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How many languages do the Australian Aborigines speak?

Updated: 9/1/2023
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∙ 11y ago
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Prior to European settlement of Australia, there were 250 indigenous languages spoken in Australia. Today, there are 145 aboriginal languages spoken in Australia, and of these 110 are listed as "critically endangered".

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∙ 12y ago
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∙ 13y ago

At present, there are something more than 200 Aboriginal languages being used in Australia and, of these, fewer than 20 are considered to be strong, or used on a regular daily basis by a sizeable group of speakers.

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∙ 11y ago

There is no single language known as aboriginal. There were around 500-600 different aboriginal languages in Australia prior to European settlement.

To see a list of the different known aboriginal dialects, go to the related link below.

The related question also lists current languages spoken.

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∙ 6y ago

Linguists believe there have been as many as 600 different indigenous languages in Australia, with more than 1000 dialects, today there are less than 300 known languages.


Here is a list of 266 aboriginal languages spoken in Australia (including about 100 whose current status is unknown). This list does not include 16 aboriginal sign languages which are listed toward the bottom. Some of these languages are so heavily influenced by English and other languages, that they are now considered creoles:

  1. Adnyamathanha
  2. Aghu Tharnggalu
  3. Alawa
  4. Alngith
  5. Alyawarr
  6. Amarag
  7. Ami
  8. Andegerebinha
  9. Angloromani
  10. Anindilyakwa
  11. Anmatyerre
  12. Antakarinya
  13. Arabana
  14. Areba
  15. Arrarnta, Western
  16. Arrernte, Eastern
  17. Atampaya
  18. Australian Aborigines Sign Language
  19. Awabakal
  20. Ayabadhu
  21. Badimaya
  22. Bandjalang
  23. Bandjigali
  24. Banggarla
  25. Bardi
  26. Barrow Point
  27. Bayali
  28. Bayungu
  29. Bidyara
  30. Biri
  31. Bunaba
  32. Burarra
  33. Burduna
  34. Dagoman
  35. Darling
  36. Dayi
  37. Dhalandji
  38. Dhangu
  39. Dhargari
  40. Dhurga
  41. Dhuwal
  42. Dieri
  43. Dirari
  44. Djambarrpuyngu
  45. Djamindjung
  46. Djangun
  47. Djauan
  48. Djawi
  49. Djeebbana
  50. Djinang
  51. Djinba
  52. Djingili
  53. Djiwarli
  54. Dyaabugay
  55. Dyaberdyaber
  56. Dyangadi
  57. Dyirbal
  58. Dyugun
  59. Erre
  60. Flinders Island language
  61. Gadjerawang
  62. Gagadu
  63. Gambera
  64. Gamilaraay
  65. Ganggalida
  66. Gangulu
  67. Garawa
  68. Garig-Ilgar
  69. Giyug
  70. Gooniyandi
  71. Gudanji
  72. Gugadj
  73. Gugu Badhun
  74. Gugu Warra
  75. Gugubera
  76. Guguyimidjir
  77. Gumatj
  78. Gungabula
  79. Gunwinggu
  80. Gunya
  81. Gupapuyngu
  82. Guragone
  83. Gurdjar
  84. Gureng Gureng
  85. Gurinji
  86. Guwamu
  87. Guyani
  88. Iwaidja
  89. Jaru
  90. Kala Lagaw Ya
  91. Kalarko
  92. Kalkutung
  93. Kamu
  94. Kanju
  95. Karadjeri
  96. Kariyarra
  97. Kayardild
  98. Kaytetye
  99. Kitja
  100. Kokata
  101. Kukatja
  102. Kuku-Mangk
  103. Kuku-Mu'inh
  104. Kuku-Muminh
  105. Kuku-Ugbanh
  106. Kuku-Uwanh
  107. Kuku-Yalanji
  108. Kumbainggar
  109. Kunbarlang
  110. Kungarakany
  111. Kunggara
