Swati

Primary tabs

A language of Swaziland

Also spoken in:

Expand All

Collapse All

Lesotho

Language NamePhuthi

User Population

52,000 in Lesotho (Leclerc 2017f).

Location

Mohale’s Hoek, Qacha’s Nek, Quthing, and Thaba-Tseka districts.

Alternate Names

Sephuthi, Síphùthì

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of Lesotho

Mozambique

Language NameSwati

User Population

2,500 in Mozambique (2017).

Location

Maputo province: border area west of the capital.

Alternate Names

Siswazi, Swazi, Tekela, Tekeza, siSwati

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

View other languages of Mozambique

South Africa

Language NameSwati

User Population

3,700,000 in South Africa, all users. L1 users: 1,300,000 in South Africa (2013 UNSD). L2 users: 2,400,000 (Webb 2002).

Location

KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces.

Alternate Names

Siswati, Siswazi, Swazi, Tekela, Tekeza, Thithiza, Yeyeza, siSwati

Dialects

Baca, Hlubi, Phuthi (Sephuthi).

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1996, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Statutory provincial language in Mpumalanga province (2012, Use of Official Languages Act, No. 12, Section 4(1)).

Language Development

Taught as subject in a few primary and secondary schools from grade 4. Taught in primary schools through grade 3.

Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.

View other languages of South Africa

Swati

Primary tabs

A language of Swaziland

Also spoken in:

Browse by

25th Edition

Products

Related Sites