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The Tswa language
The Tswa language, also known as Xitswa, is a South-Eastern Bantu language spoken primarily in Southern Mozambique, with a few speakers in southern Zimbabwe. Tswa is part of the Tswa–Ronga language family, which also includes closely related languages like Ronga and Tsonga. These languages share common linguistic roots and features, making them mutually intelligible to some extent, though Tswa remains distinct in its own right. Tswa is predominantly spoken in rural areas to the west of Inhambane, a region in Mozambique. The language has several dialects, including Hlengwe, Dzibi (Dzivi), and Dzonga. Hlengwe, which is the largest dialect, extends its reach into southern Zimbabwe, and some linguists, such as Maho…
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The Tswa–Ronga languages
The Tswa–Ronga languages, also known collectively as Tsonga, are a group of closely related Southern Bantu languages spoken primarily in southern Mozambique, northeastern South Africa, and southeastern Zimbabwe. These languages are part of the larger Bantu family, which falls under the Niger-Congo language classification. The Tswa–Ronga languages share many similarities, but they are distinct enough to be considered separate languages with different dialects and variations. The Tswa–Ronga language group is divided into three main languages: Tswa, Ronga, and Tsonga. Tswa (also known as Xitswa) includes dialects such as Hlengwe, Khambana, and Tshwa. These dialects are largely intelligible with each other and with Ronga and Tsonga, though they are considered separate…
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Moniga language
Moniga, also known as Makhuwa-Moniga, is a Bantu language spoken primarily by the Makua people in the northern regions of Mozambique. It is part of the larger Niger-Congo language family, which is one of the world’s largest and most diverse language families. Specifically, Moniga falls within the Atlantic-Congo branch, under the Volta-Congo and Bantoid subgroups, making it part of the Southern Bantu languages. The Moniga language is closely related to Cuabo, another language spoken in the same region. Although the two languages share similarities, they are distinct and not mutually intelligible. This highlights the linguistic diversity found within the Bantu language group, which spans across a large portion of sub-Saharan…
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Chuwabo language
Chuwabo, also known as Cuabo or Txuwabo, is a Bantu language spoken primarily along the central coast of Mozambique. It is a member of the Southern Bantu language group, part of the larger Niger-Congo language family. The language is predominantly spoken by around 1 million people as of the 2017 census, and it serves as an important means of communication for the coastal communities in the regions where it is spoken. Chuwabo is part of the Makhuwa language cluster, which includes several related languages and dialects spoken in Mozambique. The language has various dialects, such as Central Chuwabo, Nyaringa, Marale, Karungu, and Maindo. Although Maindo is sometimes considered a separate…
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The Lomwe language
The Koti language, also known as Ekoti, is a Bantu language spoken in Mozambique by around 100,000 people. It is predominantly spoken in the coastal areas surrounding Koti Island and the nearby city of Angoche, which serves as the capital of the Angoche district in Nampula Province. Koti is a member of the Southern Bantu subgroup, specifically within the Makhuwa language group, and is often considered part of the larger Bantu family of languages. One of the distinctive features of the Koti language is its historical contact with Swahili, which has significantly influenced its vocabulary. This influence is believed to be the result of interactions with traders from the Swahili-speaking…
