The countrys main languages are Shona, spoken by over 70% of the population, and Ndebele, spoken by roughly 20%. English is the countrys lingua franca, used in government and business and as the main medium of instruction in schools.

What languages are spoken in Zimbabwe?

16 Zimbabwe has 16 official languages - namely as Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Koi-san, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, Sign Language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa.

Is Shona a language in Zimbabwe?

Shona is a language from the Bantu family and is spoken in Zimbabwe. It is the mother tongue of 75% of the people of Zimbabwe.

Is Afrikaans spoken in Zimbabwe?

Today, Afrikaans is spoken by a small minority of Zimbabweans, less than one percent of the population and the number of whom has declined significantly since 1980. Todays, Afrikaans speakers in Zimbabwe are typically recent Afrikaner immigrants from South Africa or their descendants.

How do you greet a Zimbabwean?

Zimbabwean CultureGreet anyone older than yourself first. The common greeting is a firm handshake with the right hand. The traditional greeting involves a clap after the handshake. Women may lower their body briefly, kneel or curtsy whilst shaking hands out of respect.More items