List of proposed language families

The following is a list of proposed language families, which connect established families into larger genetic groups (macro-families). Support for these proposals vary from case to case. For example, the Dené–Yeniseian languages are a recent proposal which has been generally well received, whereas reconstructions of the Proto-World language are often viewed as fringe science. Proposals which are themselves based on other proposals have the likelihood of their parts noted in parentheses.

Under considerations

This table is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items.

Proposed name	Proposal	Agree	Disagree	Doubt	Ref.
Alarodian	Alarodian Hurro-Urartian Northeast Caucasian	Igor M. Diakonoff (initiator), Sergei Starostin, Petri Kallio	Johanna Nichols, Allan R. Bomhard
Austric	Austric Austroasiatic Austronesian	Wilhelm Schmidt (initiator), La Vaughn H., Lawrence Reid, Gérard Diffloth, Paul Sidwell, Paul K. Benedict (later rejected), Sergei Starostin, John Bengtson, Automated Similarity Judgment Program (database)		Robert Blust, Paul K. Benedict
	Austric Austroasiatic Austronesian Japonic	Wilhelm Schmidt (initiator)
	Austric Austroasiatic Hmong–Mien Austronesian Kra–Dai	Paul K. Benedict (initiator, later rejected), Sergei Starostin, John Bengtson, Weera Ostapirat (tentative)
	Austric Ainu Austroasiatic Hmong–Mien Austronesian Kra–Dai Nihali	John Bengtson (initiator)
Austro-Tai	Austro-Tai Austronesian Kra–Dai	Paul K. Benedict (initiator, also including Japanese), Weera Ostapirat, Alexander Smith	Graham Thurgood	Laurent Sagart
Aztec–Tanoan	Aztec–Tanoan Tanoan Uto-Aztecan
Chukotko-Kamchatkan–Amuric	Chukotko-Kamchatkan–Amuric Chukotko-Kamchatkan Nivkh
Dene–Yeniseian	Dene–Yeniseian Na-Dene Yeniseian	Alfredo Trombetti (initiator), Merritt Ruhlen, Edward Vajda, Michael Krauss, Jeff Leer, James Kari, Heinrich Werner, Bernard Comrie, Johanna Nichols, Victor Golla, Michael Fortescue, Eric Hamp, Bill Poser, and Paul Kiparsky	Georgiy Starostin (Vajda's proposal)	Lyle Campbell
Gulf	Gulf Atakapa Chitimacha Muskogean Natchez Tunica
Hokan	Hokan Chimariko Coahuilteco Comecrudan Esselen Jicaquean Karuk Palaihnihan Shastan Pomoan Salinan Seri Tequistlatecan Washo Yana Yuman–Cochimí
Indo-Uralic	Indo-Uralic Indo-European Uralic	Holger Pedersen (initiator), Kortlandt, Hannes Sköld, Alwin Kloekhorst, and Nikolai Dmitrievich Andreev	Christian Carpelan, Asko Parpola, Petteri Koskikallio, and Johan Schalin
	Indo-Uralic Indo-European Uralic–Yukaghir Uralic Yukaghir	Kortlandt (initiator)
Japonic-Koreanic	Japonic-Koreanic Japonic Koreanic	John Whitman, Alexander Takenobu Frances-Ratte, Samuel E. Martin		Alexander Vovin
Je–Tupi–Carib	Je–Tupi–Carib Cariban Macro-Jê Bororoan Jaikó Jê Kamakã Karajá Kariri Krenak Maxakalían Ofayé Purian Rikbaktsa Yabutian Tupian
Karasuk	Karasuk Burushaski Yeniseian
Macro-Chibchan	Macro-Chibchan Chibchan Lencan Misumalpan
Macro-Pama–Nyungan	Macro-Pama–Nyungan Garawan Macro-Gunwinyguan Pama–Nyungan Tangkic
Macro-Panoan	Macro-Panoan Moseten–Chonan Chimane Chonan Pano-Tacanan Panoan Tacanan
Macro-Siouan	Macro-Siouan Caddoan Iroquoian Siouan Yuchi
Mataco–Guaicuru	Mataco–Guaicuru Guaicuruan Matacoan Mascoian Charruan Guachi Payagua
Miao–Dai	Miao–Dai Hmong–Mien Kra–Dai	Ryuichi Kosaka (initiator)
Niger–Congo	Niger–Congo Atlantic–Congo Dogon Ijaw Katloid Mande Rashad
Nilo-Saharan	Nilo-Saharan Kuliak Saharan Bʼaga Eastern Sudanic Kadu Koman Berta Central Sudanic Fur Kunama Maban Songhay
North Caucasian	North Caucasian Northeast Caucasian Northwest Caucasian
Penutian	Penutian Chinookan Plateau Penutian Takelma Kalapuyan Alsean Siuslaw Coosan Wintuan Maiduan Yok-Utian Tsimshianic
Pontic	Pontic Indo-European Northwest Caucasian	Émile Benveniste, Winfred P. Lehmann, Aert Kuipers, and John Colarusso
Quechumaran	Quechumaran Aymaran Quechuan
Sino-Austronesian	Sino-Austronesian Austronesian Kra–Dai Sino-Tibetan	Laurent Sagart (initiator), Stanley Starosta	Weera Ostapirat, Alexander Vovin, George van Driem	Paul Jen-kuei Li and Robert Blust
Tequiraca-Canichana	Tequiraca–Canichana Aʔɨwa Canichana	Terrence Kaufman (initiator)
Totozoquean	Totozoquean Chitimacha Mixe–Zoque Totonacan
Uralic–Yukaghir	Uralic–Yukaghir Uralic Yukaghir
Uralo-Siberian	Uralo-Siberian Eskaleut Uralic–Yukaghir Uralic Yukaghir	Michael Fortescue (initiator), Frederik Kortlandt
	Uralo-Siberian Eskaleut Nivkh Uralic–Yukaghir Uralic Yukaghir	Frederik Kortlandt (initiator)
Yok-Utian	Yok-Utian Utian Yokuts	Geoffrey Gamble (initiator), Catherine Callaghan

