Yao

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A language of Malawi

ISO 639-3
yao
Alternate Names
Achawa, Adsawa, Adsoa, Ajawa, Ayao, Ayawa, Ayo, Chiyao, Djao, Haiao, Hiao, Hyao, Jao, Veiao, Wajao
Population

2,200,000 in Malawi. Population total all countries: 3,116,000.

Location

Southern Region, southeast tip of Lake Malawi area, bordering Mozambique. Also in Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Yao (P.21)
Dialects

Mangoche.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 5%. Literacy rate in L2: 60% Chichewa [nya], 30% Arabic [arb]. Poetry. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1920.
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Yao in Tanzania use a different orthography from Malawi; Mozambique Yao also has some differences. Muslim, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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