Botswana
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Afrikaans
[afr] Central and Kgatleng districts: north of Limpopo river; Ghanzi and Kgalagadi districts: widespread; North West district along Namibian border; Southern district: small area southwest of Khakea; possibly Takatokwane area. Users: 8,080 in Botswana (2015 UNSD). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian.
Birwa
[brl] Central district: Bobonong subdistrict, Bobonong, Kobojango, Mathathane, Motalatau, and Semolale. Users: 15,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook). Total users in all countries: 71,000. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.32).
Chichewa
[nya] Users: Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Chicheŵa, Chinjanja, Chinyanja, Nyanja. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Chewa-Nyanja (N.31).
Chinese
[zho] A macrolanguage. 1,000 in Botswana. Non-indigenous.
English
[eng] Users: 939,900 in Botswana, all users. L1 users: 64,900 in Botswana (2020). L2 users: 875,000 (2016). Status: 1 (National). De facto national working language. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English.
Gciriku
[diu] North West district; extreme west and north borders with Namibia. Users: 2,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook). Status: 5 (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Diriko, Diriku, Mbogedo, Mbogedu, Rugciriku, Rumanyo, Shimbogedu. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Luyana (K.332).
Gujarati
[guj] Users: 1,850 in Botswana (2003 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Gujarati.
Haiǁom
[hgm] Scattered. Users: 30,000 in Botswana (2003 J. Leclerc). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Khoekhoe, Hainum.
Herero
[her] Central district: Letlhakane, Mahalapye, Mokoboxane, Rakops, and Toromoja; Ghanzi district: Charles Hill, Dekar, Dryhoek, Ghanzi, Makunda, and New Kanagas; Kgalagadi district: Omaweneno, Tsabong, and Werd; Kgatleng district: Morwa; North West district: Gomare, Makakung, Maun, Nokaneng, Nxaunxau, Sehitwa, Shakawe, and western cattleposts; scattered among other ethnic groups. Users: 18,700 in Botswana (2015 UNSD). Status: 5 (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Ochiherero, Otjiherero. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Herero (R.30).
Juǀ’hoansi
[ktz] Ghanzi district: Ghanzi, Grootelaagte, Kanagas, and commercial farms; North West district: west of Nokaneng. Users: 5,000 in Botswana (2003 J. Leclerc). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: !Xo, !Xun, Dobe Kung, Dzu’oasi, Ju’oasi, Juǀ’hoan, Kung, Kung-Tsumkwe, Tsumkwe, Xaixai, Xû, Zhu’oasi. Classification: Kx’a, !Kung.
Kalanga
[kck] Central district: east third; North East district: widespread; North West district: southeast. Users: 171,000 in Botswana (2020). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Chikalanga, Ikalanga, Kalagan, Kalaka, Sekalaka, Sekalanga, Sekalaña, Tjikalanga. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.16).
Kgalagadi
[xkv] Ghanzi district: Charles Hill, Dekar, Ghanzi, Grootlaagte, Kanagas, Karakobis, Kuke, Kule, Ncojane, New Xade, and Tsotsha; Kgalagadi district: north; Kweneng district: west; Southern district; North West district: Maun and Sehitwa. Users: 78,800 (2020). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Bakgalagari, Kgalagarhi, Kgalagari, Khalagari, Khalakadi, Kxhalaxadi, Qhalaxari, Sekgalagadi, Shekgalagadi, “Makgalagadi” (pej.). Autonym: Shekgalagari. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.311).
Khoekhoe
[naq] Ghanzi district: villages along Ghanzi-Mamuno road; Kgalagadi district: Makopong, Omaweneno, Tsabong, and Tshane. Users: 200 in Botswana (2003 J. Leclerc). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Bergdamara, Dama, Damaqua, Damara, Khoekhoegowab, Nama, Namakwa, Naman, Namaqua, Tama, Tamakwa, Tamma, “Hottentot” (pej.), “Kupkaferrn” (pej.), “Kupkaffer” (pej.). Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Khoekhoe, Nama.
