Xhosa

XHO

national

Alternate Names: “Cauzuh” (pej.), Isixhosa, Koosa, Xosa

Dialects: Bomwana, Gaika, Gcaleka, Mpondo (Pondo), Mpondomise, Ndlambe, Thembu, Xesibe. 15% of the vocabulary estimated to be of Khoekhoe (Khoisan) origin.

Genealogy:

Niger-Congo
Atlantic-Congo
Volta-Congo
Benue-Congo
Bantoid
Southern
Narrow Bantu
Central
S
Nguni (S.41)

Demographics: 8,150,000 in South Africa (2011 census). Population total all countries: 8,177,300. L2 users: 11,000,000 in South Africa.

Language Use: Also use Southern Sotho [sot], Swati [ssw], Zulu [zul].

Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 50%. Literacy rate in L2: 20%–25%. Taught in primary and secondary schools. Magazines. Newspapers. Radio programs. TV. Bible: 1859.

Typology: Clicks.

Spoken In: South Africa

Writing System: Braille, Latin

Nation of Origin: South Africa

Other Comments: Cauzuh is an obsolete name. Somewhat acculturated. Christian, traditional religion.