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Glite Dictionary
Basuto

Basuto

1 9.9
A Sotho dialect spoken by the Basotho people in Lesotho and an official language there
  • noun
: basuto
  • The Basuto dialect is an important part of the cultural identity for the people of Lesotho.

Examples

  • The Basuto people communicate in their native dialect, which is distinct and rich in history.

  • The improving qualities of the Bible were at times clearly more ceremonial than effective; however, as reported in the Christian Guardian: "the Basuto chiefs of South Africa visited England to stop the importation of liquor."

    Academic text (2006)

  • In Lesotho, one can hear the Basuto language spoken at markets and community gatherings.

Synonyms

Sesotho
vsBasuto
1 9.9

A language spoken by the Basotho people and official in Lesotho and South Africa

refers to a regional dialect limited to Lesotho rather than the wider language

Surface Forms

Basuto singular
Basutos plural

Etymology

Basuto comes from the name the people use for themselves: Ba- means 'people' and Sotho is the name of the group, so Basotho means 'Sotho people', and English often wrote that name as Basuto. So Basuto refers to the language of the Basotho people and is the name used for their language in Lesotho.