Language Information by Source

A sociolinguistic survey of the languages of Botswana

Sue Hasselbring. 2000. "A Sociolinguistic Survey of the Languages of Botswana." v. 1: 1-142. Basarwa Languages Project, Collaborative Basarwa Research Programme of the Univ. of Botswana & Univ. of Tromsø.

Threatened
80 percent certain, based on the evidence available
Speaker Number Trends

Speaker Number Trend 2

A majority of community members speak the language. Speaker numbers are gradually decreasing.

2
Domains of Use

Domain Of Use 2

Used in some non-official domains along with other languages, and remains the primary language used in the home for many community members.

2
Transmission

Transmission 2

Most adults in the community are speakers, but children generally are not.

2

Speakers

Native or fluent speakers:
No results found.
Second-language speakers and learners
No results found.
Semi-speakers or rememberers
No results found.
Children:
No results found.
Young adults
No results found.
Older adults
No results found.
Elders
No results found.
Ethnic or community population
No results found.
Year information was gathered
No results found.
Comments on speakers
"Multilingualism is common in the Boteti region. Of those interviewed… less than one tenth said they spoke only one language."

Location and Context

Countries
Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe
Location Description

Tutume, Boteti, Northwest, Botswana; Namibia; Zimbabwe

Government Support
No results found.
Institutional Support
No results found.
Speakers' Attitude
Positive
Other Languages Used By The Community
Tswana, Kalanga, English, Kgalagari, Mbukushu, Ndebele, Kuhane, Yeyi
Number of Other Language Speakers:
None
Domains of Other Languages:
With spouse, with children, by the chief, kgotla, at the clinic, singing to oneself, church, prayer, reading/writing

Writing Systems

Standard orthography:
No results found.
Writing system:
No results found.
Other writing systems used:
No results text.
Comments on writing systems:
No results found.

Community Members