Languages of Botswana

[afr] 20,000 in Botswana (2006). Ghanzi District L1 mainly in commercial farms and Ghanzi village; south Kgalagadi District, especially near South Africa border; Kweneng District in Takatokwane. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian 
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[hnh] 1,000 (Brenzinger 1997). Northwest District, Khwai River, Mababe; near Khwe [xuu]. Alternate names: |Anda, Handá, Handa-Khwe, Handádam, Handakwe-Dam, Ts’exa, Ts’éxa.  Dialects: Related to Khwe.  Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Tshu-Khwe, Northwest 
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[brl] 15,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook). Central District, Bobonong Subdistrict; east of Selebi-Phikwe in Bobonong, Kobojango, Semolale, Motalatau, and Mathathane. Also in South Africa. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.30), Sotho 
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[eng] 4,000 in Botswana (2006).  Alternate names: Sekgoa.  Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English 
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[gnk] 2,000 (2004 R. Cook). Ghanzi District, New Xadi and Ghanzi, Ghanzi commercial farms, Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Central District, Boteti Subdistrict, cattleposts south and west of Rakops; east of Naro, north of |Gwi. Alternate names: Dxana, G||ana, G||ana-Khwe, Gxana, Gxanna, Kanakhoe.  Dialects: Domkhoe, G||aakhwe (G||aa), G||anakhwe (Kanakhoe), |Khessákhoe.  Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Tshu-Khwe, Northwest 
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[diu] 2,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook).  Alternate names: Diriko, Diriku, Mbogedo, Mbogedu, Rugciriku, Shimbogedu.  Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Diriku (K.70) 
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[gwj] 2,500 (2004 R. Cook). Kweneng District in Dutlwe, Serinane, Takotokwane, Kautwane, Khekhenye, Letihakeng, Morwamosu, and Tsetseng; Ghanzi District in New Xade, East Hanahai, and Kacgae. Alternate names: Dcui, Gcwi, G|wi, G|wikhwe, G!wikwe.  Dialects: Khute.  Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Tshu-Khwe, Southwest 
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[her] 31,000 in Botswana (2006). Scattered in groups among ethnic groups: Northwest District, Maun, Gomare, Sehitwa, Makakung, Nokaneng, Shakawe, Nxaunxau, and western cattleposts; Central District, Mahalapye, Toromoja, Rakops, Mokoboxane, Letlhakane; Ghanzi District, Charles Hill, Ghanzi, Makunda, Dryhoek, New Kanagas, Dekar; Kgalagadi District in Tsabong, Omaweneno, Werd; Kgatleng District, Morwa. Alternate names: Ochiherero, Otjiherero.  Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Herero (R.30) 
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[huc] 200 (2004 R. Cook), decreasing. Southern Kalahari Desert, Kweneng District; Central District, southwest Mahalapye Subdistrict, Sasi. Alternate names: ‡Hoa, ‡Hoã, ‡Hoan, ‡Hua-Owani, |Hû, |Hua.  Dialects: ‡Hua, Sasi. Related to !Xóõ [nmn].  Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Southern, Hua 
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[ktz] 5,000 in Botswana (2002). Population total all countries: 33,600. Northwest District, Namibia and Angola borders, north of ‡Kx’au||’ein. Also in Namibia. Alternate names: !Xo, Dobe Kung, Dzu’oasi, Ju’oasi, Kung, Kung-Tsumkwe, Tsumkwe, Xaixai, Xû, Xun, Zhu’oasi.  Dialects: Dzu’oasi (Ssu Ghassi, Zhu’oase), Nogau (Agau). May be intelligible with ‡Kx’au||’ein [aue].  Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Northern 
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[kck] 150,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook). Entire Northeast District; eastern third of Central District. Lilima mainly in Botswana, Kalanga mainly in Zimbabwe. Alternate names: Chikalanga, Ikalanga, Kalaka, Sekalaka, Sekalaña, Tjikalanga.  Dialects: Nyai (Nyayi), Ikalanga, Talahundra, Lilima (Humbe), Peri.  Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10) 
