Swahili

A language of Tanzania

Location

Widespread. Unguja North and Unguja South regions: coastal areas.

Also spoken in:

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Australia

Language NameSwahili

User Population

11,500 in Australia (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Burundi

Language NameSwahili

User Population

11,800 in Burundi (2017), increasing.

Location

Widespread in the capital. L1 in Buyenzi, Quartier asiatique, Muslim and Congolese neighborhoods (probably Congo Swahili [swc]). Spoken by Muslims in other cities like Gitega.

Alternate Names

Kiswahili

Language Status

3 (Wider communication).

Language Use

Used mainly in Muslim contexts and for commerce. Religious services, especially Islamic. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Used as L2 by Rundi [run].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. In Burundi, it is a mixture of Congolese and Tanzanian or Kenyan Swahili. Muslim.

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Canada

Language NameSwahili

User Population

13,400 in Canada (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Comoros

Language NameSwahili

User Population

1,000 in Comoros (2018).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Finland

Language NameSwahili

User Population

2,070 in Finland (2018 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Kenya

Language NameSwahili

User Population

19,111,000 in Kenya, all users. L1 users: 111,000 in Kenya (2019 census), increasing, based on ethnicity. 5,140 Amu, 91,400 Bajuni, 320 Chitundi, 1,340 Changamwe, 4,730 Jomvu, 110 Katwa, 690 Kilifi, 640 Kilindini, 240 Mtwapa, 400 Mvita, 1,160 Ngare, 1,120 Pate, 170 Shaka, 1,020 Siu, 530 Tangana, 1,450 Vumba (2019 census). L2 users: 19,000,000 (2019).

Location

Garissa and Lamu counties: Somali border to Tana river mouth, along coast and inland.

Alternate Names

Arab-Swahili, Kisuahili, Kiswaheli, Kiswahili, Suahili

Dialects

Amu (Ozi), Mvita (Kimvita, Mombasa), Bajuni (Bajun, Gunya, Tikulu, Tikuu, Tukulu), Pemba (Hadimu, Phemba, Tambatu), Mambrui (Malindi), Pate, Siu (Siyu), Jomvu, Kilindini, Changamwe, Ngare, Vumba, Tangana, Chitundi, Faza, Katwa, Kilifi, Mtwapa, Shaka.

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Article 7(2)).

Language Use

Classical and modern literature. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use English [eng].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 80%. Literacy rate in L2: 70% in English [eng]. Taught as subject in all primary and secondary schools. Taught in some primary schools in early grades only.

Other Comments

Bajuni most divergent. Muslim.

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Madagascar

Language NameSwahili

User Population

5,600 in Madagascar (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Mayotte

Language NameSwahili

User Population

6,300 in Mayotte (2017).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Mozambique

Language NameSwahili

User Population

22,000 in Mozambique (2017).

Location

Cabo Delgado province.

Alternate Names

Kiswahili

Language Status

3 (Wider communication).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Koti [eko], Makwe [ymk], Mwani [wmw].

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New Zealand

Language NameSwahili

User Population

1,130 in New Zealand (2013 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Oman

Language NameSwahili

User Population

51,800 in Oman (2020).

Location

Ash Sharqiyah South and Muscat governorates; urban centers Muscat and Sur.

Alternate Names

Kiswahili

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Rwanda

Language NameSwahili

User Population

18,000 in Rwanda (2018 J. Leclerc).

Location

Scattered.

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (2017, Organic Law No. 02/2017/OL of 20/04/2017).

Language Development

Taught as subject in tertiary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Saudi Arabia

Language NameSwahili

User Population

395,000 in Saudi Arabia (2018), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Somalia

Language NameSwahili

User Population

274,000 in Somalia (2019).

Location

Jubbada Hoose region: Kismayuu south to Kenya border (Bajuni dialect); Baraawe and dispersed in southern towns (Mwini dialect).

Alternate Names

Kiswahili

Dialects

Mwini (Af-Chimwiini, Barawa, Barwaani, Bravanese, Chimbalazi, Chimiini, Chimwiini, Mbalazi, Miini, Mwiini), Bajuni (Af-Bajuun, al-Jaziira, Bajun, Gunya, Kibajuni, Tikuu).

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

May have come centuries ago from Zanzibar.

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South Africa

Language NameSwahili

User Population

2,000 in South Africa (2012 J. Leclerc).

Location

KwaZulu-Natal province: Chatsworth 1, southwest of Durban proper on the coast.

Alternate Names

Kiswahili

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Zanzibaris brought from Zanzibar and northern Mozambique from 1873–1878. Muslim.

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Uganda

Language NameSwahili

User Population

4,364,700 in Uganda, all users. L1 users: 4,700 in Uganda (2016 J. Leclerc). L2 users: 4,360,000 (2014).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Kiswahili

Dialects

Shamba (Kishamba).

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (2005, Constitution Amendment Act, Article 6(2)).

Language Development

Taught as subject in secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Muslim.

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United Arab Emirates

Language NameSwahili

User Population

21,400 in United Arab Emirates (2020).

Location

Scattered.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United Kingdom

Language NameSwahili

User Population

15,100 in United Kingdom (2011 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United States

Language NameSwahili

User Population

88,700 in United States (2015 census).

Location

Scattered.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Most also use English [eng].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of United States

Swahili

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A language of Tanzania

Also spoken in:

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