Tjwao dialect

Tjwao
	Tshwao
Native to	Zimbabwe
Native speakers	<20[1]
Language family	Khoe Kalahari (Tshu–Khwe) East Tsoa Tjwao; ; ; ;
Official status
Official language in	Zimbabwe (as "Koisan")
Language codes
ISO 639-3	–
Glottolog	tjwa1234

Tjwao (formerly Tshwao) is an endangered Khoe language spoken by fewer than 20 people in the Tsholotsho District of Zimbabwe, all over 60 years of age.[1][2][3] A slightly larger group of 100 have passive or partial knowledge of the language.

It is the only Khoisan language in Zimbabwe, where "Koisan" is an officially recognised language in the constitution.

Tjwao belongs to the Tshwa (Tsoa-Kua) cluster of East Kalahari Khoe languages. It is very similar to the varieties of Ganade noted by Westphal and Traill. Although mentioned by scholars for several decades, documentation of the language only began in 2012.

References

"Tshawo, the Endangered Language of Zimbabwe" (PDF). 2015.
Dialogue, Radio. "Khosian Tshwao language in near extinction". Retrieved 16 June 2017.
"Daunting task in crafting San language syllabus". Southern Eye. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2017.

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[:0-1] "Tshawo, the Endangered Language of Zimbabwe" (PDF). 2015.

[2] Dialogue, Radio. "Khosian Tshwao language in near extinction". Retrieved 16 June 2017.

[3] "Daunting task in crafting San language syllabus". Southern Eye. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2017.