Mozambique
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Barwe
[bwg] Manica province. Users: 34,000 in Mozambique (2017). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Balke, Chirue, Cibalke, Rue. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.44).
Chinese, Mandarin
[cmn] Users: 25,000 in Mozambique (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Chinese.
Chopi
[cce] Gaza province: coastal strip between Chidunguela and Inharrime; Inhambane province: south Zavala district; Maputo province. Center is Quissico. Users: 1,100,000 (2017). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Cicopi, Copi, Shichopi, Shicopi, Shilenge, Tschopi, Txitxopi, Txopi, Xilenge, shiChopi. Autonym: Chichopi. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Copi (S.61).
Chuwabu
[chw] Zambezia province: central coast between Mlanje and Quelimane mountains. Users: 970,000 (2017). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chichwabo, Chuabo, Chuwabo, Chwabo, Cicuabo, Cuabo, Cuwabo, Echuabo, Echuwabu, Ecwabo, Etxuwabo, Txuwabo, Xuabo. Autonym: Echuwabo. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.34).
Dema
[dmx] Tete province: near Cahora Bassa dam, north of Zimbabwe. Users: 11,000 (2017). Population displaced during Cabora Bassa Dam construction. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10).
French
[fra] Users: 93,900 in Mozambique, all users. L1 users: 2,300 in Mozambique (2020 Joshua Project). L2 users: 91,600 (Beck et al 2018). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French.
German, Standard
[deu] Users: 4,000 in Mozambique (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German.
Greek
[ell] Users: 12,700 in Mozambique (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic.
Kabuverdianu
[kea] Users: 2,000 in Mozambique (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Creole, Portuguese based.
Kokola
[kzn] Zambezia province: west. Users: 163,000 in Mozambique (2017). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: iKokola. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.31).
Korean
[kor] Users: 43,000 in Mozambique (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Koreanic.
Koti
[eko] Nampula province: Angoche district, Angoche island coast area; Nampula city enclave. Users: 140,000 (2017). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Akoti, Angoche, Angoje, Angoxe, Coti. Autonym: Ekoti. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.311).
Kunda
[kdn] Tete province: Luangwe and Zambezi rivers’ confluence area. Users: 11,000 in Mozambique (2017). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Chicunda, Chikunda, Cikunda, Mu Chikunda. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.42).
Lolo
[llb] Zambezia province. Users: 330,000 (2017). Status: 5* (Developing). Autonym: iLolo. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.31).
Lomwe
[ngl] Nampula and Niassa provinces: Alto Molocue; Zambezia province. Users: 2,520,000 (2017). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Acilowe, Alomwe, Chilowe, Cilowe, Elomwe, Ilomwe, Ingulu, Lomue, Mihavane, Mihavani, Mihawani, Ngulu, Nguru, Walomwe, West Makhuwa, Western Makua. Autonym: Elhomwe. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.32).
Maindo
[cwb] Zambezia province: Micaune, Zambezi river mouth. Users: 43,000 (2017). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Chwambo. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.34).
Makhuwa
[vmw] Nampula province: south of Meetto area; Cabo Delgado, Niassa, and Zambezia provinces: border areas. Users: 3,960,000 in Mozambique (2017). Total users in all countries: 3,973,600. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Central Makhuwa, Emakhuwa-Makhuwana, Emakua, Macua, Makhuwa-Makhuwana, Makhuwwa of Nampula, Makoane, Makua, Maquoua. Autonym: Emakhuwa. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.31).
Makhuwa-Marrevone
[xmc] Nampula province: inland from Angoche and Moma; Zambezia province: Nova Nabori inland to Amela. Users: 438,000 (2017). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Coastal Makhuwa, Emaka, Maca, Maka, Makua-Marevone, Marevone, Marrevone, South Maca. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.31).