  112. Kunggari
  113. Kunjen
  114. Kurrama
  115. Kuthant
  116. Kuuku-Ya'u
  117. Kwini
  118. Lamu-Lamu
  119. Laragia
  120. Lardil
  121. Leningitij
  122. Limilngan
  123. Madngele
  124. Malgana
  125. Manangkari
  126. Manda
  127. Mandandanyi
  128. Mangala
  129. Mangarayi
  130. Mangerr
  131. Mara
  132. Maranunggu
  133. Margany
  134. Margu
  135. Maridan
  136. Maridjabin
  137. Marimanindji
  138. Maringarr
  139. Marithiel
  140. Mariyedi
  141. Marriammu
  142. Marti Ke
  143. Martu Wangka
  144. Martuyhunira
  145. Maung
  146. Mayaguduna
  147. Maykulan
  148. Mbabaram
  149. Mbara
  150. Mbariman-Gudhinma
  151. Meriam
  152. Miriwung
  153. Miwa
  154. Mudbura
  155. Mullukmulluk
  156. Muluridyi
  157. Murrinh-Patha
  158. Muruwari
  159. Nakara
  160. Nangikurrunggurr
  161. Narrinyeri
  162. Ngaanyatjarra
  163. Ngadjunmaya
  164. Ngalakan
  165. Ngalkbun
  166. Ngamini
  167. Ngandi
  168. Nganyaywana
  169. Ngarinman
  170. Ngarinyin
  171. Ngarla
  172. Ngarluma
  173. Ngawun
  174. Ngura
  175. Ngurmbur
  176. Nhanda
  177. Nhuwala
  178. Nijadali
  179. Nimanbur
  180. Nugunu
  181. Nungali
  182. Nunggubuyu
  183. Nyamal
  184. Nyangga
  185. Nyangumarta
  186. Nyawaygi
  187. Nyigina
  188. Nyulnyul
  189. Nyunga
  190. Pakanha
  191. Panytyima
  192. Pini
  193. Pinigura
  194. Pintiini
  195. Pintupi-Luritja
  196. Pirlatapa
  197. Pitjantjatjara
  198. Pitta Pitta
  199. Rembarunga
  200. Ritarungo
  201. Thayore
  202. Thaypan
  203. Thurawal
  204. Tiwi
  205. Tjurruru
  206. Tyaraity
  207. Umbindhamu
  208. Umbugarla
  209. Umbuygamu
  210. Umpila
  211. Uradhi
  212. Urningangg
  213. Wadjiginy
  214. Wadjigu
  215. Wagaya
  216. Wajarri
  217. Wakawaka
  218. Walmajarri
  219. Wambaya
  220. Wamin
  221. Wandarang
  222. Wangaaybuwan-Ngiyambaa
  223. Wanggamala
  224. Wangganguru
  225. Wanman
  226. Waray
  227. Wardaman
  228. Wariyangga
  229. Warlmanpa
  230. Warlpiri
  231. Warluwara
  232. Warrgamay
  233. Warrwa
  234. Warumungu
  235. Warungu
  236. Wikalkan
  237. Wik-Epa
  238. Wik-Iiyanh
  239. Wik-Keyangan
  240. Wik-Me'anha
  241. Wik-Mungkan
  242. Wik-Ngathana
  243. Wikngenchera
  244. Wilawila
  245. Wiradhuri
  246. Wirangu
  247. Worimi
  248. Worora
  249. Wuliwuli
  250. Wulna
  251. Wunambal
  252. Wurrugu
  253. Yalarnnga
  254. Yandruwandha
  255. Yangman
  256. Yankunytjatjara
  257. Yan-nhangu
  258. Yanyuwa
  259. Yawarawarga
  260. Yawuru
  261. Yidiny
  262. Yindjibarndi
  263. Yindjilandji
  264. Yinggarda
  265. Yir Yoront
  266. Yugambal


Here is a list of aboriginal sign languages. Most are endangered. Some may be extinct:

  1. Arrernte Sign Language
  2. Djingili Sign Language
  3. Kaititj (Kaytetye): Akitiri Sign Language
  4. Manjiljarra Sign Language
  5. Mudbura Sign Language
  6. Ngada Sign Language
  7. Torres Strait Islander Sign Language
  8. Umpila Sign Language
  9. Warlmanpa Sign Language
  10. Warlpiri Sign Language
  11. Warumungu (Warramunga) Sign Language
  12. Western Desert Sign Language (Kardutjara, Yurira Watjalku)
  13. Worora Kinship Sign Language
  14. Yir Yoront Sign Language
  15. Yolŋu (Murngin) Sign Language
  16. Miriwoong Sign Language
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∙ 11y ago

Australian Aborigines can speak up to 250 languages. I'm not sure what all of them are since most of them aren't in use anymore (only 15 are in use as of 2012)

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