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[xkv] 40,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook). Population total all countries: 40,100. 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. Alternate names: Kgalagarhi, Kgalagari, Khalagari, Khalakadi, Kxhalaxadi, Qhalaxarzi, Shekgalagadi, Shekgalagari.  Dialects: Ngologa, Shaga, Kgalagadi (Kgalagari), Balaongwe (Boloongwe), Shelala, Pedi, Phaleng, Kenyi (Khena), Kgwatheng, Tjhauba, Khakhae, Koma, Rhiti, Siwane (Gyegwana). Ngologa is the largest dialect and may be a separate language. Different from Tswana [tsn].  Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.30), Kgalagadi 
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[xuu] 1,800 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook). Northwest District, Gan, Cadikarauwe, Mohembo, Shakawe, Kaputura, |Ao-Kyao, Sikondomboro, Ngarange, Sekanduko, Xongoa, Cauwe, Moxatce, Dungu, Seronga, Beyetca, Gudigoa, Sicokora, Geixa, ||Qom-ca, Tobere, ‡Umbexa, Djaxo, and Kangwara. Alternate names: Khoe, Kxoe, “Mbarakwena” , “Water Bushmen” , Xun.  Dialects: Buga-Kxoe (Boga, Buga-Khwe, Bukakhwe, “River Bushman” , ||Anikxoe, ||Ani-Khoe, Tannekwe, Gani-Khwe).  Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Tshu-Khwe, Northwest 
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[tyu] 820 (2004 R. Cook). Central District, especially Mahalapye, Serowe subdistricts; Northeast District. Primarily cattleposts and settlements. Alternate names: Cua, Tyhua, Tyua.  Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Tshu-Khwe, Northeast 
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[sbs] 3,000 in Botswana (2006). Northwest District, Chobe Subdistrict. Alternate names: Chikuhane, Echisubia, Kuahane, Kwahane, Sesubea, Subia, Subiya, Supia.  Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Subia (K.50) 
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[aue] 3,000 in Botswana (2006). Ghanzi District in Grootelaagte, Kanagas, Ghanzi, and commercial farms. Alternate names: ‡Kx’au||’ei, ||Au||ei, ||X’au||’e, Auen, Kaukau, Koko, Kung-Gobabis.  Dialects: Nogau.  Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Northern 
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[loz] 14,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook).  Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.30) 
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[mhw] 20,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook). Northwest District, north of Gomare within 30 km of Okavango River. Alternate names: Gova, Kusso, Mambukush, Mampukush, Mbukuhu, Mbukushi, Thimbukushu.  Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Kwangwa (K.40) 
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[naq] 200 in Botswana (2006). Kgalagadi District, Tsabong, Makopong, Omaweneno, Tshane; Ghanzi District, villages along Ghanzi-Mamuno road. Alternate names: Berdama, Bergdamara, Dama, Damaqua, Damara, “Hottentot” , Kakuya Bushman Nasie, Khoekhoegowab, “Kupkaferrn” , “Kupkaffer” , Namakwa, Naman, Namaqua, Rooi Nasie, Tama, Tamakwa, Tamma.  Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Nama 
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[nmq] 15,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook).  Alternate names: Chinambya, Nambzya, Nanzva.  Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10) 
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[nhr] 10,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook). Population total all countries: 14,000. Ghanzi District, Ghanzi, Bere, Dekar, East Hanahai, West Hanahai, Kuke, New Kanagas, Tshobokwane, Makunda, Grootelaagte, Karakobis, Kanagas, Charles Hill, and commercial farms. Also in Namibia. Alternate names: ||Ai||e, ||Ai||en, ||Aikwe, ||Aisan, |Aikwe, Nharo, Nharon, Nhauru, Nhaurun.  Dialects: |Amkwe, |Anekwe, G!inkwe, !Gingkwe, G!okwe, Qabekhoe (Qabekho, !Kabbakwe), Ts’aokhoe (Tsaukwe, Tsaokhwe), Tserekwe, Tsorokwe, N|hai-Ntse’e (N||hai, Ts’ao).  Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Tshu-Khwe, Southwest 
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[nde] 17,000 in Botswana (2006). Northeast District, a few villages. Alternate names: Isinde’bele, Northern Ndebele, Sindebele, Tabele, Tebele.  Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.40) 
