Editing Shona language (section)

==Varieties==

The last systematic study of varieties and sub-varieties of the Central Shona dialect continuum was that done by Clement Doke in 1930, so many sub-varieties are no longer functional and should be treated with caution.

According to information from Ethnologue:

* S14 '''Karanga''' (Chikaranga). Spoken in southern Zimbabwe, near [[Masvingo]]. It is also mostly spoken in the Midlands province, most notably in Gutu, Masvingo, Mberengwa and Zvishavane districts. Some people refer it as Vhitori.
:Subdialects: Duma, Jena, Mhari (Mari), Ngova, Venda (not the [[Venda language]]), Govera.

* S12 '''Zezuru''' (Chizezuru, Bazezuru, Bazuzura, Mazizuru, Vazezuru, Wazezuru). Spoken in [[Mashonaland]] east and central Zimbabwe, near [[Harare]]. The standard language.
:Subdialects: Shawasha, Gova, Mbire, Tsunga, Kachikwakwa, Harava, Nohwe, Njanja, Nobvu, Kwazvimba (Zvimba).

* S11 '''Korekore''' (Northern Shona, Goba, Gova, Shangwe). Spoken in northern Zimbabwe, [[Mvurwi]], [[Bindura]], [[Mount Darwin, Zimbabwe|Mt Darwin]], [[Guruve]], [[Chiweshe]], [[Centenary, Zimbabwe|Centenary]].
:Subdialects: Gova, Tande, Tavara, Nyongwe, Pfunde, Shangwe.

Languages with partial intelligibility with Central Shona, of which the speakers are considered to be ethnically Shona, are the S15 [[Ndau language]], spoken in Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and the S13 [[Manyika language]], spoken in eastern Zimbabwe, near Mutare specifically Chipinge. Ndau literacy material has been introduced into primary schools. 
Maho (2009) recognizes Korekore, Zezuru, Manyika, Karanga, and Ndau as distinct languages within the Shona cluster.<ref name="Guthrie"/>