SiShona
/siˈʃoʊ.nə/noun
An established name for the Shona language, a major Bantu language of Zimbabwe and neighboring regions.
Did you know?The name Shona was popularized during the colonial period, but its deeper origin is disputed; some proposed meanings are later explanations rather than proven etymologies.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Bantu
Proto-Bantu
*ki-
“Reconstructed noun-class 7 prefix used in forming language names and related cultural terms.”
Early Southern Bantu
Bantu
*si-/isi-
“Regional reflexes of the Bantu language-class prefix, later appearing in names for several Southern African languages.”
19th Century
Ndebele
amaShona
“A collective name used by Ndebele speakers for Shona-speaking peoples; the ultimate meaning of Shona remains uncertain.”
20th Century
Shona/English
chiShona
“The widely used Shona-language form for the Shona language, especially in Zimbabwe.”
Modern English
English
SiShona
“An established alternative English-language form referring to the Shona language.”