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[shg] 6,000 (2004 R. Cook). 100 Danisi (Voegelin and Voegelin 1977). Central District, Tutume Subdistrict, Nata, Gweta; Boteti Subdistrict, Motopi, Popipi, Mokoboxane, Mmatshumu, Letlhakane. Alternate names: Mashuakwe, Shua-Khwe, Tshumakwe.  Dialects: Shua-Khwe (Mashuakwe), N|oo-Khwe (N|oo, N||ookhwe), |Oree-Khwe (|Oree, |Koree-Khoe), ||’Aiye (|Aaye), |Xaise (|Haise, |Taise, |Hais, |Ais), Tshidi-Khwe (Tsh’iti, Tcaiti, Sili, Shete Tsere), Danisi (Danisis, Danisa, Demisa, Madenasse, Madenassa, Madinnisane), Cara, Deti, Ganádi.  Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Tshu-Khwe, North Central 
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[hio] 3,000 in Botswana (2006). Population total all countries: 6,540. Central District, especially Mahalapye, Serowe subdistricts; Northeast District. Primarily cattleposts and settlements. Also in Zimbabwe. Alternate names: Chuwau, Chware, G||abake, Gabake-Ntshori, Haitshuari, Hietshware, Hiochuwau, Hiotshuwau, Kwe, Kwe-Etshori Kwee, Kwe-Tshori, Masarwa, Sarwa, Sesarwa, Tati, Tati Bushman, Tshuwau, Tshwa.  Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Tshu-Khwe, Northeast 
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[tsn] 1,070,000 in Botswana (Johnstone 1993). Population total all countries: 4,521,700. Widespread as lingua franca; Southeast and Kgatleng districts; east Southern and Kweneng districts, Central District, Serowe-Palapye and Mahalapye subdistricts; Northwest District Maun village area. Also in Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe. Alternate names: Beetjuans, Chuana, Coana, Cuana, Sechuana, Setswana.  Dialects: Tlahaping (Tlapi), Rolong, Kwena, Kgatla, Ngwatu (Ngwato), Tawana, Lete, Ngwaketse, Tlokwa, Sehurutshe. Southern Sotho [sot], Northern Sotho [nso], and Tswana largely inherently intelligible but have generally been considered separate languages. Standard Tswana is based on the Sehurutshe dialect and is nearly identical to it.  Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.30), Tswana 
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[two] 2,000 (Andersson and Janson 1997). Central District, Mahalapye Subdistrict; all villages east of Mahalapye. Alternate names: Setswapong.  Dialects: Some similarities to Northern Sotho [nso] and some to Tswana [tsn], but it is not clearly a dialect of either. Some intelligibility to northern dialect speakers of Tswana (Sengwato and Setawana), and to speakers of a northwestern dialect of Northern Sotho. Some Birwa [brl] and Tswapong [two] say their varieties are more similar to one another than to Tswana or Northern Sotho.  Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.30) 
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[nmn] 4,000 in Botswana (2002). Population total all countries: 4,200. South Gantsi District, north Kgalagadi District, west Southern and Kweneng districts. Also in Namibia. Alternate names: Ng|amani, Tsasi.  Dialects: Auni (|Auni, |Auo), Kakia (Masarwa), Ki|hazi, Ng|u||en (Nu||en, |U||en, Ng|u|ei, |Nu||en, ||U||en), Nusan (Ng|usan, Nu-San, Noosan), Xatia (Katia, Kattea, Khatia, Vaalpens, |Kusi, |Eikusi), !Kwi.  Classification: Khoisan, Southern Africa, Southern, Hua 
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[yey] 20,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook). Population total all countries: 24,000. Ethnic population: 47,000 in Botswana. North West District, Maun, Shorobe up to Mababe, Sankoyo, Daunara, Nokaneng, Gumare, Sepopo, Ikoga, Shakawe, and Seronga; Central District, Letihakane, Xumu, Rakops, Motopi. Also in Namibia. Alternate names: Ciyei, Koba, Kuba, Shiyeyi, Yeei, Yei.  Dialects: Shirwanga. Not closely related to other languages. Lexical similarity: 47% with Luyana [lyn], 30% with Herero [her].  Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Yeye (R.40) 
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[sna] 11,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook).  Alternate names: Shona.  Dialects: Karanga.  Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10) 
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