What Languages are Spoken in South Africa?

Written by Nate Webber

Idiomatic USA Chief Content Officer

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South Africa is a linguistically diverse country with eleven official languages. These languages are Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, and isiZulu. Each of these languages reflects the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of the nation.

IsiZulu is the most widely spoken language in South Africa, used by nearly a quarter of the population. Following closely, isiXhosa is another major language. English and Afrikaans are also significant, with English commonly used in public and commercial life. The remaining languages, while not as predominantly spoken, play a crucial role in the cultural and social spheres of various South African communities.

For more information on South African languages, visit our sister site Idiomatic South Africa.

These languages not only represent the linguistic diversity but also the cultural richness of South Africa, making it a unique melting pot of traditions and histories.