Setswana

A language of Botswana

Widespread as lingua franca; Central district: Mahalapye and Serowe-Palapye subdistricts; Kgatleng and South East districts; Kweneng and Southern districts: east; North West district: Maun village area.

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Namibia

Language NameSetswana

User Population

6,330 in Namibia (2018).

Location

Hardap region; Omaheke region: Botswana border.

Alternate Names

Tswana

Dialects

Tlharo, Tlhaping, Tawana.

Language Status

4 (Educational). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1.5.1 and 5.5), mainly used as education medium in primary grades.

Language Use

Education, administration. Used as L2 by Khwedam [xuu], Yeyi [yey].

Language Development

Taught in primary schools through grade 3.

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South Africa

Language NameSetswana

User Population

11,770,000 in South Africa, all users. L1 users: 4,070,000 in South Africa (2013 UNSD), increasing. L2 users: 7,700,000 (Webb 2002).

Location

Free State province: between Bloemfontein and Kimberley; Gauteng province: southwest of Pretoria; Limpopo province: Waterberg municipality; North-West province; Northern Cape province: northeast.

Alternate Names

Beetjuans, Chuana, Coana, Cuana, Sechuana, Tsiwaha, Tswana

Dialects

Tawana, Hurutshe, Ngwaketse, Thlaro, Kwena, Ngwato, Tlokwa, Melete, Kgatla, Thlaping (Tlapi), Rolong.

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1996, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Statutory provincial language in Northern Cape and North West provinces (2012, Use of Official Languages Act, No. 12, Section 4(1)).

Language Development

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

Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.

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Zimbabwe

Language NameSetswana

User Population

29,400 in Zimbabwe (1969 census).

Location

Matabeleland South province: Bulilimamangwe district, between Ramoquabane and Simukwe rivers.

Alternate Names

Beetjuans, Chuana, Chwana, Coana, Cuana, Sechuana, Tshwana, Tswana

Dialects

Ngwatu (Mangwato), Tlhaping.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)).

Language Use

Most also use Kalanga [kck] (Hachipola 1998). Most also use Ndebele [nde] (Hachipola 1998).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Setswana

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A language of Botswana

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