QUESTION: How many official languages are there in South Africa?

South Africa has 11 official languages, and plenty of unofficial ones besides. English is the most commonly spoken language in official and commercial public life - but only the fifth most spoken home language.

While more than three-quarters of South Africa's population is black African, this category is neither culturally nor linguistically homogenous. Nine of the official languages are African, reflecting a variety of ethnic groupings which nonetheless have a great deal in common in terms of background, culture and descent. (information from: http://www.southafrica.info/about/facts.htm#people)

South Africa's population by language
(Data source: Statistics South Africa)

QUESTION: Which language is more difficult to learn - Xhosa, Zulu or Sotho? Are the clicks impossibly difficult to pronounce?

Most of South Africa's African languages are fairly easy to learn in terms of grammar since they follow a clear, logical pattern of Noun Classes with prefixes that relate back to these classes.  If you find the idea of making click sounds off-putting - don't worry - we will show you how to make them by reminding you that you already make clicks in your everyday life - when you are irritated or getting a horse to move along! No problem! Xhosa and Zulu both have 15 click sounds but Xhosa uses these sounds more frequently than Zulu. There are only 4 click sounds in Sotho but Sotho does have quite a complex tonal structure. To sum up: no, our Southern African African languages are no more difficult to learn than any other foreign language!

QUESTION: I live in Johannesburg and I want to learn an African language. Which one should I choose?

Probably Zulu, although Sotho would also be extremely helpful. 32% of Johannesburg residents speak Nguni languages (Zulu, Xhosa, Swati, Ndebele) at home, 24% speak Sotho languages (Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho - also known as Pedi, Tswana), 18% speak English, 7% speak Afrikaans and 6% speak Venda.

 QUESTION: I live in Cape Town and I want to learn an African language. Which one should I choose?

After Afrikaans, English and Xhosa are the next two main languages spoken in Cape Town (roughly 28% of the population each) - so definitely Xhosa!

 QUESTION: I need something translated into an African language. What should I do?

Make sure that you employ a professional translator with contactable references. Trying to get translations done on the cheap can cost you dearly in the long run. You can contact your local university's African Languages department or use a translation agency. In Cape Town there is Folio - www.folio-online.co.za