancient North Arabian Arabs Tayma
Thamudic Afroasiatic after 267 AD[176] Thamud Kingdom of Thamud
Trojan unclassified 1300 BC[citation needed] Trojans Troy
Ubykh Northwest Caucasian 7 October 1992 AD[177] Ubykh Ubykhia
Ugaritic Afroasiatic 1300s BC[178] People of Ugarit Levant
Urartian Hurro-Urartian early 500s BC[179] Urarteans Urartu
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