Xhosa
A language of South Africa
| Population | 7,790,000 in South Africa (2006). Population total all countries: 7,817,300. |
| Region | Southwest Cape Province and Transkei. Also in Botswana, Lesotho. |
| Language map |
Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland, reference number 13 |
| Alternate names | “Cauzuh” , Isixhosa, Koosa, Xosa |
| Dialects | 15% of the vocabulary is estimated to be of Khoekhoe (Khoisan) origin. |
| Classification | Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.40) |
| Language use | Official language. Also use Zulu [zul], Swati [ssw], or Southern Sotho [sot]. |
| Language development | Literacy rate in L1: 50%. Literacy rate in L2: 20%–25%. Taught in primary and secondary schools. Magazines. Newspapers. Radio programs. TV. Bible: 1859. |
| Writing system | Latin script. |
| Comments | “Cauzuh” is an obsolete name. Somewhat acculturated. Clicks. Agriculturalists; miners; industrial workers. Christian, traditional religion. |
Also spoken in:
Lesotho
| Language name | Xhosa |
| Population | 18,000 in Lesotho (Johnstone 1993). |
| Region | Sebapala Valley, villages near Tosing; Tele Valley, Sinxondo. |
| Language map |
Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland, reference number 13 |
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Ethnologue: Print |
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