Gǁana language

Gǁana
Native toBotswana
EthnicityGǁana
Native speakers
2,500 (2013)[1]
Khoe–Kwadi
  • Khoe
    • Kalahari (Tshu–Khwe)
      • West
        • Gǁana
Language codes
ISO 639-3Either:
gnk – Gǁana
gwj – Gǀwi
Glottologanaa1239
ELP||Gana
||Gana [sic] is classified as Vulnerable by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger
[2]

Gǁana (pronounced /ˈɡɑːnə/ GAH-nə in English, and also spelled ǁGana, ǁ᪶Ana, Gxana, Dxana, Xgana) is a Khoe dialect cluster of Botswana. It is closely related to Naro, and includes the well-known dialect Gǀwi, which has the majority of speakers.

The double pipe at the beginning of the name "Gǁana" represents a click like the English interjection used when saying giddy-ap to a horse. For the clicks and other sounds found in Gǁana, see Gǀwi dialect.

Dialects

  • Gǀwi
  • Domkhoe
  • Gǁaa(khwe)
  • Kǀhessákhoe

References

  1. ^ Gǁana at Ethnologue (25th ed., 2022) Closed access icon
    Gǀwi at Ethnologue (25th ed., 2022) Closed access icon
  2. ^ Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger (Report) (3rd ed.). UNESCO. 2010. p. 37.

Sources

  • Brenzinger, Matthias (2011) "The twelve modern Khoisan languages." In Witzlack-Makarevich & Ernszt (eds.), Khoisan languages and linguistics: proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium, Riezlern / Kleinwalsertal (Research in Khoisan Studies 29). Cologne: Rüdiger Köppe Verlag.


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