How many languages are in Africa? How many dialects are in Africa? Sources disagree on the precise numbers. The disagreement is due in part to the sometimes difficult classification of "a language" vs. "a dialect" and in part due to the continuing need for linguistic research on the continent. There are an estimated 2,000 distinct languages -- and an additional 8,000 or so dialects -- spoken in Africa. The languages of Africa can be grouped into 6 major linguistic families. Each has a different history and geographic distribution on the continent. The four major families of AFRO-ASIATIC, NILO-SAHARAN, KHOISAN, and NIGER-CONGO are indicated on the map. Below the map, there are tables for each of these families, indicating the major branches within the family and listing some examples of languages that fall under the classification. Two other major language families have representation in Africa: AUSTRONESIAN and INDO-EUROPEAN. Malagasy is an Austronesian language spoken on the island of Madagascar. Indo-European languages such as English, French, Gujarati, Hindi, and Portuguese are spoken throughout Africa. In South Africa, there is an Indo-European-based language which originated in Africa: Afrikaans.

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Adapted from David Crystal, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language, New York: Cambridge University Press, 1998.

Major branches of Niger-Congo language family, and examples of languages

Major branches of Niger-Congo language family, and examples of languages

Major branches of Nilo-Saharan language family, and examples of languages*

Major branches of Khoisan language family, and examples of languages

Major branches of Afroasiatic language family, and examples of languages*

Language classifications adapted from Ethnologue;
William O'Grady, Michael Dobrovolsky, and Mark Aronoff,
Contemporary Linguistics: An Introduction, New York: St. Martin's Press, 1997.;
David Crystal, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language,
New York: Cambridge University Press, 1998.

Faculty developer for phase one: Debra Vidali, Anthropology
Fieldwork contributors: Hal Odden, Debra Vidali, Josh Walker