tUU

Tuu is a proposed language family identified in southern Africa. It is traditionally treated as one of the major groups within the broader umbrella known in some classifications as the Khoisan language family, though the genetic status of Tuu is debated. Some linguists regard Tuu as a valid, distinct branch, while others view it as a geographic or historical grouping rather than a proven genetic lineage, and still others place Tuu within a wider Khoisan macro-family. Because classifications have varied over time, there is no unanimous consensus on the exact boundaries of Tuu.

Geographically, Tuu languages are spoken mainly in southern Africa, with communities in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Speaker populations are generally small, and many Tuu languages are endangered or have already become extinct. The diversity within the grouping means there is considerable variation in grammar, phonology, and vocabulary across its languages.

Historically, Tuu has been subdivided in various ways, commonly into Northern Tuu and Southern Tuu, with some classifications proposing additional sub-branches. Phonological profiles also vary; some Tuu languages are noted for complex consonant inventories, including ejectives and, in some branches, clicks, while others do not rely on clicks. Despite differences among classifications and languages, Tuu remains a reference point in discussions of southern African language diversity and the broader questions about historical relationships among the region’s languages.