Page Type: languageYao | Ethnologue

YAO ISO 639-3

Yao

Ciyawo Autonym

A language of Malawi

ISO 639
yao
Alternate Names
Achawa, Adsawa, Adsoa, Ajawa, Ayao, Ayawa, Ayo, Chiyao, Chiyawo, Ciyaawo, Ciyao, Djao, Haiao, Hiao, Hyao, Jao, Veiao, Wajao, Yawo, chiYao, ciYao, waYao
Autonym
Ciyawo
Population
2,800,000 in Malawi (2020 World Factbook). , based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 3,728,000.
Location:
Balaka, Machinga, Mangochi, and Zomba districts: bordering Mozambique, between southeast tip of Lake Kilwa and Lake Malawi; Chiradzulu district: small area.
Language Status
5* (Developing).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Yao (P.21)
Dialects
Mangoche.
Language Use
Also use Chichewa [nya]. Also use Standard Arabic [arb].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 5%. Literacy rate in L2: 60% Chichewa [nya], 30% Arabic [arb]. Literature. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 2014.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Yao
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Yao in Tanzania use a different orthography from Malawi; Mozambique Yao also has some differences. Muslim.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Yao
User Population
298,000 in Mozambique (2017).
Location
Cabo Delgado province: Ruvumu river near Negomano; Nampula province: west; Niassa province: south and east of Lake Malawi; Zambezia province: Gurue district, northwest border.
Dialects
Makale (Cimakale), Massaninga (Cimassaninga), Machinga, Mangochi, Tunduru Yao, Chikonono (Cikonono).
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
Muslim, Christian.
View other languages of Mozambique
Language Name
Yao
User Population
630,000 in Tanzania (2016).
Location
Lindi region; Ruvuma region: Tunduru district, east of Lake Malawi; possibly Mtwara region; Mozambique border area.
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Swahili-based orthography different from Malawi and Mozambique. Muslim, Christian.
View other languages of Tanzania
Language Name
Yao
User Population
200 families or more in the 1970s (F. Banda).
Location
Eastern province: Chipata district, Kapata township; Katete district.
Dialects
Makale (Cimakale), Massaninga (Cimassaninga).
Language Status
6b (Threatened)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous. Muslim.
View other languages of Zambia

Map

Location: Balaka, Machinga, Mangochi, and Zomba districts: bordering Mozambique, between southeast tip of Lake Kilwa and Lake Malawi; Chiradzulu district: small area.