Where are Tuu languages spoken?

These languages are spoken in Botswana and in South Africa.

Total number of speakers (estimated)

Approximately 4200, according to SIL’s website ethnologue.com; nearly all of these are speakers of Taa.

Classification

The group of Taa languages is said to have, today, two languages.

Branche Taa

ǃXóõ (alternative name: Taa) : Approximately 4200 speakers according to SIL

Lower Nossob : extinct

Branche !Kwi

Nluu (alternative names: nlhuki, ǂkhomani) : 8 speakers according to Unesco (2008).

ǀXam : extinct

ǂUngkue : extinct

ǁXegwi (alternative name : batwa) : extinct

Comments on the classification

We have based our classification on the work of the DoBes project of the Mack Planck Institute (see sources).

These languages have been classified as one of the three branches of the hypothetical Khoisan group and are also known as Southern Khoisan languages. However, at the present time, the very existence of the Khoisan family is controversial and it is preferable, for now, to classify these languages as an independent family.

There is little information about Tuu languages and according to certain criteria language/dialect, this group can be perceived as having two large dialectical groups or as being a unique group of 6 languages divided into two branches.

Are Tuu languages endangered?

Yes. 4 languages are extinct and it appears that Nluu has only a few speakers left and is likely to become extinct in the coming years. Taa is also endangered.

Ethnographic elements

This section will be developed subsequently.

Linguistic details

This section will be developed subsequently.

Sources

Webpage of the Dobes project of the Max Planck Institute, concerning Taa. Project directed by B.Comrie :

http://www.mpi.nl/DOBES/projects/taa/

Gerrit Dimmendaal (2008) “Language Ecology and Linguistic Diversity on the African Continent”, Language and Linguistics Compass 2/5