Alternate Names: Bakaa, Chikalanga, Ikalanga, Kalana, Kanana, Makalaka, Sekalaña, Tjikalanga, Wakalanga, Western Shona
Dialects: Jawunda, Lemba (Remba), Lembethu (Rembethu), Lilima (Humbe, Limima), Nyai (Abanyai, Banyai, Rozvi, Wanyai), Peri, Pfumbi, Romwe, Talahundra, Twamamba (Xwamamba). Talahundra has no remaining speakers. Peri are an ethnic group of Birwa and Tswapong assimilated into Kalanga and speak the Lilima dialect. Humbe are ethnically different from the Lilima but now share the same language. Reportedly similar to Karanga, Zezuru, and Shangwe dialects of Shona ,.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 700,000 in Zimbabwe (Chebanne and Nthapelelang 2000). Population total all countries: 850,000.
Language Use: Rapidly being absorbed by Ndebele [nde], though most rural members speak Kalanga. Also use Ndebele [nde], Shona [sna].
Language Development: Taught in primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1999.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Zimbabwe