Widely rejected

Below are language families that are already rejected by most linguists. As they are widely rejected, only linguists who agree are shown.

This table is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items.

Proposed name	Proposal	Status	Agree	Ref.
Almosan	Almosan Algic Kutenai Mosan Chimakuan Salishan Wakashan	Widely rejected	Joseph Greenberg, Georgiy Starostin, Ilia Peiros, Murray Gell-Mann
Amerind	Amerind Almosan ⊞ Algic Kutenai Mosan Chimakuan Salishan Wakashan ⊟ Keresiouan ⊞ Caddoan Iroquoian Keres Siouan–Yuchi Siouan Yuchi ⊟ Penutian ⊞ Tsimshianic Chinookan Oregon Penutian Kalapuyan Takelma Coast Oregon Penutian Alsean Siuslaw Coosan Plateau Penutian Waiilatpuan Cayuse Molala Klamath Sahaptian California Penutian Maiduan Utian Wintuan Yokuts Zuni Gulf Atakapa Chitimacha Muskogean Natchez Tunica Yuki–Wappo Mexican Penutian Huave Mayan Mixe–Zoque Totonacan ⊟ Hokan ⊞ Northern Hokan Karok‑Shasta Karuk Chimariko Shasta‑Achomawi Shastan Palaihnihan Yana Pomoan Washo Salinan‑Chumash Salinan Chumashan Esselen Seri‑Yuman Seri Yuman–Cochimí Waicuri‑Quinigua Waikuri Quinigua Maratino Coahuiltecan Tonkawa Karankawa Coahuiltecan proper Coahuilteco Cotoname Comecrudo Tequistlatecan Supanecan Jicaquean Yurumanguí ⊟ Central Amerind ⊞ Tanoan Uto-Aztecan Oto-Manguean ⊟ Macro-Chibchan ⊞ Cuitlatec Lencan Chibchan Pech Purépecha Xincan Yanomaman Cañari–Puruhá ⊟ Macro-Paezan ⊞ Huarpean Kunza Betoi–Jirara Chimu Quingnam Mochica Itonama Jirajaran Mura-Matanawi Mura Matanawi Nuclear Paezan Andaqui Barbacoan Chocoan Páez–Coconucan Coconuco Guanaca Páez Timucua Warao ⊟ Andean ⊞ Aymaran Itucale‑Sabela Urarina Omurano Wao Terero Cahuapana‑Zaparo Cahuapanan Zaparoan Northern Andean Tallán Hibito–Cholon Culli Leco Sechura Quechuan Southern Andean Alacalufan Araucanian Gününa Küne Chonan Yahgan ⊟ Macro‑Tucanoan ⊞ Aewa Canichana Kanoê Katukinan Gamela Aikanã Irantxe Arutani–Sape Arutani Sapé Máku Kwaza Movima Muniche Nambikwaran Natú Pankararú Puinave–Makú Nadahup Puinave Nukak Kakua Hodï Xukuruan Ticuna–Yuri Ticuna Yurí Tucanoan Uamué ⊟ Equatorial ⊞ Macro‑Arawakan Guajiboan Katembri Otomákoan Tiniguan Arawakan Arawan Maipuran Chapacuran Guamo Uru–Chipaya Cayubaba Kamëntšá Jivaro‑Kandoshi Cofán Esmeraldeño Chicham Candoshi-Shapra Pumé Kariri‑Tupi Kariri Tupian Piaroa–Saliban Taruma Timote Trumai Tuxá Yuracaré Zamucoan ⊟ Macro‑Carib ⊞ Andoque Bora–Witoto Boran Witotoan Cariban Kukurá Peba–Yaguan ⊟ Macro‑Panoan ⊞ Charruan Mascoian Lule–Vilela Mataco–Guaicuru Guaicuruan Mataguayan Mosetén–Chimane Pano-Tacanan Panoan Tacanan ⊟ Macro-Jê ⊞ Bororoan Krenak Karajá Chiquitano Rikbaktsa Yatê Jê Guató Kamakã Maxakalían Ofayé Oti Puri Yabutian ⊟	Rejected	Joseph Greenberg (initiator), Merritt Ruhlen
