Makwe language

Last updated
Makwe
Kimakwe
Native to Mozambique, Tanzania
Region Cabo Delgado Province, Mtwara Region
Native speakers
150,000 (2009–2017) [1]
Language codes
ISO 639-3 ymk
Glottolog makw1236
G.402 [2]
ELP Makwe

The Makwe or Macue language (Kimakwe) is a close relative of Swahili spoken on the coast of the Cabo Delgado Province of Mozambique, and across the border in Mtwara Region of Tanzania. Although it shares high lexical similarity (60%) with Swahili, it is not intelligible with it, nor with its cousin Mwani. Arends et al. suggest it might turn out to be a Makonde–Swahili mixed language. [3]

A grammar of the Makwe language by Maud Devos was published in 2008. [4]

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References

  1. Makwe at Ethnologue (26th ed., 2023) Closed Access logo transparent.svg
  2. Jouni Filip Maho, 2009. New Updated Guthrie List Online
  3. Arends, Muysken, & Smith (1995), Pidgins and Creoles: An Introduction
  4. Devos, Maud (2008). A Grammar of Makwe. LINCOM publishers. ISBN   978-3895861079.