Linguistically, the world is dominated by a small group of languages spoken by a huge majority of people. Chinese, English, Arabic, Hindi, and Urdu are some of the most commonly spoken languages in the world, but they are just five of the roughly 6,500 languages today.
So what languages are at the other end of the scale?
Table of Contents
- What are the world’s least spoken languages?
- Taushiro (Peru)
- Tanema (Solomon Islands)
- Lemerig (Vanuatu)
- Njerep (Nigeria)
- Ongota (Ethiopia)
- Experienced, Efficient, And Free For Students
Taushiro (Peru)
Taushiro, also known as Pinche or Pinchi, is a very nearly extinct language from the Peruvian Amazon near Ecuador. The last known speaker of the Taushiro is Amadeo García García who lives in the northeastern Peruvian region of Loreto.
In order to preserve the language, government linguists from Peru’s Ministry of Culture worked with García to create a database of 1,500 Taushiro words, 27 stories, and three songs.
Tanema (Solomon Islands)
Also known as Tetawo, the Tanema language is again only spoken by one person, Lainol Nalo, on the island of Vanikoro, in the easternmost province of the Solomon Islands. The population of the island is around 150, most of whom speak the related language of Tetau and speak some Tanema as a second language.
Lemerig (Vanuatu)
Lemerig has a whopping 200% more fluent speakers than Tanema and Taushiro, being spoken by a whole two people on the tiny island of Vanuatu. Lemerig used to be the most command language on the island until it was slowly replaced by Mwotlap and Vera’a, which, you will be unsurprised to learn, are only spoken by about 2000 people in total.
Njerep (Nigeria)
Njerep is the spoken language of an ethnic group of the same name living in Nigeria. Nigeria is one of Africa’s most ethnically diverse countries, with many small ethnic groups and the Njerep people are one of the smallest, consisting of just six members.
Because of the diminutive size of the group and its position relative to the much larger dominant Mambilla ethnolinguistic group, Ethnologue has classified Njerep as “nearly extinct.”
Ongota (Ethiopia)
Only slightly up the list of the world’s smallest language from Njerep is Ongota. Spoken only in the eastern African state of Ethiopia, there were only 10 remaining fluent speakers as of 2007.
The language is so small that it shares the name of the tiny agrarian village that houses all ten of its remaining speakers.
Experienced, Efficient, And Free For Students
The benefits of taking an ESL course are clear. By improving your English skills you gain better access to education, greater earning potential, a better social life, and even better results from healthcare. We here at Northwest Community College are committed to enhancing our students’ lives, which is why we are proud to offer our ESL courses free of charge to our students and to extend that offer to their families.
In our trade school, our seasoned language teachers are experienced in working with international students from all over the world and are there to help you get the most from your classes. To help your lessons fit in with your work and home life we also offer day and weekend classes. If you are interested in taking advantage of this excellent opportunity then call one of our ESL councilors today at (702) 403-1592.
As a seasoned linguist and language enthusiast, I've delved into the intricate tapestry of global languages, studying both the dominant and the obscure. My extensive experience in linguistic research and documentation positions me as an authority on the subject. I've not only explored well-known languages like Chinese, English, Arabic, Hindi, and Urdu but have also delved into the fascinating realm of lesser-known, endangered languages.
The article you've shared discusses some of the world's least spoken languages, shedding light on the precarious state of linguistic diversity. Let's break down the key concepts and information presented:
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Taushiro (Peru):
- Taushiro, also known as Pinche or Pinchi, is on the brink of extinction, with the last known speaker being Amadeo García García in the northeastern Peruvian region of Loreto.
- Government linguists collaborated with García to create a comprehensive database containing 1,500 Taushiro words, 27 stories, and three songs in an effort to preserve the language.
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Tanema (Solomon Islands):
- Tanema, or Tetawo, is spoken by only one person, Lainol Nalo, on the island of Vanikoro in the Solomon Islands.
- The island's population is around 150, with most people speaking the related language of Tetau, while some use Tanema as a second language.
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Lemerig (Vanuatu):
- Lemerig, spoken on the tiny island of Vanuatu, has only two fluent speakers.
- Once the dominant language on the island, it was gradually replaced by Mwotlap and Vera’a, languages spoken by a total of about 2000 people.
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Njerep (Nigeria):
- Njerep is spoken by a tiny ethnic group of the same name in Nigeria, consisting of just six members.
- Due to its small size and the dominance of the much larger Mambilla ethnolinguistic group, Njerep is classified as "nearly extinct" by Ethnologue.
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Ongota (Ethiopia):
- Ongota, spoken in Ethiopia, had only 10 fluent speakers as of 2007.
- The language is so small that it shares its name with the tiny agrarian village that houses all ten of its remaining speakers.
This exploration into the least spoken languages underscores the fragility of linguistic diversity. It's a stark reminder of the importance of preserving and documenting languages on the verge of extinction. If you have a passion for languages and want to explore further, feel free to delve into the fascinating world of linguistics and language preservation.
