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|official= [[Shona language|Shona]], [[Northern Ndebele language|Ndebele]], [[English language|English]]
|official= [[Shona language|Shona]], [[Northern Ndebele language|Ndebele]], [[English language|English]]
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The three '''[[official languages]] of [[Zimbabwe]]''' are [[Shona language|Shona]] (or chiShona), [[Northern Ndebele language|Ndebele]] (or SiNdebele), and [[English language|English]], which was inherited from colonial rule (''see [[Southern Rhodesia]]''). There are also other indigenous languages of Zimbabwe such as [[Tonga language (Zambia)|Tonga]], [[Nambya language|Nambya]], [[Kalanga language|Kalanga]], [[Sotho language|Sotho]], [[Venda language|Venda]] and [[Xangani language|Xangani]]. approximately 70% of the population is Shona speaking and speaks ChiShona as their first language. Also it is said that around 20% are [[Northern Ndebele people|Ndebele]] and speak IsiNdebele as their first language. These statistices have been officialised yet Zimbabwe has never conducted a census that enumerated people according to ethnic groups/tribes. As such while it is agreed that the Shona speaking people constitute the majority, they are certainly not as many as 85% as the official position alleges.{{citation needed|date=December 2010}}:):D
The three '''[[official languages]] of [[Zimbabwe]]''' are [[Shona language|Shona]] (or chiShona), [[Northern Ndebele language|Ndebele]] (or SiNdebele), and [[English language|English]], which was inherited from colonial rule (''see [[Southern Rhodesia]]''). There are also other indigenous languages of Zimbabwe such as [[Tonga language (Zambia)|Tonga]], [[Nambya language|Nambya]], [[Kalanga language|Kalanga]], [[Sotho language|Sotho]], [[Venda language|Venda]] and [[Xangani language|Xangani]]. approximately 70% of the population is Shona speaking and speaks ChiShona as their first language. Also it is said that around 20% are [[Northern Ndebele people|Ndebele]] and speak IsiNdebele as their first language. These statistices have been officialised yet Zimbabwe has never conducted a census that enumerated people according to ethnic groups/tribes. As such while it is agreed that the Shona speaking people constitute the majority, they are certainly not as many as 85% as the official position alleges.{{citation needed|date=December 2010}}:D


All three languages are acceptable in education, government, etc. but English is traditionally used for official business. It serves as a common language for most Zimbabweans. From around fourth grade, schooling is conducted almost entirely in English.
All three languages are acceptable in education, government, etc. but English is traditionally used for official business. It serves as a common language for most Zimbabweans. From around fourth grade, schooling is conducted almost entirely in English.

Revision as of 18:33, 20 November 2012

Languages of Zimbabwe
OfficialShona, Ndebele, English

The three official languages of Zimbabwe are Shona (or chiShona), Ndebele (or SiNdebele), and English, which was inherited from colonial rule (see Southern Rhodesia). There are also other indigenous languages of Zimbabwe such as Tonga, Nambya, Kalanga, Sotho, Venda and Xangani. approximately 70% of the population is Shona speaking and speaks ChiShona as their first language. Also it is said that around 20% are Ndebele and speak IsiNdebele as their first language. These statistices have been officialised yet Zimbabwe has never conducted a census that enumerated people according to ethnic groups/tribes. As such while it is agreed that the Shona speaking people constitute the majority, they are certainly not as many as 85% as the official position alleges.[citation needed]:D

All three languages are acceptable in education, government, etc. but English is traditionally used for official business. It serves as a common language for most Zimbabweans. From around fourth grade, schooling is conducted almost entirely in English.

See also