Khoe Languages - Classification

Classification

Language classifications may list one or two dozen Khoe languages. Because many are dialect clusters, there is a level of subjectivity involved in identifying them. Counting each dialect cluster as a unit results in nine languages, not counting two questionably related languages:

• Nama (ethnonyms Khoekhoen, Nama, Damara) is a dialect cluster including ǂAakhoe and Haiǁom
• Xiri is a dialect cluster also known as Griqua (Afrikaans spelling) or Cape Hottentot.
• Shua is a dialect cluster including Shwa, Deti, Tsʼixa, ǀXaise, and Ganádi
• Tsoa is a dialect cluster including Cire Cire and Kua
• Kxoe is a dialect cluster including ǁAni and Buga
• Naro is a dialect cluster
• Gǁana is a dialect cluster including Gǀwi. ǂHaba is often included here, but may be closer to Naro.