Whistled Language - List of Whistled Languages

List of Whistled Languages

The following list is of languages that exist or existed in a whistled form, or of ethnic groups that speak such languages. In some cases (e.g. Chinantec) the whistled speech is an important and integral part of the language and culture; in others (e.g. Nahuatl) its role is much lesser.

  • Americas
    • Alaska: Yupik
    • United States: Taos
    • Mexico: Amuzgo, Chinantec, Ch'ol, Kickapoo, Mazatec, Nahuatl, Otomi, Sayula Popoluca, Tepehua, Totonac, Zapotec, whistled Spanish in Tlaxcala
    • Bolivia: Siriono
    • Colombia: Desano
    • Brazil: Pirahã
  • Asia
    • China: Bai
    • Vietnam: Hmong
    • Burma: Chin
    • Nepal: Chepang
    • Turkey: Turkish (village of Kuşköy)
    • for Siberian Yupik inhabitants of St. Lawrence Island, see Yupik, Alaska, America mentioned above
  • Europe and Canary Islands
    • France (village of Aas, Pyrenees): Occitan language
    • Greece (village of Antia on the island of Euboea)
    • Spain (La Gomera and El Hierro, Canary Islands): "Silbo Gomero"
  • Africa
    • Ethiopia: Bench
    • West Africa: Bafia, Bape, Birifor, Bobo, Burunsi, Daguri, Diola, Ewe, Fongbe, Marka, Ngwe, Twi, Tshi, Ule (among others)
    • Ghana: Nchumburu
    • Nigeria: Yoruba
    • Cameroun: Gbaya, Doohwaayo, Mofu
  • Oceania
    • New Guinea: Gadsup, Binumarien, Abau, Polopa, Telefol, Bauzi, (possibly Tairora and Narak, in the latter reportedly linked with the spirits talking)

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