Isanzu language
Bantu language spoken in Tanzania
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Isanzu is a Bantu language spoken by the Isanzu people south of Lake Eyasi in Tanzania.
NativetoTanzania
EthnicityAnyihanzu
Native speakers
26,000 (2009)[1]Niger–Congo?
-
Atlantic–Congo
- Volta-Congo
- Benue–Congo
- Bantoid
- Southern Bantoid
- Bantu
- Nyaturu-Nilamba-Isanzu
- Isanzu
- Nyaturu-Nilamba-Isanzu
- Bantu
- Southern Bantoid
- Bantoid
- Benue–Congo
- Volta-Congo
| Isanzu | |
|---|---|
| Kinyihanzu | |
| Native to | Tanzania |
| Ethnicity | Anyihanzu |
Native speakers | 26,000 (2009)[1] |
Niger–Congo?
| |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | isn |
| Glottolog | isan1243 |
F.31B[2] | |
| ELP | Isanzu |
PeopleAnyihanzu
LanguageKinyihanzu
CountryIhanzu
| Isanzu | |
|---|---|
| People | Anyihanzu |
| Language | Kinyihanzu |
| Country | Ihanzu |
The position of Isanzu within the Bantu family is uncertain. It is rather distinct in certain features from other Bantu languages of the area, such as Nyaturu, but is quite close in others. One easily recognizable feature is /h/ in words where neighboring languages have /s/ or /tʃ/, as in the name Isanzu ~ Ihanzu, a feature it shares with Iramba, and a reason it is commonly classified with Iramba.[citation needed]
Phonology
Additionally, Isanzu distinguishes between high tone and low tone.[3]
