| Population |
6,225,000 in Zimbabwe (1989) including 2,250,000 Karanga (1993 Johnstone), 300,000 Korekore (1993 Johnstone), 1,800,000 Zezuru (1993 Johnstone), 1,262,870 Shona. Population total all countries 7,000,000 (1990 UBS). |
| Region |
Mashonaland, central, and dispersed over many areas of the country. Also spoken in Botswana, Malawi, Zambia. |
| Alternate names |
'SWINA', CHISHONA |
| Dialects |
KARANGA (CHIKARANGA), ZEZURU (CHIZEZURU, BAZEZURU, BAZUZURA, MAZIZURU, VAZEZURU, WAZEZURU), KOREKORE (NORTHERN SHONA, GOBA, GOVA). |
| Classification |
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10). |
| Comments |
Subdialects: Karanga: Duma, Jena, Mhari (Mari), Ngova, Nyubi, Govera; Korekore: Budya, Gova, Tande, Tavara, Nyongwe, Pfunde, Shan Gwe; Zezuru: Shawasha, Gova, Mbire, Tsunga, Kachikwakwa, Harava, Nohwe, Njanja, Nobvu, Kwazwimba (Zimba); Shona: Toko, Hwesa. Rozvi (Rozwi, Ruzwi, Chirozwi) speak Karanga dialect and do not have their own language. Ndau and Manyika are partially intelligible with Shona. Shona is the dominant African language of Zimbabwe and is understood by a considerable number. It is primarily a written language apparently based chiefly on Karanga and Zezuru with lexical items also from Manyika and Korekore. 'Swina' is a derogatory name. Dictionary. Grammar. SVO. Roman. Used in primary education, mother tongue authored literature. Bible 1949-1980. |
