Xhosa

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A language of South Africa

ISO 639-3
xho
Alternate Names
“Cauzuh” , Isixhosa, Koosa, Xosa
Population

7,790,000 in South Africa (2006). Population total all countries: 7,817,300.

Location

KwaZuluNatal Province. Also in Botswana, Lesotho.

Language Maps
Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1996, Constitution, Article 6(1)).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.401)
Dialects

15% of the vocabulary estimated to be of Khoekhoe (Khoisan) origin.

Typology

Clicks

Language Use

Also use Zulu [zul], Swati [ssw], or Southern Sotho [sot].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 50%. Literacy rate in L2: 20%–25%. Taught in primary and secondary schools. Magazines. Newspapers. Radio programs. TV. Bible: 1859.
Writing
Braille script. Latin script, primary usage.
Other Comments

Cauzuh is an obsolete name. Somewhat acculturated. Christian, traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

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