dead language

Language that is no longer the native language of any community, even if it is still in use

Also known as extinct language

Instance of: type of language
Subclass of: human language

Overview

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · Read full article · Text CC BY-SA 4.0

An extinct language or dead language is a language with no living native speakers. A heritage language, or sometimes a dormant language, is an extinct language that still serves as a symbol of ethnic identity to an ethnic group; these languages are often undergoing a process of revitalisation. Languages that have first-language speakers are known as living languages.

Overview

All data

22 statements · 9% with external sources · numbers in brackets are citations

Different from: extinct language criterion used: unknown
6 extinct
historical language
obsolete word applies to name of subject: 死語
dormant language
Cause: language death
Opposite of: modern language

On other databases

13 identifiers linking dead language across the web's reference databases

Data quality

statements

externally sourced

Source last edited August 5, 2026. AIDB refreshes this page daily.

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Cite this page

AIDB. (2026). dead language (Q45762). Retrieved from https://aidb.si/e/dead-language-Q45762