Languages of Mozambique

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Portuguese is the official and most widely spoken language of Mozambique, because Bantus speak several of their different languages (most widely used of these are Swahili, Makua, Sena, Ndau, and Shangaan — these have many Portuguese-origin words), but 40% of all people speak it — 31%, mostly Bantus, as their second language and only 9%, mostly pure-blooded Portuguese and mestiços, speak it as their first language.

The indigenous languages of Mozambique include Makua, Lomwe, Makonde, Tsonga, Chopi, Chuwabu, Ronga, Zulu, and Tswa.

Arabs, Chinese, and Indians speak their own languages (Indians from Portuguese India speak any of the Portuguese Creoles of their origin) aside from Portuguese as their second language. Most educated Mozambicans speak English, which is used in schools and business as second or third language.

[edit] External links

• Ethnologue Listing of Mozambican Languages
• Tindzimi ta Mozambique (Language and Language Policy in Mozambique)
• PanAfrican L10n page on Mozambique