Tsonga language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tsonga |
|
|---|---|
| Changana Xitsonga |
|
| Native to | Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe |
| Region | Limpopo, Mpumalanga |
| Native speakers | 3.7 million (2006) |
| Language family |
Niger–Congo
|
| Official status | |
| Official language in |  South Africa |
| Guthrie code | S.53 (S.52) |
| Linguasphere | 99-AUT-dc incl. varieties 99-AUT-dca... -dcg |
Tsonga is a language that comes from the Bantu family. People mainly speak it in South Africa and Mozambique. You might also hear it called Changana or Xangana. It's a vibrant language with a rich history!
Contents
All About the Tsonga Language
Tsonga is part of a huge group of languages called Bantu languages. These languages are spoken across a large part of Africa. Tsonga is known for its unique sounds and grammar. It helps connect many communities in Southern Africa.
Where is Tsonga Spoken?
Most Tsonga speakers live in South Africa and Mozambique. In South Africa, you'll find many speakers in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. It is one of the 11 official languages of South Africa. In Mozambique, Tsonga is also widely spoken. You can also find Tsonga speakers in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Zimbabwe.
How Many People Speak Tsonga?
As of 2006, about 3.7 million people speak Tsonga. This number includes people who speak different versions, or dialects, of the language. It's a living language that continues to be used every day by millions.
What Does Tsonga Sound Like?
Like many Bantu languages, Tsonga uses tones. This means the meaning of a word can change depending on the pitch of your voice. It also has some special sounds that might be new to you. The images below show some examples of Tsonga words and how they are pronounced.
A Prayer in Tsonga
Here is a famous prayer, the Lord's Prayer, written in Tsonga. It gives you a good idea of how the language looks and sounds when written down.
- Tata wa hina la nge matilweni,
- vito ra wena a ri hlawuleke;
- a ku te ku fuma ka wena;
- ku rhandza ka wena a ku endliwe misaveni,
- tanihi loko ku endliwa tilweni.
- U hi nyika namuntlha vuswa bya hina bya siku rin'wana ni rin'wana;
- u hi rivalela swidyoho swa hina,
- tanihi loko na hina hi rivalela lava hi dyohelaka;
- u nga hi yisi emiringweni,
- kambe u hi ponisa eka Lowo biha,
- Amen.
Images for kids
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[ʃiːlɔ]
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[ʂiːlɔ]
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[ʃikʼɔːlɔ]
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[ʂikʼɔːlɔ]
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[ʃikʷʼɛmbu]
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[ʂikʷʼɛmbu]
See also
In Spanish: Idioma tsonga para niños
