| Population |
1,940,000 in South Africa (2006), increasing. Population total all countries: 3,669,000. |
| Region |
Transvaal. Also in Mozambique, Swaziland, Zimbabwe. |
| Language map |
Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland, reference number 10
|
| Alternate names |
Shangaan, Shangana, Shitsonga, Thonga, Tonga |
| Dialects |
Luleke (Xiluleke), Gwamba (Gwapa), Changana, Hlave, Kande, N’walungu (Shingwalungu), Xonga, Jonga (Dzonga), Nkuma, Songa, Nhlanganu (Shihlanganu). ‘Tsonga’ is used to describe Changana [tso], Tswa [tsc], and Ronga [rng], although often used interchangeably with Changana, the most prestigious of the 3. All are recognized as languages, although they are inherently intelligible. |
| Classification |
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Tswa-Ronga (S.50) |
| Language use |
Official language. |
| Language development |
A language of secondary education. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1907–1989. |
| Writing system |
Latin script. |
| Comments |
Christian, traditional religion. |
| Language name |
Tsonga |
| Population |
1,710,000 in Mozambique (2006). |
| Region |
South of Maputo, most of Maputo and Gaza provinces. |
| Language map |
Mozambique, reference number 38
|
| Alternate names |
Gwamba, Shitsonga, Thonga, Tonga, Xitsonga |
| Dialects |
Bila (Vila), Changana (Xichangana, Changa, Shangaan, Hlanganu, Hanganu, Langanu, Shilanganu, Shangana), Jonga (Djonga, Dzonga), Ngwalungu (Shingwalungu). |
| Comments |
Christian, traditional religion, Muslim. |
| |
