Languages of South Africa: Extensive list of all the languages of South Africa. South African languages
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Republic of South Africa. Republiek van Suid-Afrika. 42,718,530. Population includes 24,100,000 Africans (73.8%), 5,000,000 Whites (14.8%), 2,800,000 'Coloureds' (8.7%), 890,292 Asians (2.7%) (1987 USA Today). National or official languages: Afrikaans, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu, English. Literacy rate: 50% Africans, 62% 'Coloureds', 69% Asians, 99% Whites (1990 WA). Also includes Angloromani, Eastern Yiddish, Greek (70,000), Gujarati, Hai||om, Hakka Chinese (6,063), Kung-Ekoka (3,500), Portuguese (617,000), Standard German (45,000), Tamil (250,000), Yue Chinese (15,000), workers from nearby countries (2,700,000). Information mainly from F. Anderson 1987; J. Holm 1989; L-G Andersson and T. Janson 1997; M. Brenzinger 1997. Blind population: 62,000 (1982 WCE). Deaf population: 12,100 (1986 Gallaudet University). Deaf institutions: 43. The number of languages listed for South Africa is 31. Of those, 24 are living languages, 3 are second language without mother-tongue speakers, and 4 are extinct.
Living languages
Afrikaans
[afr] 5,811,547 in South Africa (1996 census). Population total all countries: 5,965,879. Pretoria and Bloemfontein are principal centers of population. Cape Malays live mainly in Cape Town, with some in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Port Elizabeth. Also spoken in Australia, Botswana, Canada, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, New Zealand, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Dialects: Cape Afrikaans (West Cape Afrikaans), Orange River Afrikaans, East Cape Afrikaans. A variant of the Dutch spoken by the 17th century colonists, with some lexical and syntactic borrowings from Malay, Bantu languages, Khoisan languages, Portuguese, and other European languages. Their ancestors were brought from Java 300 years ago. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian
Birwa
[brl] Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.30), Sotho
Camtho
[cmt] Soweto, Johannesburg, urban settings. Alternate names: Isicamtho, Iscamtho. Dialects: A development in the 1980s from the original Tsotsitaal, and sometimes called 'Tsotsitaal'. Also described as a basically Zulu or Sotho language with heavy codeswitching and many English and Afrikaans content morphemes. Classification: Mixed Language, Zulu-Bantu
English
[eng] 3,457,467 in South Africa (1996 census). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
Fanagalo
[fng] Several hundred thousand speakers in South Africa (1975 Reinecke). Also spoken in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Alternate names: "Fanakalo", "Fanekolo", "Kitchen Kaffir", "Mine Kaffir", Piki, Isipiki, "Isikula", Lololo, Isilololo, Pidgin Bantu, Basic Zulu, Silunguboi. Dialects: The dialect in Zambia is called 'Cikabanga', that in Zimbabwe is called 'Chilapalapa'. Influenced by Shona in Zimbabwe. About 70% of the vocabulary in Zimbabwe comes from Zulu, 24% from English, 6% from Afrikaans. Influenced by Bemba in Zambia. 70% of the vocabulary comes from Zulu, 24% from English, 6% from Afrikaans. Classification: Pidgin, Zulu based
Gail
[gic] Mainly in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, and Port Elizabeth. Dialects: In Johannesburg it is more English based, in Pretoria more Afrikaans based. Reported to be related to Polari in the United Kingdom. Classification: Unclassified
Hindi
[hin] 890,292 including all Indian languages (1986 USA Today). 2,000,000 speakers of Western Hindi languages in all Africa (1977 Voegelin and Voegelin). Mainly in Natal. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Western Hindi, Hindustani
Kxoe
[xuu] 1,100 in South Africa (2000). Smithsdrift. Alternate names: Khoe, Xun, Water Bushmen, Mbarakwena, Mbarakwengo. Dialects: ||Ani, Kxoedam. Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Tshu-Khwe, Northwest
Nama
[naq] 56,000 in South Africa (1989 UBS). Alternate names: Naman, Namakwa, Namaqua, Dama, Damara, Damaqua, Tama, Tamma, Tamakwa, Khoekhoe, Berdama, Bergdamara, Khoeknoegowap, Khoi, "Hottentot", Rooi Nasie, Kakuya Bushman Nasie, "Klipkaffer", "Klipkaffern". Dialects: Gimsbok Nama. Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Nama
Ndebele
[nbl] 586,961 (1996 census). Transvaal, south and central. Alternate names: Nrebele, Ndzundza, Transvaal Ndebele, Southern Ndebele. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.30), Sotho, Northern
N|u
[ngh] 10 (2003 Crawhall). Ethnic population: 500 (1998 Nigel Crawhall, South African San Institute). 2 at Andriesvale (near Witdraai), 1 at Witdraai, 1 at Philandersbron (near Rietfontein), 2 in Olifantshoek, 3 in Upington townships, 1 in Raaswater (outside Upington). Alternate names: =|Khomani, Ng'uki, Nghuki, N|u||en, Nusan. Dialects: N|u, |'Auni, ||Kxau, ||Ng!ke (Ng||-|e, ||Ng, |Ing|ke). Close to |Xam. Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Southern, !Kwi Nearly extinct.
