Naro

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A language of Botswana

ISO 639-3

nhr

Alternate Names

Nharo, Nharon, Nhauru, Nhaurun, ǀAikwe, ǁAikwe, ǁAisan, ǁAiǁe, ǁAiǁen

Autonym

Naro

User Population

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).

Location

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.

Language Maps

Botswana

Namibia

Language Status

3 (Wider communication).

Classification

Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Kalahari Khoe, Southwest

Dialects

Ts’ao (Ts’aokhoe, Tsaokhwe, Tsaukwe), Nǀhai-Ntse’e (Nǁhai, Ts’ao), Qabekhoe (!Kabbakwe, Qabekho).

Typology

SOV; tonal.

Language Use

Also use English [eng]. Used as L2 by !Xóõ [nmn], ǀGwi [gwj], ǁGana [gnk], Juǀ’hoansi [ktz].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 15–29 years: 70% in Setswana [tsn], 15% in English [eng]; 30–54 years: 10% in Setswana 2% in English; 55 and older: 2% in Setswana, 0% in English. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2012. Agency: Naro Language Project.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Naro

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.