Venda | Ethnologue

A language of South Africa

ISO 639: ven
Alternate Names: Chivenda, Luvenda
Autonym: Tshivenḓa‎ (Tshivenda)
Population: 2,910,000 in South Africa, all users. L1 users: 1,210,000 in South Africa (2013 UNSD), increasing. L2 users: 1,700,000 (Webb 2002). Total users in all countries: 3,001,400 (as L1: 1,301,400; as L2: 1,700,000).
Location:: Limpopo province.
Language Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1996, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Statutory provincial language in Limpopo province (2012, Use of Official Languages Act, No. 12, Section 4(1)).
Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Venda (S.21)
Dialects: Phani, Tavha-Tsindi, Ilafuri (West Venda), Manda (Central Venda), Guvhu, Mbedzi (East Venda), Lembetu, Ronga (Southeast Venda).
Language Use: The Lembaa are a Venda-speaking Jewish people claiming Falasha descent.
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: Fairly low. Radio. Bible: 1936.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Venda
Writing: Braille script [Brai]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.
Other Comments: Traditional religion, Christian, Jewish.

Zimbabwe

Location: Matabeleland South province: Beitbridge, Bulilimamangwe, and Gwanda districts; Midlands province: Mberengwa district.
Dialects: Phani, Tavhatsindi.
Language Status: 4 (Educational)
Other Comments: Traditional religion, Christian.

Location: Limpopo province.