Chonan languages

Chonan
Patagonian
Geographic
distribution
Patagonia
Extinct2019, with the death of Dora Manchado (Tehuelche)
1 fluent L2 speaker (2014, Selkʼnam)
Linguistic classificationMosetén–Chonan ?
  • Chonan
Subdivisions
Language codes
Glottologchon1288
Het, Gününa Yajich (Puelche), and Chon proper.

The Chonan languages are a family of indigenous American languages which were spoken in Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia. Two Chon languages are well attested: Selkʼnam (or Ona), spoken by the people of the same name who occupied territory in the northeast of Tierra del Fuego; and Tehuelche spoken by the people of the same name who occupied territory north of Tierra del Fuego. The name of the family is from čonn, the Selkʼnam word for 'man'.