Makhuwa-Meetto
[mgh] Cabo Delgado and Niassa provinces: Pemba coast inland; Nampula province: coast north of Nacala. Users: 1,170,000 in Mozambique (2017). Total users in all countries: 1,748,630. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Emeto, Medo, Meetto, Meto, Metto, Mêto. Autonym: Imeetto. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.31).
Makhuwa-Moniga
[mhm] Zambezia province: Indian Ocean coast and inland past Mocubela. Users: 440,000 (2017). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Emakhuwa-Emoniga, Emoniga, Moniga. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.341).
Makhuwa-Saka
[xsq] Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces: border area, Lurio river. Users: 432,000 (2017). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Esaaka, Esaka, Isaanga, Ishanga, Saaka, Saanga, Saka, Sanga. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.31).
Makhuwa-Shirima
[vmk] Nampula province: west; Niassa province; Zambezia province: northwest border. Users: 729,000 (2017). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Chirima, Echirima, Emakhua Eshirima, Emakhuwa Echirima, Eshirima, Makhuwa-Exirima, Makhuwa-Niassa, Makhuwa-Xirima, Shirima, West Makua, Xirima. Autonym: Emakhua Exirima. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.31).
Makonde
[kde] Cabo Delgado province: Mueda (Maviha dialect). Users: 525,000 in Mozambique (2017). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Chimakonde, Chinimakonde, Cimakonde, Konde, Maconde, Makonda, Matambwe, Shimakonde. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Yao (P.23).
Makwe
[ymk] Cabo Delgado province: coast, Tanzania border area south to Quionga and Palma; Ruvuma river area to Pundanhar. Users: 50,000 in Mozambique (2017). Total users in all countries: 147,700. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Kimakwe, Macue, Palma. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.402).
Manyawa
[mny] Zambezia province: Lugela district. Users: 219,000 (2017). 85% monolingual in Lugela District. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.31).
Manyika
[mxc] Manica province: north of Ndau, west of Tewe; Tete province: southwest. Users: 146,000 in Mozambique (2017). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Chimanyika, Manika. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.13).
Marenje
[vmr] Zambezia province. Users: 588,000 (2017). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Emarendje, Marendje. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.31).
Mozambican Sign Language
[mzy] Scattered. In at least 3 large cities: Beira, Maputo, and Nampula. Users: 150,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 90,000–180,000 deaf signers, based on 0.3%–0.6% of total population. Status: 5 (Developing). Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language.
Mwani
[wmw] Cabo Delgado province: coast north of Pemba, Arimba to Palma, Ibo and Mocimboa da Praia; Querimba archipelago offshore. Users: 166,000, all users. L1 users: 146,000 (2017). L2 users: 20,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Ibo, Muane, Mwane, Mwaní, Namwaní, Quimuane. Autonym: Kimwani. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.403).
Nathembo
[nte] Nampula province: Amisse, Charamatane, Mutembua, Namaeca, Namaponda, Zubairi, to Khibulani and Mogincual, all on Sangange peninsula. Users: 51,000 (2017). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Esakaji, Sakaji, Sakati, Sanagage, Sangaji, Sankaji, Theithei. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.312).
Ndau
[ndc] Inhambane and Gaza provinces; Manica and Sofala provinces: south of Beira. Users: 730,000 in Mozambique (2017). Total users in all countries: 1,530,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Cindau, Ndzawu, Njao, Sofala, Southeast Shona. Autonym: Chindau. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.15).
Nsenga
[nse] Tete province: north of Zambezi river. Users: 206,000 in Mozambique (2017). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Chinsenga, Cinsenga, Senga. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.41).
Nyanja
[nya] Niassa, Tete, and Zambezia provinces. Macanga district, Tete (Angoni and Chewa dialects); Niassa province: Lago and Sanga (Ngoni dialect); Niassa and Tete, along Lake Niassa (Nyanja dialect). Users: 1,290,000 in Mozambique (2017). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Chinyanja, CiNyanja, Cinianja. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Chewa-Nyanja (N.31).
