Did you know that some languages have fewer than five fluent speakers left?
If you’re passionate about linguistic diversity, culture, or simply love learning about the world’s hidden gems, this article is for you.
You’re not alone in wondering what happens to languages when they begin to disappear.
As a language and culture enthusiast, We’ll guide you through:
- 8 of the world’s least spoken languages
- The history, region, and current status of each
- What’s being done to save them
Keep reading to uncover rare languages, their challenges, and what we can learn from them.
By the end, you’ll understand why preserving these voices is essential for future generations and cultural heritage.
8 Least Spoken Languages in the World
Many languages are used around the world. Some are widely spoken, like English or Chinese. But there are also rare languages with only a few speakers left. These least spoken languages are often found in small communities or remote regions.
They are part of human culture and history, but many are at risk of disappearing. This article shows eight of the least spoken languages in the world. These languages have very few native speakers and are often considered endangered languages.
1. Taushiro (Peru)
Taushiro is one of the rare languages spoken in South America. It belongs to Peru, in the Amazon rainforest. Only one fluent speaker of Taushiro is alive today. This person is elderly. He is the last known native speaker of this language.
Taushiro was once used by indigenous people in Central and South America. But due to disease, war, and contact with other languages, it is now nearly extinct. It has no writing system and was passed down through oral transmission.
Because it was never used as an official language, it never entered schools or formal education. Today, it is seen as a dying language.
Linguists and the Endangered Languages Project are working to record the words and grammar of Taushiro. As one of the least spoken languages, its survival depends on whether it is taught as a second language; otherwise, the chances of it being spoken by future generations remain low.
2. Ainu (Japan)
The Ainu language is native to Japan. It was spoken by the indigenous Ainu people, mostly in Hokkaido. Today, the number of fluent speakers is extremely low. Many Ainu people now speak Japanese as their first language.
Ainu is one of the rare languages without strong support in education. It has faced significant language loss due to historical and cultural pressure. Today, it stands among the least spoken languages, rarely heard even in regions where the Ainu people reside.
Some schools and groups in Japan are now trying to teach Ainu to younger generations. It is not an official language, but efforts continue to preserve it. Ainu has its writing system, based on the Japanese alphabet and the Latin script.
3. Kawishana (Brazil)
Kawishana is an endangered language of Brazil. It was once spoken by a small group of indigenous people near the Amazon. Today, there may be only one semi-speaker left. A semi-speaker is someone who understands the language but cannot speak it fluently.
Kawishana is no longer used in daily communication. Most of the native speakers have passed away. Like many of the least spoken languages, it has been replaced by Portuguese and other widely spoken languages.
There is little information about Kawishana. Linguists say it has no active writing system and was learned only through oral transmission. Kawishana is considered one of the least spoken languages in the world and is on the verge of extinction.
4. Njerep (Cameroon)
Njerep is spoken on the Nigeria–Cameroon border. It is one of the most endangered languages in the world. Reports suggest that fewer than five fluent speakers remain. These speakers are elderly and live in a single village.
The language is no longer used for daily communication. Children in the region learn other languages spoken in the area. Njerep, as one of the least spoken languages, is now replaced by more commonly spoken languages such as Fulfulde.
There are efforts to record the Njerep language. Linguists believe it is important for understanding the linguistic diversity of the Middle East and Africa. Without support, the language may disappear completely within a generation.
5. Ongota (Ethiopia)
Ongota is a rare language found in Ethiopia. It is spoken by a very small community near the Omo River. Reports show that fewer than 10 fluent speakers exist today.
Ongota is an example of how language loss happens when communities switch to more dominant languages. Most people in the Ongota group now speak another language as their first language. Ongota is only used by older people.
The language has no writing system. All learning happens by speaking. It is not taught in schools. As one of the least spoken languages, it is listed as severely endangered. Without action, Ongota could become an extinct language soon.
6. Lemerig (Vanuatu)
Lemerig is one of the rare languages spoken on the island of Vanua Lava in Vanuatu. Only two to three fluent speakers remain. It is one of many endangered languages in the Pacific Islands.
There were once four dialects of Lemerig. But now, all of them are at risk. Most of the island’s people speak other languages or use Bislama, which is a widely spoken second language in the country. Lemerig is now counted among the least spoken languages.
Lemerig has never been used as an official language. It has a unique sound system but no active writing system. Efforts are being made to record it for the next generation, but daily use is very low.
7. Wadjigu (Australia)
Wadjigu is an indigenous language of Australia. It was spoken by a small group in Queensland. Today, only one fluent speaker is known.
Like many minority languages in Australia, Wadjigu suffered from the forced removal of indigenous people. Many children were banned from speaking their language. Over time, Wadjigu was lost in many communities.
Today, linguists and indigenous groups are trying to bring back this language. It is seen as part of the culture and history of the region. But it remains one of the least spoken languages in the world.
8. Tanema (Solomon Islands)
Tanema is spoken on Vanikoro Island in the Solomon Islands. Only one elderly speaker is still alive. It is part of the world’s languages that are nearly extinct.
Tanema was once spoken in small villages. But most of the community has shifted to another local language, Teanu. Tanema is no longer used in schools or homes.
This shows how language loss can happen fast. One language can vanish when a community chooses a different one. Tanema is still studied by linguists, but its future depends on education and communication efforts.
Least Spoken Languages: A Recap
The least spoken languages in the world are more than simple tools for communication. They hold the culture, identity, and knowledge of indigenous people across many regions.
From Taushiro in Peru to Tanema in the Solomon Islands, each language tells a story of a small group that once had its way of speaking, learning, and living.
Most of these rare languages have only one or two fluent speakers left. They are no longer used in daily life, schools, or official spaces. Language loss continues as younger generations grow up speaking more commonly spoken or official languages.
Efforts by linguists, local communities, and projects like the Endangered Languages Project aim to save what remains. Still, the future depends on strong action, education, and support.
Keeping these languages alive helps protect human history and supports the world’s linguistic diversity for future generations. Without them, the world becomes a little less rich.