Xhosa

Xhosa is a Bantu language of the Nguni subgroup, spoken primarily in South Africa and by smaller communities in neighboring areas. It is one of South Africa’s official languages and is used in education, government, media, and everyday communication. The language is most strongly associated with the Eastern Cape region, with speakers also found in the Western Cape and other provinces.

Xhosa belongs to the Nguni branch of the Bantu family and is closely related to Zulu and Ndebele. It comprises several dialects, including Western Xhosa, Eastern Xhosa, Thembu, Mpondo, and Bhaca varieties. While dialects differ in pronunciation and vocabulary, they generally remain mutually intelligible and share a common standard written form.

Phonology and writing are notable features of Xhosa. The language has a rich system of click consonants, which are phonemic and appear in many words. These clicks are represented in writing by the letters c, q, and x, often in combination with vowels and other consonants (for example, nc, nq, nx). Xhosa uses a Latin-based orthography and marks tone in writing only indirectly, even though tone is important in the spoken language for distinguishing meaning and grammatical function.

Orthography and standardization: The standard Xhosa orthography was developed in the 19th and 20th centuries and is used across education and media. It formalizes the representation of sounds, including clicks, with the letters c, q, and x and their combinations.

Sociolinguistic context: Xhosa has a rich oral tradition and a growing body of written literature, including poetry, folklore, and contemporary literature. It plays a central role in South African cultural life and public discourse.