Khwedam
[xuu] North West district: ǀAo-Kyao, Beyetca, Cadikarauwe, Cauwe, Djaxo, Dungu, Gan, Geixa, Gudigoa, Kangwara, Kaputura, Mohembo, Moxatce, Ngarange, ǁQom-ca, Sekanduko, Seronga, Shakawe, Sicokora, Sikondomboro, Tobere, ‡Umbexa, and Xongoa. Users: 1,700 in Botswana (Brenzinger 2013b). Children and elderly are monolingual. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Khoe, Khwe, Kxoe, Xun, “Basarwa” (pej.), “Mbarakwena” (pej.), “Water Bushmen” (pej.). Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Kalahari Khoe, Northwest.
Kua
[tyu] Central district: especially Mahalapye, Serowe subdistricts; North East district: primarily cattleposts and settlements. Users: 820 (2004 R. Cook). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Cua, Tyhua, Tyua, “Basarwa” (pej.), “Masarwa” (pej.). Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Kalahari Khoe, Northeast.
Kuhane
[sbs] North West district: Chobe subdistrict, mixed in with Lozi [loz] language area. Users: 6,520 in Botswana (2015 UNSD). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Chikuhane, Echisubia, Ikuhane, Kuahane, Kwahane, Sesubea, Sesubiya, Subia, Subiya, Supia. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Subiya-Totela (K.42).
Kung-Ekoka
[knw] Ghanzi district: Charles Hill sub-district, northwest of Ghanzi town. Users: 2,000 in Botswana (Brenzinger 2013b). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: !Hu, !Ku, !Kung, !Xu, !Xun, !Xung, Ekoka-!Xû. Classification: Kx’a, !Kung.
Lower Nossob
[nsb] Kgalagadi district, South African and Namibian border area. Users: No known L1 speakers in Botswana. Status: 10 (Extinct). Alternate Names: Lower-Nosop. Classification: Tuu, Taa.
Lozi
[loz] North West district: Chobe subdistrict, mixed in with Kuhane [sbs] language area. Users: 14,000 in Botswana (2003 J. Leclerc). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: siLozi. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Lozi (K.21).
Mbukushu
[mhw] North West district: north of Gomare within 30 km of Okavango river. Users: 37,100 in Botswana (2020). Total users in all countries: 95,010. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Gova, Hambukushu, Kusso, Mambukush, Mampukush, Mbukuhu, Mbukushi, Sembukushu, Sempukushu. Autonym: Thimbukushu. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Luyana (K.333).
Nambya
[nmq] Central district: west and southeast of Nata town, also along Nata river watershed; North West district: southeast corner. Users: 15,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Chinambya, Nambzya, Nanzva, chiNambya. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.16).
Naro
[nhr] Ghanzi district: Bere, Dekar, Charles Hill, East Hanahai, Ghanzi, Grootelaagte, Kanagas, Karakobis, Kuke, Makunda, New Kanagas, Tshobokwane, and West Hanahai commercial farms; North West district: south. Users: 18,000 in Botswana, all users. L1 users: 8,000 in Botswana (2014 H. Visser). L2 users: 10,000 (Brenzinger 2013b). Total users in all countries: 20,000 (as L1: 10,000; as L2: 10,000). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Alternate Names: Nharo, Nharon, Nhauru, Nhaurun, ǀAikwe, ǁAikwe, ǁAisan, ǁAiǁe, ǁAiǁen. Autonym: Naro. Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Kalahari Khoe, Southwest.
Ndebele
[nde] Central district: Zimbabwe border; North East district: a few villages; North West district: Chobe area. Users: 23,200 in Botswana (2020). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Isinde’bele, Northern Ndebele, Sindebele, Tabele, Tebele, isiNdebele. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.44).
Setswana
[tsn] Widespread as lingua franca; Central district: Mahalapye and Serowe-Palapye subdistricts; Kgatleng and South East districts; Kweneng and Southern districts: east; North West district: Maun village area. Users: 1,940,000 in Botswana, all users. L1 users: 1,790,000 in Botswana (2020). L2 users: 150,000. Total users in all countries: 13,745,730 (as L1: 5,895,730; as L2: 7,850,000). Status: 1 (National). De facto national language. Alternate Names: Bechuana, Beetjuans, Chuana, Chwana, Coana, Cuana, Sechuana, Secoana, Secwana, Tshwana, Tswana. Autonym: Setswana. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.31).
