Zulu

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A language of South Africa

ISO 639-3
zul
Alternate Names
Isizulu, Zunda
Population

9,980,000 in South Africa (2006), increasing. Population total all countries: 10,349,100.

Location

KwaZuluNatal and Mpumalanga provinces. Also in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland.

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.406)
Dialects

Lala, Qwabe. Similar to Swazi [ssw] and Xhosa [xho].

Language Use

15,700,000 L2 speakers.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 70%. Taught in primary and secondary schools. Newspapers. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1883–1959.
Writing
Braille script. Latin script, primary usage.
Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

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