Hausa language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hausa |
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| Harshen/Halshen Hausa, هَرْشَن هَوْسَ | ||||
| Native to | Niger and Nigeria | |||
| Region | West Africa | |||
| Ethnicity | Hausa | |||
| Native speakers | 80 million (2015–2016)e21 20 million as a second language (no date) |
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| Language family | ||||
| Writing system | Latin (Boko alphabet) Arabic (Ajami) Hausa Braille |
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| Official status | ||||
| Official language in |  Niger (national status) Nigeria (national status) Ghana (national status) |
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| Linguasphere | 19-HAA-b | |||
Areas of Niger and Nigeria where Hausa people are based
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Hausa (Harshen/Halshen Hausa) is a very important language spoken mainly in West Africa. It belongs to a group of languages called Chadic. Hausa was first spoken in southern Niger and northern Nigeria. Today, many millions of people use it every day, not just in those countries but across West Africa. It's the most widely spoken language in the Chadic family.
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About the Hausa Language
Hausa is a language that has been around for a long time. It's known for its unique sounds and grammar. People who speak Hausa often use it for trade, communication, and sharing stories and culture.
Where is Hausa Spoken?
Hausa is mostly spoken in Niger and Nigeria. These two countries are home to the largest number of Hausa speakers. However, you can also find Hausa speakers in many other countries in West Africa, like Ghana, Cameroon, Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo, Sudan, and Ivory Coast. It's a language that connects many different communities across the region.
How Many People Speak Hausa?
Hausa is a very popular language! Around 47 million people speak Hausa as their first language. This means it's the language they grew up learning at home. On top of that, about 20 million more people speak Hausa as a second language. This shows how important and useful Hausa is for communication in West Africa.
Hausa Writing Systems
Hausa can be written in a couple of ways. The most common way today is using the Latin script, which is similar to the English alphabet. This is called the Boko alphabet.
Another way Hausa has been written for centuries is using the Arabic alphabet. This style is known as Ajami. It's often used for religious texts and traditional writings. There's even a special version of Hausa Braille for people who are blind.
Images for kids
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The linguistic groups of Nigeria in 1979
See also
- In Spanish: Idioma hausa para niños
