Pangwa

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
pbr
Alternate Names
Ekipangwa, Kipangwa
Autonym
Khipangwa
User Population

95,100 (Mradi wa Lugha za Tanzania 2009).

Location

Njombe region: Ludewa district; Livingstone mountains, Lake Nyasa east shore.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Bena-Kinga (G.64)
Dialects

Kimwela. Kimwela has a distinctly different accent and the people consider themselves a separate ethnic group, but it is completely intelligible with Pangwa; intelligibility with Bena [bez] not demonstrated in preliminary tests. Lexical similarity: 71% with Bena [bez], 62% with Kisi [kiz], 61% with Kinga [zga], 59% with Hehe [heh], 58% with Sangu [sbp], 55% with Vwanji [wbi].

Language Use

Vigorous. Low domains and often to discuss high domains. Swahili [swh] used in high domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Swahili [swh], but not much.

Language Development

Grammar. Bible portions: 2016.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Pangwa
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian.