Tonga
PrintA language of Zambia
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Chitonga, Plateau Tonga, Zambezi
Population
990,000 in Zambia (2006), increasing. 427,000 Tonga, 12,000 Toka, 7,900 Leya. Population total all countries: 1,127,000.
Location
Southern and Western provinces. With Ila [ilb] it predominates the south. Also in Zimbabwe.
Language Status
2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in Southern and Western provinces.
Classification
Dialects
Chitonga, Leya, Mala, Shanjo (Sanjo), Toka (Southern Tonga), Twa of Kafwe, We (Valley Tonga). Related to Ila [ilb].
Language Use
Recognized for educational and administrative purposes. Home, community, market, administration. All ages. Positive attitudes.
Language Development
Taught in primary and secondary schools. Newspapers. Radio programs. TV. Bible: 1963–1996.
Writing
Latin script.
Different from Tonga [tog] of Malawi, Tonga [toh] of Mozambique, or Tsonga (Tonga) [tso] of Mozambique.