Page Type: languageChichewa | Ethnologue

NYA ISO 639-3

Chichewa

Chicheŵa Autonym

A language of Malawi

ISO 639
nya
Alternate Names
Chewa, Chinyanja, Nyanja, Nyanja-Chewa
Autonym
Chicheŵa
Population
10,500,000 in Malawi (2020 World Factbook). , based on ethnicity. 7,271,000 Chewa, 2,200,000 Ngoni, 678,000 Manganja, and 382,000 Nyanja (2020 World Factbook). Total users in all countries: 14,380,700.
Location:
West central and southwest.
Language Status
3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity.
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Chewa-Nyanja (N.31)
Dialects
Chewa (Cheva, Chichewa, Sheva), Ngoni, Manganja (Cimanganja, Waganga), Nyasa, Peta (Cipeta, Malawi, Marave, Maravi). Manganja is also a Chewa-influenced dialect of Sena [swk].
Typology
SVO.
Language Use
Most Ngoni in Malawi speak the Chewa dialect or Tumbuka [tum]. Used as L2 by Kokola [kzn], Malawi Lomwe [lon], Malawian Sign Language [lws], Yao [yao].
Language Development
Taught in primary schools. Newspapers. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1905–1998.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Chichewa
Writing
Braille script [Brai]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.
Other Comments
Traditional religion, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Chichewa
Language Status
4 (Educational)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Botswana
Language Name
Nyanja
User Population
1,290,000 in Mozambique (2017).
Location
Niassa, Tete, and Zambezia provinces. Macanga district, Tete (Angoni and Chewa dialects); Niassa province: Lago and Sanga (Ngoni dialect); Niassa and Tete, along Lake Niassa (Nyanja dialect).
Dialects
Chewa (Cewa, Chichewa, Cicewa), Ngoni (Cingoni), Nyanja (Cinyanja), Angoni, Nyasa (Nyasa-Cewa).
Language Status
5 (Dispersed)
Other Comments
Ngoni people in Angonia District of Tete Province in western Mozambique have shifted to Nyanja. Traditional religion, Christian.
View other languages of Mozambique
Language Name
Chichewa
User Population
5,700 in Eswatini (2019).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Eswatini
Language Name
Chichewa
User Population
2,180,000 in Zambia (2010 census). 500,000 Chewa, 40,000 Kunda 1,640,000 Nyanja (2010 census). Ethnic population: 1,060,000 (2010 census). 930,000 Chewa, 83,500 Kunda, 50,800 Nyanja (2010 census).
Location
Central and Eastern provinces.
Dialects
Chewa (Cewa), Peta (Chipeta, Cipeta, Malawi, Marave, Maravi), Chingoni (Ngoni), Manganja (Waganga), Nyasa, Kunda.
Language Status
4 (Educational)
Other Comments
Kunda dialect is distinct from Kunda [kdn] of Mozambique.
View other languages of Zambia
Language Name
Chichewa
User Population
405,000 in Zimbabwe (2012).
Location
Mashonaland Central province; possible communities in Harare and other urban areas.
Language Status
6a (Vigorous)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Zimbabwe

Map

Location: West central and southwest.