Tswa | Ethnologue

A language of Mozambique

ISO 639: tsc
Alternate Names: Kitshwa, Sheetshwa, Shitshwa, Tshwa, Xitshwa
Autonym: Xitswa
Population: 1,000,000 in Mozambique (2017). Total users in all countries: 1,020,000.
Location:: Gaza province: border area; Inhambane province: south of Save river.
Language Status: 5* (Developing).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Tswa-Rhonga (S.51)
Dialects: Hlengwe (Khambana-Makwakwe, Khambani, Lengwe, Lhengwe, Makwakwe-Khambana, Shilengwe), Tshwa (Dzibi-Dzonga, Dzivi, Dzonga-Dzibi, Xidzivi), Mandla, Ndxhonge, Nhayi. Partially intelligible of Ronga [rng] and Tsonga [tso].
Language Use: Used as L2 by Chopi [cce].
Language Development: Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1910–1955.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Tswa
Writing: Latin script [Latn].

South Africa

Location: Limpopo province: near South Africa-Zimbabwe-Mozambique shared border.
Dialects: Hlengwe (Makawe-Khambana), Tshwa (Dzibi-Dzonga).
Language Status: 5 (Developing)
Other Comments: Non-indigenous.

Zimbabwe

Location: Manicaland province: southern area; Masvingo province; Matabeleland South province: Beitbridge; Midlands province: Mberengwa.
Dialects: Hlengwe (Makakwe-Khambana), Tshwa (Dzibi-Dzonga).
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous)

Location: Gaza province: border area; Inhambane province: south of Save river.