Kalanga

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A language of Zimbabwe

ISO 639-3
kck
Alternate Names
Bakaa, Chikalanga, Ikalanga, Kalana, Kanana, Makalaka, Sekalaña, Tjikalanga, Wakalanga, Western Shona
Population

700,000 in Zimbabwe (Chebanne and Nthapelelang 2000). Population total all countries: 850,000.

Location

Southwest of Bulawayo and Botswana border area. Most Kalanga are in Zimbabwe; most Lilima in Botswana. Also in Botswana.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.16)
Dialects

Lilima (Humbe, Limima), Nyai (Abanyai, Banyai, Wanyai), Peri, Talahundra. Talahundra has no remaining speakers. Peri are an ethnic group of Birwa and Tswapong assimilated into Kalanga and speak the Lilima dialect. Humbe are ethnically different from the Lilima but now share the same language. Similar to Karanga, Zezuru, and Shangwe dialects of Shona [sna].

Language Use

Rapidly being absorbed by Ndebele [nde], though most rural members speak Kalanga. Most also use Shona [sna] or Ndebele [nde].

Language Development
Taught in primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1999.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kalanga
Writing
Latin script.

Also spoken in:

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