Shona

Shona is a Bantu language spoken in Zimbabwe. It is also spoken in Botswana and Mozambique. Shona is a member of the Southern Bantu languages. The language is also known as ChiShona, and the people who speak it are known as the Shona people. The Shona language is thought to have originated in the Zambezi River valley in what is now Zimbabwe. The language spread throughout the region as the Shona people migrated. Today, there are an estimated 8 million Shona speakers in Zimbabwe. Shona is a tonal language, which means that the meaning of a word can change depending on the pitch of the speaker’s voice. There are four tones in Shona: high, low, rising, and falling. The Shona language has two main dialects: Zezuru and Karanga. Zezuru is the dialect spoken in the Harare area, and Karanga is spoken in the Bulawayo area. There are also several smaller dialects, such as Manyika, Ndau, and Korekore. Shona is written using a Latin-based alphabet. There are also several different Shona orthographies, or ways of writing the language. The Shona language is an important part of the culture of the Shona people. The language is used in many traditional ceremonies, such as weddings and funerals. Shona music is also very popular, and the Shona people have a rich oral tradition of storytelling.