Altaic	Altaic Mongolic Tungusic Turkic	Widely rejected; generally considered a Sprachbund
	Altaic Mongolic Turkic Tungusic
Austronesian–Ongan	Austronesian–Ongan Austronesian Ongan	Widely rejected	Juliette Blevins (initiator)
Borean	Borean Afroasiatic Kartvelian Dravidian Sumerian Elamite Hurro-Urartian Hattic Eurasiatic Etruscan Indo-European Uralic–Yukaghir Uralic Yukaghir Altaic Mongolic Tungusic Turkic Korean–Japanese–Ainu Koreanic Japonic Ainu Nivkh Chukotko-Kamchatkan Eskaleut Vasco‑Caucasic Basque North Caucasian Northwest Caucasian Northeast Caucasian Karasuk Burushaski Yeniseian Sino-Tibetan Na-Dene Amerind ⊞ Almosan ⊞ Algic Kutenai Mosan Chimakuan Salishan Wakashan ⊟ Keresiouan ⊞ Caddoan Iroquoian Keres Siouan–Yuchi Siouan Yuchi ⊟ Penutian ⊞ Tsimshianic Chinookan Oregon Penutian Kalapuyan Takelma Coast Oregon Penutian Alsean Siuslaw Coosan Plateau Penutian Waiilatpuan Cayuse Molala Klamath Sahaptian California Penutian Maiduan Utian Wintuan Yokuts Zuni Gulf Atakapa Chitimacha Muskogean Natchez Tunica Yuki–Wappo Mexican Penutian Huave Mayan Mixe–Zoque Totonacan ⊟ Hokan ⊞ Northern Hokan Karok‑Shasta Karuk Chimariko Shasta‑Achomawi Shastan Palaihnihan Yana Pomoan Washo Salinan‑Chumash Salinan Chumashan Esselen Seri‑Yuman Seri Yuman–Cochimí Waicuri‑Quinigua Waikuri Quinigua Maratino Coahuiltecan Tonkawa Karankawa Coahuiltecan proper Coahuilteco Cotoname Comecrudo Tequistlatecan Supanecan Jicaquean Yurumanguí ⊟ Central Amerind ⊞ Tanoan Uto-Aztecan Oto-Manguean ⊟ Macro-Chibchan ⊞ Cuitlatec Lencan Chibchan Pech Purépecha Xincan Yanomaman Cañari–Puruhá ⊟ Macro-Paezan ⊞ Huarpean Kunza Betoi–Jirara Chimu Quingnam Mochica Itonama Jirajaran Mura-Matanawi Mura Matanawi Nuclear Paezan Andaqui Barbacoan Chocoan Páez–Coconucan Coconuco Guanaca Páez Timucua Warao ⊟ Andean ⊞ Aymaran Itucale‑Sabela Urarina Omurano Wao Terero Cahuapana‑Zaparo Cahuapanan Zaparoan Northern Andean Tallán Hibito–Cholon Culli Leco Sechura Quechuan Southern Andean Alacalufan Araucanian Gününa Küne Chonan Yahgan ⊟ Macro‑Tucanoan ⊞ Aewa Canichana Kanoê Katukinan Gamela Aikanã Irantxe Arutani–Sape Arutani Sapé Máku Kwaza Movima Muniche Nambikwaran Natú Pankararú Puinave–Makú Nadahup Puinave Nukak Kakua Hodï Xukuruan Ticuna–Yuri Ticuna Yurí Tucanoan Uamué ⊟ Equatorial ⊞ Macro‑Arawakan Guajiboan