List of extinct Uto-Aztecan languages facts for kids

Many languages that were once spoken by people in North and Central America have sadly disappeared. These languages are part of a large group called the Uto-Aztecan languages. This language family includes many well-known languages like Nahuatl (spoken by the Aztecs) and Hopi.

Over time, many Uto-Aztecan languages became extinct. This means they are no longer spoken by anyone. Often, these languages disappeared before anyone could write them down or study them properly. Because of this, we only know a little bit about them, usually from old records or brief mentions. This list shares what we know about some of these lost languages.

Lost Languages of the Uto-Aztecan Family

Languages of California and the Great Basin

• San Nicolás (also called Nicoleño): This language was spoken in California. It was likely a Takic language, which is a branch of Uto-Aztecan.
• Giamina (or Omomil): Spoken in Southern California. Some experts think it might have been a unique branch of Northern Uto-Aztecan.
• Vanyume: Another Takic language from California.

Languages of Mexico and the Southwest

• Acaxee (also Aiage): This language was closely related to Tahue. It was part of the Cahitan group, which also included Tebaca and Sabaibo.
• Amotomanco (or Otomoaco): We are not sure about this language's exact family. It might have been Uto-Aztecan.
• Cazcan (or Caxcan): Sometimes thought to be the same as Zacateca. However, some experts believe these were just names for groups of people in different areas.
• Baciroa: This language was closely connected to Tepahue.
• Basopa
• Batuc: This might have been a dialect of the Opata language.
• Cahuimeto
• Cahuameto: This language probably belonged with Oguera and Nio.
• Chínipa: This may have been a Tarahumaran language, similar to Ocoroni. Old records say speakers of Chínipa and Ocoroni could understand each other. It might also have been a local name for a type of Guarijío.
• Coca: Spoken near Lake Chapala in Mexico.
• Colotlan: This was a Pimic language. It was closely related to Tepehuan, or perhaps to Teul and Tepecano.
• Comanito: A Taracahitic language, closely related to Tahue.
• Concho: This was probably a Taracahitic language. It had subdivisions like Chinarra and Chizo. Toboso might also be related to Concho.
• Conicari: Another Taracahitic language, closely related to Tahue.
• Guachichil: This might have been a different form or a close relative of the Huichol language.
• Guasave: Possibly a Taracahitic language. However, it might not have been Uto-Aztecan at all. Some think it could be related to the Seri language. This is because the people who spoke Guasave lived by the sea and relied on it. Its dialects included Compopori, Ahome, Vacoregue, and Achire.
• Guazapar (or Guasapar): This was probably a dialect of Tarahumara. It might also have been more closely related to Guarijío and Chínipa. Guazapar, Jova, Pachera, and Juhine might all have been dialects of Tarahumara.
• Guisca (or Coisa)
• Hio: Possibly a Taracahitic language.
• Huite: Closely related to Ocoroni. It may have been a Taracahitic language.
• Irritila: This was a group of people called a Lagunero band.
• Jova (also Jobal or Ova): Most often linked with Opata. Some experts classify it as a Tarahumara dialect. It is considered "probably Taracahitan."
• Jumano: Also known as Humano, Jumana, Xumana, Zumana, Zuma, and Suma. Suma was probably the same language. Jumano was possibly Uto-Aztecan. (Not to be confused with a different language called Jumana language from Colombia.)
• Lagunero: This might have been the same as Irritila. It could also be closely related to Zacateco or Huichol.
• Macoyahui: Probably related to Cahita.
• Mocorito: A Tahue language, which is part of the Taracahitic group.
• Naarinuquia (perhaps Themurete?): It was likely Uto-Aztecan. However, it might have been a non-Uto-Aztecan language, possibly related to Seri. This is because the people who spoke it lived by the sea.
• Nacosura: A dialect of the Opata language.
• Nio: We have almost no information about this language. It might be related to Ocoroni.
• Ocoroni: Most likely a Taracahitic language. People said it was easy to understand for Chínipa speakers. It was also similar to Opata. Related languages might include Huite and Nio.
• Oguera (or Ohuera)
• Patarabuey: We don't know its exact language family. It was spoken in the Purépecha region near Lake Chapala. It might have been a dialect of Nahuatl.
• Tahue: This language may have included Comanito, Mocorito, Tubar, and Zoe. It was possibly a Taracahitic language, and definitely not Nahuan.
• Tanpachoa: We don't know its language family. It was once spoken along the Río Grande. Only one word is known: ocae, which means 'arrow'.
• Tecuexe: The people who spoke this language might have been part of a "Mexicano" (Nahua) group.
• Teco-Tecoxquin: An Aztecan language.
• Tecual: Closely related to Huichol. One old source said that the "Xamaca, also called Hueitzolme [Huichol], all speak the Thequalme language, though they differ in vowels."
• Témori: This may have been a Tarahumara dialect.
• Tepahue: Possibly a Taracahitic language. Closely related languages or dialects included Macoyahui, Conicari, and Baciroa.
• Tepanec: An Aztecan language.
• Teul (or Teul-Chichimeca): A Pimic language. It was possibly part of the Tepecano subgroup.
• Toboso: Grouped with Concho.
• Topia: Perhaps the same as Xixime (Jijime).
• Topiame: Possibly a Taracahitic language.
• Totorame: Grouped with Cora.
• Xixime (or Jijime): Spoken by the Xiximes people. It was possibly a Taracahitic language. Its subdivisions were Hine and Hume. Its links with Acaxee are not clear.
• Zacateco: Often thought to be the same as Acaxee, but this is uncertain. It is possibly related to Huichol. However, some experts leave it as unclassified.
• Zoe: Possibly a Taracahitic language, with Baimena as a subdivision. It might also be connected to Comanito.