South Africa
The Languages spoken in South Africa
South Africa recognizes 9 non-officials as national languages namely Fanagalo, Khoe, Lobedu (Khilobedu), Nama, Northern Ndebele (Sindebele), Phuthi (Siphuthi), San (Khoisan/Khoesan), sign language and Tamil. The 11 officially distinguished languages provide for the country's various individualities and their cultures, these are:
IsiZulu (Zulu) - has largest ethnic group speakers. Likely the most widely interpreted language in South Africa, spoken primarily in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Almost 24% of the population speaks the language.
IsiXhosa (Xhosa) - It is the second largest language in the country, also recognized as the Southern or Cape Nguni. It is spoken primarily in the former Transkei Eastern Cape and Ciskei areas. Almost 18% of the population uses the language in their homes.
Afrikaans - spoken primarily by colored South Africans, white Afrikaners and parts of the black population. About 13% of the population speaks the language at home.
English - mostly understood all over the country, representing the language of politics, media and business. It is an instituted and unique dialect with substantial influences from Afrikaans. Almost 8.2% of the population speaks the language at home.
Setswana (Tswana) - the language of the Tswana individuals and generally spoken in Botswana. The most noted Setswana speakers are the politicians, journalists, linguists, translators and writers with approximately 8% of the population speaking the language.
Sesotho (Southern Sotho) - spoken in the country of Lesotho, which is totally bordered by South African district, as well as in the southern Gauteng and in the locality of Brits and Pretoria. Nearly 8% of the population speaks the language at home.
The remaining of the 11 official languages in the country with considerable speakers are the Sepedi (Northern Sotho), Xitsonga (Tsonga), SiSwati (Swati), Tshivenda (Venda), and IsiNdebele (Ndebele).