Shua
[shg] Central district: Boteti subdistrict, Letlhakane, Mmatshumu, Mokoboxane, Motopi, and Popipi; Tutume subdistrict, Gweta and Nata; North West district: small area southeast. Users: 2,000 (Brenzinger 2013b). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Mashuakwe, Sesarwa, Shua-Khwe, Shuakhwena, Tshumakwe. Autonym: Shua. Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Kalahari Khoe, North-Central.
Sotho, Northern
[nso] Users: 11,000 in Botswana (2003 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.32).
Sotho, Southern
[sot] Users: 9,300 in Botswana (2003 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.33).
Tshuwau
[hio] Central district: especially Mahalapye and Serowe subdistricts; Kweneng district: Ghanzi and Kgatleng districts’ border areas; primarily cattleposts and settlements. Users: 2,000 in Botswana (Brenzinger 2013b). Total users in all countries: 5,540. Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Chirechire, Chuwau, Chware, Gabake-Ntshori, Gǁabake, Haitshuari, Hietshware, Hiochuwau, Hiotshuwau, Kalahari Khoe, Kwe, Kwe-Etshori Kwee, Kwe-Tshori, Masarwa, Sesarwa, Tati, Tati Bushman, Tshwa, Tshwao, Tsoa, Tsua, “Sarwa” (pej.). Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Kalahari Khoe, Northeast.
Tswapong
[two] Central district: Mahalapye subdistrict, all villages east of Mahalapye; Kgatleng district: northeast corner. Users: 5,380 (2003 UNSD). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Setswapong. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.32).
Xhosa
[xho] Users: 9,300 in Botswana (2003 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.41).
!Xóõ
[nmn] Ghanzi district: south; Kgalagadi district: north; Kweneng and Southern districts: west. Users: 2,000 in Botswana (2011 C. Naumann). Total users in all countries: 2,500. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: !Khong, !Xo, !Xo’o~, East Taa, N/amani, Ngǀamani, Taa, Tsasi. Classification: Tuu, Taa.
Yeyi
[yey] Central district: Letihakane, Motopi, Rakops, and Xumu; North West district: Maun, Shorobe up to Daunara, Gumare, Ikoga, Mababe, Nokaneng, Sankoyo, Sepopo, Seronga, and Shakawe. Users: 4,180 in Botswana (2015 UNSD). Ethnic population: 47,000. Total users in all countries: 11,180. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Ciyei, Seyei, Seyeyi, Siyei, Wayeyi, Yeei, Yei, “Koba” (pej.), “Kuba” (pej.), “Sekoba” (pej.). Autonym: Shiyeyi. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Yeyi (R.41).
Zezuru
[sna] Central district: north; North West district: northeast. Users: 46,300 in Botswana (2020). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Shona, chiShona. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10).
Zulu
[zul] Users: 4,600 in Botswana (2003 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.42).
ǀGwi
[gwj] Ghanzi district: East Hanahai, Kacgae, and New Xade; Kweneng district: Dutlwe, Kautwane, Khekhenye, Letihakeng, Morwamosu, Serinane, Takotokwane, and Tsetseng. Users: 1,470 (Brenzinger 2013b). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Dcui, G!wikwe, Gcwi, Gǀwi, Gǀwikhwe, ǀGui. Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Kalahari Khoe, Southwest.
ǁAni
[hnh] North West district: Khwai river, Mababe; near Khwedam [xuu] language area. Users: 1,000 (Brenzinger 2013b). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Handa-Khwe, Handakwe-Dam, Handá, Handádam, Ts’exa, Ts’éxa, ǀAnda, ǁAnikhwe. Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Kalahari Khoe, Northwest.
ǁGana
[gnk] Central district: Boteti subdistrict, cattleposts south and west of Rakops; Ghanzi district: New Xadi and Ghanzi, Ghanzi commercial farms, Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Users: 1,030 (Brenzinger 2013b). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: /Gui, Dxana, Gxana, Gxanna, Gǁana, Gǁana-Khwe, Kanakhoe. Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Kalahari Khoe, Southwest.
ǂ’Amkhoe
[huc] Kweneng district: southern Kalahari desert. Users: 30 (Brenzinger 2013b), decreasing. Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Alternate Names: Eastern ‡Hoan, ǀHua, ǀHû, ‡Hoa, ‡Hoan, ‡Hoã, ‡Hua, ‡Hua-Owani. Classification: Kx’a.