Tonga | Ethnologue

A language of Zambia

ISO 639: toi
Alternate Names: Batonga, Plateau Tonga, Zambezi, iciTonga
Autonym: Chitonga
Population: 1,330,000 in Zambia (2010 census), increasing. 55,600 Toka-Leya, 1,270,000 Tonga (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 1,530,000.
Location:: Southern province: with Ila [ilb] language users; Western province: Sesheke district; small Lusaka border areas.
Language Status: 2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in Southern and Western provinces.
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Lenje-Tonga (M.64)
Dialects: Chitonga, Leya, Toka (Southern Tonga), We (Valley Tonga), Shanjo (Sanjo), Twa of Kafwe (Kafue Twa), Mala.
Language Use: Recognized for educational and administrative purposes. Home, community, market, administration. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Used as L2 by Lenje [leh].
Language Development: Taught in primary and secondary schools. Literature. Newspapers. Radio. TV. Grammar. Bible: 1963–1996.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Tonga
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Different from Tonga [tog] of Malawi, Tonga [toh] of Mozambique, or Tsonga (Tonga) [tso] of Mozambique.

Zimbabwe

Location: Mashonaland Central: Mount Darwin district; Mashonaland West province: Kariba district; Matabeleland North province: Binga district; Midlands province: Gokwe North and Gokwe South districts. South shore of Lake Kariba and inland.
Dialects: Chitonga, Leya, Toka, We.
Language Status: 4 (Educational)
Other Comments: Different from Tonga [tog] of Malawi, Tonga [toh] of Mozambique, or Tsonga (Tonga) [tso] of Mozambique.

Location: Southern province: with Ila [ilb] language users; Western province: Sesheke district; small Lusaka border areas.