Oorlams
[oor] Transvaal. Classification: Creole, Afrikaans based
Ronga
[rng] 86,618 in South Africa (2000 WCD). Alternate names: Shironga. Dialects: Konde. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Tswa-Ronga (S.50)
Sotho, Northern
[nso] 3,695,846 in South Africa (1996 census). Population total all countries: 3,709,717. Transvaal, south and central. Also spoken in Botswana. Alternate names: Pedi, Sepedi, Transvaal Sotho. Dialects: Masemola (Masemula, Tau), Kgaga (Kxaxa, Khaga), Koni (Kone), Tswene (Tsweni), Gananwa (Xananwa, Hananwa), Pulana, Phalaborwa (Phalaburwa, Thephalaborwa), Khutswe (Khutswi, Kutswe), Lobedu (Lubedu, Lovedu, Khelobedu), Tlokwa (Tlokoa, Tokwa, Dogwa), Pai, Dzwabo (Thabine-Roka-Nareng), Kopa, Matlala-Moletshi. Dialects Pai, Kutswe, and Pulana are more divergent and sometimes called 'Eastern Sotho'. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.30), Sotho, Northern
Sotho, Southern
[sot] 3,104,197 in South Africa (1996 census). Alternate names: Suto, Suthu, Sesotho, Souto, Sisutho. Dialects: Taung, Phuthi. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.30), Sotho, Southern
South African Sign Language
[sfs] 12,100 deaf persons including 6,000 Black, 2,000 English white, 2,000 Afrikaans white, 1,200 Coloured, 900 Indian; 1986 Gallaudet Univ. Dialects: The North British sign system was used for the deaf in white English-speaking families. In 1881 a school for Afrikaans-speaking families was begun using British Sign Language. Several dialects are used unofficially in different schools. There are 9 sign language systems, 60% related to British or Australian sign languages, few to American Sign Language. Classification: Deaf sign language
Swahili
[swh] 1,000 in South Africa (1987 Schreck and Barrett). Chatsworth, an urban area close to Durban on the Natal coast. Alternate names: Kiswaheli, Suahili, Kisuahili, Arab-Swahili. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.40)
Swati
[ssw] 1,013,193 in South Africa (1996 census). Alternate names: Swazi, Siswazi, Siswati, Tekela, Tekeza, Thithiza, Yeyeza. Dialects: Baca, Hlubi, Phuthi. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.40)
Tsonga
[tso] 1,756,105 in South Africa (1996 census). Population total all countries: 3,275,105. Transvaal. Also spoken in Mozambique, Swaziland, Zimbabwe. Alternate names: Shitsonga, Thonga, Tonga, Shangana, Shangaan. Dialects: Luleke (Xiluleke), Gwamba (Gwapa), Changana, Hlave, Kande, N'walungu (Shingwalungu), Xonga, Jonga (Dzonga), Nkuma, Songa, Nhlanganu (Shihlanganu). 'Tsonga' is used to describe Changana, Tswa, and Ronga, although it is often used interchangeably with Changana, the most prestigious of the three. All are recognized as languages, although they are inherently intelligible. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Tswa-Ronga (S.50)
Tsotsitaal
[fly] It had tens of thousands of primary users; hundreds of thousands of second-language users (1984 Gilbert and Makhudu). In Gauteng province, around Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and other cities. Alternate names: Fly Taal, Flaai Taal. Dialects: Not intelligible to Afrikaans speakers. Uses many Afrikaans, English, and Bantu words, and others of unknown origin. Classification: Creole, Afrikaans based Nearly extinct.
