Xhosa
Xhosa
Xhosa (/ˈkoʊsə/, Xhosa: [kǁʰɔ́ːsa]) is a Nguni Bantu language with click consonants (Xhosa phonology) and is one of the several official languages of South Africa. Xhosa is spoken as a first language by approximately 8.2 million people and by another 11 million as a second language in South Africa, mostly in Eastern Cape Province.
Etymology
The name "Xhosa" comes from that of a legendary leader and King called uXhosa. There is also a theory that the word xhosa derives from a word in some Khoi-khoi or San language meaning "fierce" or "angry", the amaXhosa being the fierce people.
Pronunciation
In English, the initial 'X' in Xhosa represents a click consonant, not found in English, similar to the sound made when imitating a horse's hooves hitting the ground.
Related Terms
- Nguni Bantu languages
- Click consonant
- Official languages of South Africa
- Eastern Cape
- Khoi-khoi
- San language
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Xhosa
- Wikipedia's article - Xhosa
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বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
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Southeast Asian
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မြန်မာဘာသာ,
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