Language Status Classification System
Understanding how we classify language endangerment and vitality using UNESCO's Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger criteria, simplified for accessibility.
Our Classification Framework
We use a dual-tier system that balances academic precision with public accessibility:
Primary Categories (4 levels - for general use):
Extended Categories (6 levels - aligned with UNESCO):
Key Factors in Classification
Detailed Status Classifications
Critically Endangered
EndangeredThe youngest speakers are grandparents and older, and they speak the language partially and infrequently.
Specific Criteria:
- Typically fewer than 50 fluent speakers
- No intergenerational transmission for 2+ generations
- Speakers are typically 70+ years old
- Language used only in highly limited contexts (ceremonies, greetings)
- No children learning the language
- Imminent risk of extinction within one generation
Examples from our database:
Severely Endangered
EndangeredLanguage is spoken by grandparents; the parent generation may understand it but doesn't speak it to children or among themselves.
Specific Criteria:
- Typically 50-10,000 speakers
- No intergenerational transmission for 1 generation
- Speakers are typically 50+ years old
- Parent generation has passive knowledge but doesn't use actively
- Children don't speak or understand the language
- Rapid decline in speaker numbers
Examples from our database:
Definitely Endangered
EndangeredChildren no longer learn the language as mother tongue at home.
Specific Criteria:
- Typically 10,000-100,000 speakers (varies by context)
- Youngest speakers are young adults (30-40 years old)
- Children understand but don't actively speak
- Some passive knowledge among younger generation
- Language used in home but competing with dominant language
- Declining domains of use (education, government already lost)
Examples from our database:
Vulnerable
VulnerableMost children speak the language, but it may be restricted to certain domains (e.g., home).
Specific Criteria:
- Wide range of speakers: 100,000 - several million
- Children still learning as first language BUT...
- Dominant language pressure in key domains
- Limited official recognition
- Shrinking public domains (government, business, higher education)
- Parents worried about children's future, may shift to dominant language
Examples from our database:
Stable
StableLanguage is used across generations in multiple domains and maintains its speaker population.
Specific Criteria:
- Healthy intergenerational transmission
- All age groups speak the language
- Used in home, community, and some institutions
- May have official or co-official status regionally
- Present in local education, media, business
- Speaker population stable or growing slowly
Examples from our database:
Thriving
ThrivingLanguage is robust with growing speaker numbers, full institutional support, and intergenerational transmission across all domains.
Specific Criteria:
- Strong, uninterrupted intergenerational transmission
- All age groups speak fluently
- Used in ALL domains: home, education, government, media, business
- Official or national language status
- Growing speaker base
- Strong institutional support
Examples from our database:
Data Sources & Methodology
Primary Sources:
Most comprehensive global assessment of language endangerment
SIL International's annual publication with detailed speaker statistics
Max Planck Institute's comprehensive bibliographic database
Alliance for Linguistic Diversity's collaborative platform
Methodology Notes:
Update Frequency
Language status can change rapidly. Our dataset reflects assessments as of 2024-2025, but we acknowledge that revitalization efforts can improve status and political changes can worsen it.
Important Caveats
- • Speaker numbers are estimates based on available data
- • Status is contextual and can vary by region
- • Political factors significantly impact language vitality
- • Revitalization is possible with community commitment
Data Compilation
Initial dataset compiled and organized with assistance from Claude AI (Anthropic, 2025), cross-referenced with the above authoritative sources. Each language entry has been verified against multiple sources to ensure accuracy and consistency.