Tanzania Languages

According to Ethnologue, people in the United Republic of TANZANIA communicate with a total of 175 "living languages" throughout the country. As of 2017, there are no official national languages — there would be too many choices to choose from! Tanzanian languages are mostly derived from African, Indic (Indian/South Asian), and European influences. Most languages correspond with its namesake ethnic group or tribe. With over 100,000 communicators each, major languages include Asu (500,000 writers/speakers), Bena (670,000), English (4,000,000), Fipa (195,000), Gogo (1,930,000), Gujarati (250,000), Hangaza (200,000), Haya (1,740,000), Hehe (1,080,000), Iraqu (a.k.a. Mbulu; 462,000), Jita (205,000), Kagulu (241,000), Kerewe (Ekikerebe or Urukerebe; 100,000), Kikwaya (Kwaya; 115,000), Kuria (Kurya; 430,000), Langi (410,000), Luguru (692,000), Luo (140,000), Masai (613,000), Machame (300,000), Makhuwa-Meetto (Chimakua, Emakhua, and Makhuwa; 518,000), Makonde (1,320,000), Mambwe-Lungu (295,000), Matengo (150,000)...

...Mochi (Chaga and Moshi; 597,000), Mwera (469,000), Ndali (150,000), Ndendeule (110,000), Ngindo (220,000), Ngoni (170,000), Ngulu (132,000), Nilamba (613,000), Nyakyusa-Ngonde (1,080,000), Nyambo (400,000), Nyamwezi (1,320,000), Nyaturu (801,000), Nyiha (246,000), Omani Arabic (195,000), Pogolo (185,000), Rufiji (200,000), Safwa (158,000), Shambala (664,000), Shubi (153,000), Suba-Simbiti (113,000), Sukuma (7,300,000), Sumbwa (191,000), Swahili (47,000,000), Tanzanian Sign Language (278,000), Vunjo (300,000), Yao (566,000), Zanaki (100,000), Zigula (355,000), and Zinza (138,000). The Aasáx, Akie, Gweno, Ngasa, Segeju, and Zaramo languages are considered dying and near-extinct because of low native-speaker populations. At least three languages are considered extinct with no native communicators: Kw'adza and Mosiro.