Gǁana (pronounced /ˈɡɑːnə/ GAH-nə in English, and also spelled ǁGana, Gxana, Dxana, Xgana) is a Khoe dialect cluster of Botswana. It is closely related to Naro, and includes the well-known dialect Gǀwi, which has the majority of speakers.

Gǁana
Native toBotswana
EthnicityGǁana
Native speakers
2,500 (2013)[1]
Khoe–Kwadi
  • Khoe
    • Kalahari (Tshu–Khwe)
      • West
        • Gǁana
Language codes
ISO 639-3Either:
gnk – Gǁana
gwj – Gǀwi
Glottologanaa1239
ELP||Gana

The double pipe at the beginning of the name "Gǁana" represents a click like the English interjection used when saying giddy-ap to a horse. For the clicks and other sounds found in Gǁana, see Gǀwi dialect.

Dialects edit

  • Gǀwi
  • Domkhoe
  • Gǁaa(khwe)
  • Kǀhessákhoe

References edit

  1. ^ Gǁana at Ethnologue (25th ed., 2022)  
    Gǀwi at Ethnologue (25th ed., 2022)  

Sources edit

  • Brenzinger, Matthias (2011) "The twelve modern Khoisan languages." In Witzlack-Makarevich & Ernszt (eds.), Khoisan languages and linguistics: proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium, Riezlern / Kleinwalsertal (Research in Khoisan Studies 29). Cologne: Rüdiger Köppe Verlag.

External links edit