Katembri Otomákoan Tiniguan Arawakan Arawan Maipuran Chapacuran Guamo Uru–Chipaya Cayubaba Kamëntšá Jivaro‑Kandoshi Cofán Esmeraldeño Chicham Candoshi-Shapra Pumé Kariri‑Tupi Kariri Tupian Piaroa–Saliban Taruma Timote Trumai Tuxá Yuracaré Zamucoan ⊟ Macro‑Carib ⊞ Andoque Bora–Witoto Boran Witotoan Cariban Kukurá Peba–Yaguan ⊟ Macro‑Panoan ⊞ Charruan Mascoian Lule–Vilela Mataco–Guaicuru Guaicuruan Mataguayan Mosetén–Chimane Pano-Tacanan Panoan Tacanan ⊟ Macro-Jê ⊞ Bororoan Krenak Karajá Chiquitano Rikbaktsa Yatê Jê Guató Kamakã Maxakalían Ofayé Oti Puri Yabutian ⊟ ⊟	Widely rejected	Harold C. Fleming (initiator), Sergei Starostin, Murray Gell-Mann, John Bengtson
Coahuiltecan	Native languages of modern Texas	Sprachbund
Dené–Caucasian	Dené–Caucasian Eastern Sino-Tibetan Na-Dene Western Yeniseian Burushaski North Caucasian Northeast Caucasian Northwest Caucasian Basque	Widely rejected	John Bengtson, George Starostin, Sergei Starostin
Dravido-Korean	Dravido-Korean Dravidian Koreanic	Obsolete	Susumu Ōno
Elamo-Dravidian	Elamo-Dravidian Dravidian Elamite	Widely rejected	David W. McAlpin, Franklin Southworth
Eurasiatic	Eurasiatic Etruscan Indo-European Uralic–Yukaghir Uralic Yukaghir Altaic Mongolic Tungusic Turkic Korean–Japanese–Ainu Koreanic Japonic Ainu Nivkh Chukotko-Kamchatkan Eskaleut	Widely rejected	Mark Pagel, Joseph Greenberg, Merritt Ruhlen
Ibero-Caucasian	Ibero-Caucasian Kartvelian Northeast Caucasian Northwest Caucasian	Widely rejected	Arnold Chikobava (Initiator)
Indo-Pacific	Several Pacific families.	Widely rejected	Joseph Greenberg (initiator)
Indo-Semitic	Indo-Semitic Indo-European Semitic	Widely rejected	Graziadio Isaia Ascoli (initiator)
Japhetic	Japhetic Basque Kartvelian Semitic	Widely rejected	Nikolai Marr (initiator)
Khoisan	Khoisan Hadza Khoe–Kwadi Kxʼa Sandawe Tuu	Widely rejected	Joseph Greenberg (initiator)
Macro-Mayan	Macro-Mayan Huave Mayan Mixe–Zoque Totonacan	Widely rejected
Mosan	Mosan Chimakuan Salishan Wakashan	Sprachbund
Nostratic	Nostratic Afroasiatic Kartvelian Dravidian Eurasiatic Indo-European Uralic Altaic Mongolic Tungusic Turkic	Widely rejected	Vladimir Dybo
Sino-Uralic	Sino-Uralic Sinitic Uralic	Widely rejected	Jingyi Gao (initiator)
Transeurasian	Transeurasian Altaic Mongolic Turkic Tungusic Japano‑Koreanic Japonic Koreanic	Widely rejected	Martine Robbeets, Remco Bouckaert
Ural–Altaic	Ural–Altaic Altaic Mongolic Tungusic Turkic Uralic	Obsolete; considered a linguistic convergence zone

See also

• List of language families
• Macrofamily