Nyungwe
[nyu] Manica province: Luenha river east bank, east from Changara; Tete province: Zambezi river banks. Users: 490,000 (2017 census). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Alternate Names: Chinyungwe, Chinyungwi, Nyongwe, Teta, Tete, Yungwe. Autonym: Cinyungwe. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.43).
Phimbi
[phm] Tete province: Zambezi river banks northwest of Tete city. Users: 12,800 (2017). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Pimbi. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.41).
Portuguese
[por] Users: 13,130,000 in Mozambique, all users. L1 users: 5,000,000 in Mozambique (2020). L2 users: 8,130,000 (2020). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2004, Constitution, Article 10). Alternate Names: Português. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician.
Ronga
[rng] Cidade de Maputo; Maputo province. Users: 617,000 in Mozambique (2017). Total users in all countries: 618,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: GiRonga, Gironga, Rhonga, ShiRonga, Shironga, XiRonga, Xirhonga. Autonym: Xironga. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Tswa-Rhonga (S.54).
Sena
[seh] Manica, Sofala, Tete, and Zambezia provinces: lower Zambezi river region. Users: 2,030,000 (2017). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Chisena. Autonym: Cisena. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.44).
Swahili
[swh] Cabo Delgado province. Users: 22,000 in Mozambique (2017). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Alternate Names: Kiswahili. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.42).
Swati
[ssw] Maputo province: border area west of the capital. Users: 2,500 in Mozambique (2017). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Siswazi, Swazi, Tekela, Tekeza, siSwati. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.43).
Takwane
[tke] Zambezia province. Users: 368,000 (2017). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Etakwane, Thakwani. Autonym: Etakwani. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Makhuwa (P.31).
Tawara
[twl] Tete province: south, north of Zimbabwe. Users: 110,000 (2017). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Tavara, Tawala. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.11).
Tewe
[twx] Manica and Sofala provinces: Chimoio city northeast, Pungoe river north bank. Users: 365,000 (2017). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Chiute, Ciute, Teve, Utee, Vateve, Wateve. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.13).
Tonga
[toh] Inhambane province: up to Morrumbane. Users: 327,000 (2017). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Bitonga, Gitonga, Guitonga, Inhambane, Shengwe, Tonga-Inhambane. Autonym: guiTonga. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Copi (S.62).
Tsonga
[tso] Cidade de Maputo, Gaza, and Maputo provinces; Inhambane province: west. Users: 4,200,000 in Mozambique (2017). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Gwamba, Shitsonga, Thonga, Tonga, Vatsonga, Xitsonga. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Tswa-Rhonga (S.53).
Tswa
[tsc] Gaza province: border area; Inhambane province: south of Save river. Users: 1,000,000 in Mozambique (2017). Total users in all countries: 1,020,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Kitshwa, Sheetshwa, Shitshwa, Tshwa, Xitshwa. Autonym: Xitswa. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Tswa-Rhonga (S.51).
Xingoni
[xnq] Cabo Delgado province: Meluco, Montepuez, Mueda, and Nangade districts; Niassa province: Mecula district. Users: 53,000 (2020 SIL). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Mozambican Ngoni, Ngoni. Autonym: Xingoni. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Manda (N.12).
Yao
[yao] Cabo Delgado province: Ruvumu river near Negomano; Nampula province: west; Niassa province: south and east of Lake Malawi; Zambezia province: Gurue district, northwest border. Users: 298,000 in Mozambique (2017). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Achawa, Adsawa, Adsoa, Ajawa, Ayawa, Ayo, Chiyao, Ciyao, Ciyawo, Djao, Haiao, Hiao, Hyao, Jao, Veiao, Wajao, Yawo. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Yao (P.21).
Zulu
[zul] Maputo province: borders with Swaziland and South Africa. Users: 6,000 in Mozambique (2017). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Isizulu, Zunda. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.42).