Kgalagadi

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A language of Botswana

ISO 639-3
xkv
Alternate Names
Kgalagarhi, Kgalagari, Khalagari, Khalakadi, Kxhalaxadi, Qhalaxarzi, Shekgalagadi, Shekgalagari
Population

40,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook). Population total all countries: 40,100.

Location

South and central, along South Africa border, north Kgalagadi District, west Kweneng and Southern districts; Ghanzi District, Ghanzi, Kanagas, Tsotsha, Kuke, Karakobis, Ncojane, Kule, Charles Hill, New Xade, Dekar, and Grootlaagte; Northwest District, Sehitwa and Maun. Also in Namibia.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.31)
Dialects

Balaongwe (Boloongwe), Kenyi (Khena), Kgalagadi (Kgalagari), Kgwatheng, Khakhae, Koma, Ngologa, Pedi, Phaleng, Rhiti, Shaga, Shelala, Siwane (Gyegwana), Tjhauba. Ngologa is the largest dialect and may be a separate language. Different from Tswana [tsn].

Typology

SVO; genitives, articles, adjectives, numerals, relatives after noun heads; question word final; word order distinguishes subject, object, indirect object; verb affixes mark person and number; passives formed by suffix -w; causatives formed by suffix -is; comparative locatives; CV; tonal

Language Use

Also use Tswana [tsn], English [eng], or Afrikaans [afr].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: Ages 15–29, 85% Tswana, 55% English; ages 30–54, 50% Tswana, 15% English; ages 55 and older, 20% Tswana, 2% English. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kgalagadi
Other Comments

Christian.