The official language of Botswana is English, while Setswana is considered to be a national language. English, which was inherited from colonial rule, is the language of official business and most written communication. Most of the population speak Setswana, but over 20 smaller languages are also spoken. Some of the country's languages are in danger of becoming extinct.

Official and national languages

The official written language of Botswana is English. Most written communication and official business texts are written in English. The language of the Tswana people—Setswana—is the country's national language, and is spoken by most of the population.

Other languages

Aside from English and Setswana, other languages are spoken in the country. Over 90% of the population speak a Bantu language as their first language, according to the CIA's World Factbook. The most common Bantu languages spoken are Setswana (73.3% of the population), Kalanga (17.2%), Kgalagadi (2.4%), Shona (1%) Mbukushu (1.6%) and Ndebele (1%). 1.7% speak Tshwa (a Khoe language) and 0.1% speak !Xóõ, a Tuu language (both non-Bantu). English is spoken by 2.8% as their first language, and a small number speak Afrikaans.

The number of individual languages listed for Botswana is 31.[who said this?] All are living languages. Of these, 26 are indigenous and 5 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 4 are institutional, 9 are developing, 8 are vigorous, 9 are in trouble, and 1 is dying.

Languages spoken at home in Botswana

Source:

Main language200120112022
Setswana79.377.377.5
Kalanga7.97.44.9
English2.12.83.6
Shekgalagari2.83.42.5
Zezuru0.72.01.5
Sesarwa1.91.71.4
Ndebele0.51.00.8
Thimbukushu1.71.60.8
Otjiherero0.71.00.6
Afrikaans0.40.40.3
Chisubia0.40.30.2
Sheyeyi0.30.20.1
Other1.10.91.7
Not Stated0.20.04.1

Languages spoken

The distribution of the three major language families in the Kalahari Basin area
Languages of Botswana
LanguagesPer cent
Setswana77.3%
Sekalanga7.4%
Shekgalagadi3.4%
English2.8%
Sesarwa1.7%
Sembukushu1.6%
Ndebele1.0%
Seherero1.0%
Afrikaans0.4%
Sesubiya0.3%
Seyeyi0.2%
Other Asian0.4%
Other European0.4%
Other African0.1%
Other0.1%
  1. Afrikaans
  2. Ani
  3. Birwa
  4. Chichewa
  5. English
  6. Gana
  7. Gciriku
  8. Gwi
  9. Hai||om
  10. Herero
  11. ‡Hua
  12. Kalanga
  13. Kgalagadi
  14. Khoekhoe
  15. Khwedam
  16. Kua
  17. Kuhane
  18. Kung-Ekoka
  19. Lozi
  20. Mbukushu
  21. Nambya
  22. Naro
  23. Ndebele
  24. Setswana
  25. Shua
  26. Tshuwau
  27. Tswapong
  28. !Xóõ
  29. Yeyi
  30. Zezuru
  31. isiXhosa

Sources

  • Mwakikagile, Godfrey (2009). . Pretoria: New Africa Press. ISBN 9-780-98025-878-3.

Further reading

  • Chebanne, Andy Monthusi (2008). . African Study Monographs. 29 (3). Kyoto University: The Center for African Area Studies: 93–118. doi:.
  • Chabanne, Andy Monthusi (2012). . Botswana Notes and Records. 44. Botswana Society: 81–92. JSTOR .
  • Ramsay, Jeff; Morton, Barry; Morton, Fred (1996). . Lanham: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0810831430.
  • Vossen, Rainer, ed. (2013). . Psychology Press. ISBN 9-780-70071-289-2.

See also

Khoisan languages

External links