A lexicostatistical survey of the Bantu languages of Botswana

Abstract

Botswana has more than thirty languages, among which at least ten are of Bantu origin. According to Guthrie (1948, 1967–71) and Doke (1967), the Botswana Bantu languages belong to both Eastern and Western Bantu streams. However, the earlier classifications did not provide much detail on the hierarchical order and degree of relationship between the languages in the various zones and groups. This study, which is based mainly on a lexicostatistical survey of nine Botswana Bantu languages, demonstrates the degree to which these languages are related and also the hierarchy of relationship. The author goes further to demonstrate the degree to which they have retained Proto-Bantu and Eastern Bantu vocabulary. Also a number of historical observations are made on the basis of the findings in the study.