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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…
