Zinza

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A language of Tanzania

ISO 639-3
zin
Alternate Names
Dzinda, Dzindza, Echidzindza, Echijinja, Ecizinza, Jinja, Kizinza, Omuchizinza, Zinja
Population

138,000 (1987), decreasing.

Location

Lake Victoria southwest shore; area islands.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, J, Haya-Jita (E.23)
Dialects

Kula, Longo. Lexical similarity: 81% with Nyambo [now] and Nyankore [nyn], 78% with Haya [hay], 76% with Kerewe [ked], 75% with Chiga [cgg], 67% with Nyoro [nyo] and Tooro [ttj].

Language Use

Vital language where Zinza are the majority. In other areas possible shift to Sukuma [suk]. Home. All ages. Positive attitudes. Most also use Swahili [swh]; some also use Sukuma [suk].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 5%. Poetry. Bible portions: 1930–2012.
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.