List of Languages in Botswana

List of Languages in Botswana

What is Languages?

Language is a structured system of communication. The structure of a language is its grammar and the free components are its vocabulary. Languages are the primary means by which humans communicate, and may be conveyed through a variety of methods, including spoken, sign, and written language.

List of Languages in Botswana

The official languages of Botswana are English and Tswana. English – Inherited from colonial rule and is used for official business and most written communication. Tswana – The language of the Tswana people—Setswana—is a country’s national language, and is spoken by most of the population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many languages are spoken in Botswana?

The number of individual languages listed for Botswana is 31. All are living languages. Of these, 26 are indigenous and 5 are non-indigenous.

What are the top 3 languages spoken in Botswana?

The biggest languages present in Botswana include: English – 611 thousand speakers. Setswana – 1.83 million speakers. Kalanga – 118 thousand speakers.

Do people speak English in Botswana?

Botswana has both an official language (English) and a national language (Setswana), and you’ll find both spoken throughout the country if you visit. English is used for official documents and formal written communications, whereas Setswana is primarily used as a spoken language.

Is Botswana rich or poor?

Significant mineral (diamond) wealth, good governance, prudent economic management, and a relatively small population of about 2.4 million (2021), have made it an upper middle-income country with an agenda of becoming a high-income country by 2036.

What is the main religion in Botswana?

The official religion is Christianity, but in actuality only 20% are practicing Christians (including the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa) while 80% follow various indigenous beliefs.

Can foreigners live in Botswana?

Expats planning to work in Botswana, or live in the country for more than 3 months will need a Residence Permit. To apply for a Residence Permit, you’ll need to show that you can financially support yourself while living in Botswana.

Can foreigners live in Botswana?

Expats planning to work in Botswana, or live in the country for more than 3 months will need a Residence Permit. To apply for a Residence Permit, you’ll need to show that you can financially support yourself while living in Botswana.

Is Botswana cheap to live?

Cost of living in Botswana is, on average, 52.62% lower than in United States. Rent in Botswana is, on average, 83.06% lower than in United States.

Is Tswana hard to learn?

I was quite good at languages at school, but Setswana is a very difficult language to understand and speak. When you hear people talking in Setswana, it’s spoken very quickly, so it’s hard to pick up. Even Batswana can struggle, as there are different interpretations of how to construct a sentence in Setswana.

What problems does Botswana have?

While it is considered one of the most stable democracies in Africa, Botswana has been dominated by a single party since independence. Media freedom remains under threat. The indigenous San people, as well as migrants, refugees, and LGBT+ people, face discrimination.

Is Botswana a friendly country?

Botswana is a country located in South Africa, possibly the safest country in entire Africa, rich in natural goods and wildlife and bordering with Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

What is Botswana best known for?

Botswana is well known for having some of the best wilderness and wildlife areas on the African continent. 38% of its total land area are devoted to national parks, reserves and wildlife management areas.