Zimbabwe
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Afrikaans
[afr] Users: 93,000 in Zimbabwe (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian.
Barwe
[bwg] Manicaland province: Nyanga district, Nyamaropa area, Mashumba, Mbiriyade, Mukatsa, Mukwewa, and Sangoma wards; possibly Mashonaland East province: Mudzi district. Users: Status: 6b* (Threatened). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Alternate Names: ChiBarwe. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.44).
Birwa
[brl] Matabeleland South province: Beitbridge, Bulilimamangwe, Gwanda and Matobo districts. Users: 56,000 in Zimbabwe (1982 census). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Alternate Names: Sotho. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.32).
Chichewa
[nya] Mashonaland Central province; possible communities in Harare and other urban areas. Users: 405,000 in Zimbabwe (2012). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Alternate Names: Chicheŵa, Chinyanja, Nyanja. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Chewa-Nyanja (N.31).
Dombe
[dov] Matabeleland North province: Hwange district, Lukosi area; southwest of confluence of Shangani and Zambezi rivers. Users: Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Toka-Leya-Dombe. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Lenje-Tonga (M.64).
English
[eng] Users: 5,585,000 in Zimbabwe, all users. L1 users: 485,000 in Zimbabwe (2019). L2 users: 5,100,000 (2019). Status: 1 (National). De facto national language. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English.
Greek
[ell] Users: 7,800 in Zimbabwe (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic.
Gujarati
[guj] Users: 30,000 in Zimbabwe (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Gujarati.
Kalanga
[kck] Matabeleland South province: Bulilimamangwe and Matobo districts; Matabeleland North province: Tsholotsho district. Users: 196,000 in Zimbabwe (2012). Total users in all countries: 367,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Alternate Names: Bakaa, Chikalanga, Ikalanga, Kalana, Kanana, Makalaka, Sekalaña, Wakalanga, Western Shona. Autonym: Tjikalanga. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.16).
Kunda
[kdn] Mashonaland Central province: Guruve district. Users: 145,000 in Zimbabwe (2000). Total users in all countries: 162,760. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Achikunda, Chikunda, Cikunda. Autonym: Mu Chikunda. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.42).
Lozi
[loz] Matabeleland North province: Zambia border west of Victoria Falls. Users: 70,000 in Zimbabwe (1982). Status: 7 (Shifting). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Alternate Names: Kololo, Rotse, Rotvi, Rozi, Rutse, Silozi, Tozvi. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Lozi (K.21).
Manyika
[mxc] Manicaland province: Makoni, Mutasa, Mutare, and Nyanga districts, northwest of Umtali. Users: 405,000 in Zimbabwe (2012). Total users in all countries: 551,000. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Bamanyeka, Chimanyika, Manika, Wamanyika, Wanyika. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.13).
Nambya
[nmq] Matabeleland North province: primarily Hwange district; Binga and Lupane districts; Bulawayo. Users: 90,000 in Zimbabwe (Chebanne and Nthapelelang 2000). Total users in all countries: 105,000. Status: 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Alternate Names: Banyai, Chinambya, Nambzya, Nanzva. Autonym: chiNambya. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.16).
Ndau
[ndc] Manicaland province: Melsetter area south of Umtali; Masvingo province: Bikita district. Users: 800,000 in Zimbabwe (Chebanne and Nthapelelang 2000). Status: 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Alternate Names: Chindau, Ndzawu, Njao, Sofala, Southeast Shona. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.15).
Ndebele
[nde] Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, and Matabeleland South provinces; Midlands province: Gokwe South, Gueru, Kwekwe, Mberengwa, and Shurugwi districts. Users: 3,010,000 in Zimbabwe, all users. L1 users: 1,610,000 in Zimbabwe (2012). L2 users: 1,400,000 (2019). Total users in all countries: 3,046,200 (as L1: 1,646,200; as L2: 1,400,000). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Alternate Names: Isinde’bele, Ndebele of Zimbabwe, Northern Ndebele, Sindebele, Tabele, Tebele. Autonym: isiNdebele. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.44).
