SSW ISO 639-3
Swati
siSwati Autonym
A language of Eswatini
- ISO 639
- ssw
- Alternate Names
- Isiswazi, Ngwane, Phuthi, Swazi, Tekela, Tekeza
- Autonym
- siSwati
- Population
- 960,000 in Eswatini (2019). Total users in all countries: 4,714,500 (as L1: 2,314,500; as L2: 2,400,000).
- Language Status
- 1 (National). Statutory national language (2005, Constitution, Article 3(2)).
- Classification
- Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.43)
- Dialects
- Baca, Hlubi, Phuthi (Sephuthi).
- Language Development
- Literacy rate in L1: High. Taught in all national schools. Newspapers. Radio. TV. Grammar. Bible: 1996.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Swati
- Writing
- Latin script [Latn].
- Other Comments
- Glossonym: Siswati in Swati, Swazi in Zulu [zul]. Highly educated. Christian, traditional religion.
Also Spoken in
- Location
- Mohale’s Hoek, Qacha’s Nek, Quthing, and Thaba-Tseka districts.
- Language Status
- 5 (Dispersed)
- Other Comments
- Non-indigenous. View other languages of Lesotho
Language Name
Phuthi
User Population
52,000 in Lesotho (Leclerc 2017f).
- Location
- Maputo province: border area west of the capital.
- Language Status
- 5 (Dispersed) View other languages of Mozambique
Language Name
Swati
User Population
2,500 in Mozambique (2017).
- Location
- KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces.
- Dialects
- Baca, Hlubi, Phuthi (Sephuthi).
- Language Status
- 1 (National)
- Other Comments
- Christian, traditional religion. View other languages of South Africa
Language Name
Swati
User Population
3,700,000 in South Africa, all users. L1 users: 1,300,000 in South Africa (2013 UNSD). L2 users: 2,400,000 (Webb 2002).
Map
Size and Vitality
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