Tswa
[tsc] Alternate names: Shitshwa, Kitshwa, Xitshwa, Sheetshwa, Tshwa. Dialects: Hlengwe (Makawe-Khambana), Tshwa (Dzibi-Dzonga). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Tswa-Ronga (S.50)
Tswana
[tsn] 3,301,774 in South Africa (1996 census). Alternate names: Tsiwaha, Beetjuans, Chuana, Coana, Cuana, Sechuana. Dialects: Tawana, Hurutshe, Ngwaketse, Thlaro, Kwena, Ngwato, Tlokwa, Melete, Kgatla, Thlaping (Tlapi), Rolong. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.30), Tswana
Urdu
[urd] 170,000 South Asian Muslims in South Africa (1987). Along the Natal coast and urban areas around Durban, Transvaal surrounding Johannesburg, and scattered smaller towns. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Western Hindi, Hindustani
Venda
[ven] 876,409 in South Africa (1996 census). Population total all countries: 960,409. Transvaal, north. Also spoken in Zimbabwe. Alternate names: Chivenda. Dialects: Phani, Tavha-Tsindi, Ilafuri, Manda, Guvhu, Mbedzi, Lembetu. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Venda (S.20)
Xhosa
[xho] 7,196,118 in South Africa (1996 census). Population total all countries: 7,214,118. Southwest Cape Province and Transkei. Also spoken in Botswana, Lesotho. Alternate names: Isixhosa, Xosa, Koosa, "Kaffer", "Kaffir", "Caffre", "Cafre", "Cauzuh". Dialects: Gealeka, Ndlambe, Gaika (Ncqika), Thembu, Bomvana, Mpondomse (Mpondomisi), Mpondo, Xesibe, Rhathabe, Bhaca, Cele, Hlubi, Mfengu. 15% of the vocabulary is estimated to be of Khoekhoe (Khoisan) origin. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.40)
Xiri
[xii] 87 (2000 WCD). Alternate names: Khiri, Grikwa, Griqua, Xrikwa, Xirikwa, Gry, Cape Hottentot, Gri. Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Nama Nearly extinct.
Zulu
[zul] 9,200,144 in South Africa (1996 census). Population total all countries: 9,563,422. Zululand and northern Natal. Also spoken in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland. Alternate names: Isizulu, Zunda. Dialects: Lala, Qwabe. Close to Swazi and Xhosa. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.40)
Extinct languages
Korana
[kqz] Extinct. Ethnic population: 10,000 in South Africa (1972 Barrett). Western. Possibly also Botswana. Alternate names: Koranna, !Ora, !Kora, Koraqua, Gorachouqua. Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Nama
Seroa
[kqu] Extinct. Also was in Lesotho. Dialects: !Gã!nge (!Gã!ne), ||Ku||e. Had three dialects. Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Southern, !Kwi
|Xam
[xam] Extinct. Alternate names: |Kham-Ka-!k'e, |Kamka!e, |Xam-Ka-!k'e. Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Southern, !Kwi
||Xegwi
[xeg] Extinct. Near the Swaziland border. Alternate names: ||Xegwe, ||Xekwi, Batwa, Bush-C, Abathwa, Boroa, Tloue, Tloutle, Kloukle, Lxloukxle, Amankgqwigqwi, Nkqeshe, Amabusmana, Gi|kxigwi, Ki||kxigwi. Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Southern, !Kwi
courtesy of Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com/.