Tonga

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A language of Zambia

ISO 639-3
toi
Alternate Names
Batonga, Plateau Tonga, Zambezi, iciTonga
Autonym
Chitonga
User Population

1,330,000 in Zambia (2010 census), increasing. 55,600 Toka-Leya, 1,270,000 Tonga (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 1,530,000.

Location

Southern province: with Ila [ilb] language users; Western province: Sesheke district; small Lusaka border areas.

Language Maps
Language Status

2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in Southern and Western provinces.

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Lenje-Tonga (M.64)
Dialects

Chitonga, Leya, Toka (Southern Tonga), We (Valley Tonga), Shanjo (Sanjo), Twa of Kafwe (Kafue Twa), Mala.

Language Use

Recognized for educational and administrative purposes. Home, community, market, administration. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Used as L2 by Lenje [leh].

Language Development

Taught as subject in primary schools in grades 1–4. Literature. Newspapers. Radio. TV. Grammar. Bible: 1963–1996.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Tonga
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Different from Tonga [tog] of Malawi, Tonga [toh] of Mozambique, or Tsonga (Tonga) [tso] of Mozambique.

Also spoken in:

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