TRADITIONAL LANGUAGES IN MOZAMBIQUE

SEASON 2 EPISODE 34

Mozambique is a State with a diversity of languages and Portuguese language as the lingua franca.

There are about 43 languages spoken across Mozambique where some Nationals are fluent in more than one language.

Examples of languages spoken in Mozambique;

Makhuwa Language

This is a Bantu language which is the primary language spoken by the Makua tribe (largest ethnic group) found in Northern Mozambique.

Sena

This is a Bantu language spoken by the Sena tribe of Mozambique which can be found in Central Mozambique

Tsonga

This is the native language spoken by the Tsonga tribe of Mozambique which can also be considered to be mutual between Tswa and Ronga.

Shona

This is one of the most widely spoken Bantu language and it is common with the Shona tribe of Mozambique

Chichewa

This is a Bantu language that is spoken in major parts of Southern and Eastern Africa and is the official language of countries like Malawi and Zambia

Other languages spoken include Portuguese, Elomwe, Xironga.

Let’s take a look at some common phrases in Mozambican Portuguese.

Hello – Hola

Goodbye – Até logo

Good morning – Bom dia

Good afternoon – Boa tarde

Good evening – Boa noite

I am from … – Eu sou de …

Thank you – Obrigado

Excuse me – Faz favour

Friend – Amigo

How are you? – Como estas?

I am fine – Muito bem obrigado

What’s your name? – Como te chamas?

I’m English (male) – Sou Inglês / Sou Inglesa

I don’t know – Não sei

Where? – Onde?

When? – Quando

How’s it going? – Como vai

Excuse me – Quali-sensa 

Written and edited by Ebenezer Oladokun