Zimbabwe

English

[eng] 1 (National). De facto national language. 5,585,000 in Zimbabwe, all users. L1 users: 485,000 in Zimbabwe (2019). L2 users: 5,100,000 (2019).

3 (Wider communication)

Ndebele

[nde] 3 (Wider communication). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). 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).

Shona

[sna] 3 (Wider communication). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). 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).

5 (Developing)

Kalanga

[kck] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). 196,000 in Zimbabwe (2012). Total users in all countries: 367,000.

Nambya

[nmq] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). 90,000 in Zimbabwe (Chebanne and Nthapelelang 2000). Total users in all countries: 105,000.

Ndau

[ndc] 5* (Developing). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). 800,000 in Zimbabwe (Chebanne and Nthapelelang 2000).

Zimbabwe Sign Language

[zib] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2010, Constitution, Article 6(1)). 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%.

5 (Dispersed)

Setswana

[tsn] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). 29,400 in Zimbabwe (1969 census).

Tonga

[toi] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). 200,000 in Zimbabwe (Hachipola 1998).

Tsonga

[tso] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). 100,000 in Zimbabwe (Hachipola 1998).

Venda

[ven] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). 91,400 in Zimbabwe (2012).

Xhosa

[xho] 5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). 33,000 in Zimbabwe (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Ethnic population: 200,000 (Kunju 2017).

6a (Vigorous)

Chichewa

[nya] 6a* (Vigorous). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). 405,000 in Zimbabwe (2012).

Dombe

[dov] 6a* (Vigorous).

Manyika

[mxc] 6a* (Vigorous). 405,000 in Zimbabwe (2012). Total users in all countries: 551,000.

Tswa

[tsc] 6a* (Vigorous).

6b (Threatened)

Barwe

[bwg] 6b* (Threatened). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)).

Birwa

[brl] 6b* (Threatened). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). 56,000 in Zimbabwe (1982 census).

Kunda

[kdn] 6b* (Threatened). 145,000 in Zimbabwe (2000). Total users in all countries: 162,760.

7 (Shifting)

Lozi

[loz] 7 (Shifting). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)). 70,000 in Zimbabwe (1982).

Nsenga

[nse] 7 (Shifting). 16,100 in Zimbabwe (1969 census).

Tsoa

[hio] 7 (Shifting). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)), listed as ‘Koisan’. 3,540 in Zimbabwe (2000).

9 (Second language only)

Pidgin Bantu

[fng] 9 (Second language only). No known L1 speakers in Zimbabwe. Ethnic population: No ethnic community.

Unestablished

Afrikaans

[afr] Unestablished. 93,000 in Zimbabwe (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Greek

[ell] Unestablished. 7,800 in Zimbabwe (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Gujarati

[guj] Unestablished. 30,000 in Zimbabwe (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Portuguese

[por] Unestablished. 17,000 in Zimbabwe (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Zimbabwe

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