Nsenga
[nse] Mashonaland Central province: Mozambique border; Mount Darwin, Muzarabani, and Rushinga districts. Users: 16,100 in Zimbabwe (1969 census). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Chinsenga, Cinsenga, Senga. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.41).
Pidgin Bantu
[fng] Mashonaland Central province; widespread in Shona speaking areas, mining camps, and urban centers. Users: No known L1 speakers in Zimbabwe. Ethnic population: No ethnic community. Status: 9 (Second language only). Alternate Names: Isilololo, Isipiki, Lololo, Piki, “Fanagalo” (pej.), “Fanakalo” (pej.), “Fanekolo” (pej.), “Isikula” (pej.). Classification: Pidgin, Zulu based.
Portuguese
[por] Users: 17,000 in Zimbabwe (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician.
Setswana
[tsn] Matabeleland South province: Bulilimamangwe district, between Ramoquabane and Simukwe rivers. Users: 29,400 in Zimbabwe (1969 census). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Alternate Names: Beetjuans, Chuana, Chwana, Coana, Cuana, Sechuana, Tshwana, Tswana. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.31).
Shona
[sna] Harare, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, and Midlands provinces. Manicaland province, Nyanga district (Hwesa dialect); Mashonaland East, Mudzi and Mutoko districts (Budja dialect). Users: 10,660,000 in Zimbabwe, all users. L1 users: 7,160,000 in Zimbabwe (2012). L2 users: 3,500,000 (2019). Total users in all countries: 10,865,590 (as L1: 7,365,590; as L2: 3,500,000). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Alternate Names: chiShona, “Swina” (pej.). Autonym: Chishona. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10).
Tonga
[toi] Mashonaland Central: Mount Darwin district; Mashonaland West province: Kariba district; Matabeleland North province: Binga district; Midlands province: Gokwe North and Gokwe South districts. South shore of Lake Kariba and inland. Users: 200,000 in Zimbabwe (Hachipola 1998). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Alternate Names: Batonga, Chitonga, Zambezi. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Lenje-Tonga (M.64).
Tsoa
[hio] Matabeleland North province: Hwange and Tsholotsho districts; Matabeleland South province: Bulilimamangwe district; Botswana border. Users: 3,540 in Zimbabwe (2000). Status: 7 (Shifting). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)), listed as ‘Koisan’. Alternate Names: Amasili, Bakhwa, Basarwa, Chware, Haitshuwau, Hiechware, Hietshware, Khoisan, Koi-san, Koisan, Tjwao, Tshikwa, Tshuwau, Tshwa, Tshwao, Tshwawo. Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Kalahari Khoe, Northeast.
Tsonga
[tso] Masvingo province, Chiredzi, Mwenezi, and Zaka districts; near Mozambique border. Users: 100,000 in Zimbabwe (Hachipola 1998). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Alternate Names: Gwamba, Shangani, 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] Manicaland province: southern area; Masvingo province; Matabeleland South province: Beitbridge; Midlands province: Mberengwa. Users: Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Kitshwa, Sheetshwa, Shitshwa, Tshwa, Xitshwa. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Tswa-Rhonga (S.51).
Venda
[ven] Matabeleland South province: Beitbridge, Bulilimamangwe, and Gwanda districts; Midlands province: Mberengwa district. Users: 91,400 in Zimbabwe (2012). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Alternate Names: Cevenda, Chivenda, Luvenḓa, Tshivenḓa. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Venda (S.21).
Xhosa
[xho] Matabeleland North: Bubi district, Kenilworth and Motapa areas; Matabeleland South: Insiza and Umzingwane districts, Bembesi, Filabusi, and Fort Rixon areas. Users: 33,000 in Zimbabwe (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Ethnic population: 200,000 (Kunju 2017). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.41).
Zimbabwe Sign Language
[zib] Mashonaland Central province: Muzarabani district, Centenary area. Users: 73,000 (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 44,000–88,000, assuming 0.3%–0.6% of the total population. However, there are 280,000 deaf members reported for the Zimbabwe National Association of the Deaf (2008 WFD), which is almost 2%. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2010, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Alternate Names: Zimsign. Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language.