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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Africa > Zimbabwe > Shona

Shona

A language of Zimbabwe

ISO 639-3: sna

Population  10,700,000 in Zimbabwe. 4,500,000 Karanga (Chebanne and Nthapelelang 2000), 1,700,000 Korekore (Chebanne and Nthapelelang 2000), 3,200,000 Zezuru (Chebanne and Nthapelelang 2000), 1,300,000 Shona. Population total all countries: 10,759,200.
Region  Mashonaland, central, and widespread throughout the country. Also in Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia.
Language map  Zimbabwe
Alternate names   Chishona, “Swina” , Zezuru
Dialects  Karanga (Chikaranga), Zezuru (Chizezuru, Bazezuru, Bazuzura, Mazizuru, Vazezuru, Wazezuru), Korekore (Northern Shona, Goba, Gova, Shangwe). Subdialects: Karanga: Duma, Jena, Mhari (Mari), Ngova, Nyubi, Govera; Korekore: Budya, Gova, Tande, Tavara, Nyongwe, Pfunde, Shan Gwe; Zezuru: Shawasha, Gova, Mbire, Tsunga, Kachikwakwa, Harava, Nohwe, Njanja, Nobvu, Kwazwimba (Zimba); Shona: Toko, Hwesa. Rozvi (Rozwi, Ruzwi, Chirozwi) speak Karanga dialect and do not have their own language. Ndau [ndc] and Manyika [mxc] are partially intelligible with Shona.
Classification  Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10)
Language use  National language. Shona is the dominant African language of Zimbabwe understood by a considerable number. 1,800,000 speak Shona as L2 or L3 in all countries (Chebanne and Nthapelelang 2000). Primarily a written language apparently based on Karanga and Zezuru with lexical items also from Manyika and Korekore. Urban populations tend to speak school or standard Shona. Also use English.
Language development  Literacy rate in L2: 86% in English and Shona. Taught in primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1949–1980.
Writing system  Latin script.
Comments  SVO. Traditional religion with Christian syncretism, Christian, secular.

Also spoken in:

Botswana

Language name   Zezuru
Population  11,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook).
Language map  Botswana
Alternate names  Shona
Dialects  Karanga.
 

Zambia

Language name   Shona
Population  30,200 in Zambia (2000). Several thousand Shona in Mumbwe.
Region  Mumbwa, Central Province, Gova near Zimbabwe border.
Language map  Zambia, reference number 28
Alternate names  Chishona
Dialects  Korekore (Korikori, Makorekore, Wakorikori, Northern Shona, Goba, Gova, Gowa).
Language use  Home, community.
Comments  Korekore is the main dialect in Zambia, with subdialect Goba.
 

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

GARDNER, William L., author. 2003. "Mutação consonantal nas línguas Shona."