Page Type: languageShona | Ethnologue

SNA ISO 639-3

Shona

Chishona Autonym

A language of Zimbabwe

ISO 639
sna
Alternate Names
chiShona, “Swina” (pej.)
Autonym
Chishona
Population
10,660,000 in Zimbabwe, all users. L1 users: 7,160,000 in Zimbabwe (2012). L2 users: 3,500,000 (2019). Total users in all countries: 10,865,590 (as L1: 7,365,590; as L2: 3,500,000).
Location:
Harare, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, and Midlands provinces. Manicaland province, Nyanga district (Hwesa dialect); Mashonaland East, Mudzi and Mutoko districts (Budja dialect).
Language Status
3 (Wider communication). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10)
Dialects
Karanga (Chikaranga), Zezuru (Bazezuru, Bazuzura, Chizezuru, Harava, Hera, Mazizuru, Shawasha, Vazezuru, Wazezuru), Korekore (Goba, Gova, Northern Shona, Shangwe), Hwesa (Chihwesa), Budja. Subdialects: Karanga: Duma, Jena, Mhari (Mari), Ngova, Nyubi, Govera; Korekore: Budya, Gova, Tande, Tavara, Nyongwe, Pfunde, Shan Gwe; Zezuru: Shawasha, Gova, Mbire, Tsunga, Kachikwakwa, Harava, Nohwe, Njanja, Nobvu, Kwazwimba (Zimba); Shona: Toko, Hwesa. Rozvi (Rozwi, Ruzwi, Chirozwi) speak Karanga dialect. Ndau [ndc] and Manyika [mxc] are partially intelligible of Shona.
Typology
SVO; noun head initial; 13 noun classes; no articles; verb affixes mark person, number, object; passives; causatives; 31 consonants, 5 vowels, 2 diphthongs; tonal (2 tones: high, low).
Language Use
Dominant African language understood by a considerable number. Primarily a written language apparently based on Karanga and Zezuru with lexical items also from Manyika and Korekore. Urban populations tend to speak school or standard Shona. Also use English [eng]. Used as L2 by Chichewa [nya], Kalanga [kck], Kunda [kdn], Nambya [nmq], Nsenga [nse], Tonga [toi], Zimbabwe Sign Language [zib].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 86% in English [eng] and Shona [sna]. Taught in primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1949–1980.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Shona
Writing
Braille script [Brai]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.
Other Comments
Traditional religion, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Shona
User Population
11,000 in Australia (2016 census).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Australia
Language Name
Zezuru
User Population
46,300 in Botswana (2020).
Location
Central district: north; North West district: northeast.
Dialects
Karanga.
Language Status
5 (Dispersed)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Botswana
Language Name
Shona
User Population
3,190 in Canada (2016 census).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Canada
Language Name
Shona
User Population
21,400 in United Kingdom (2011 census).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of United Kingdom
Language Name
Shona
User Population
93,000 in Malawi (2021 Joshua Project). , based on ethnicity.
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Migrant laborers.
View other languages of Malawi
Language Name
Shona
User Population
18,000 in South Africa (2012 J. Leclerc).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of South Africa
Language Name
Shona
User Population
12,700 in Zambia (2010 census). Ethnic population: 21,900 (2010 census).
Location
Lusaka province: southeast of the capital; Southern province: Slavonga district; possibly Central province: near Zimbabwe border.
Dialects
Korekore (Budya, Goba, Gova, Gowa, Korikori, Makorekore, Northern Shona, Wakorikori).
Language Status
6b (Threatened)
Other Comments
Korekore is the main dialect in Zambia, with subdialect Goba.
View other languages of Zambia

Map

Location: Harare, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, and Midlands provinces. Manicaland province, Nyanga district (Hwesa dialect); Mashonaland East, Mudzi and Mutoko districts (Budja dialect).