Malawi Language: What Do They Speak in Malawi?
The official languages of Malawi are English / Chichewa. In English, the country is called Malawi. Malawi is officially multilingual, with 2 recognised languages reflecting its diverse cultural and ethnic heritage.
🗣️ Language at a Glance
About the English Language
English began as the dialects of Anglo-Saxon settlers who arrived in Britain in the 5th century. Old English, the language of Beowulf, is unintelligible to modern readers; the Norman Conquest layered French on top, Shakespeare and the printing press shaped the modern standard, and the British Empire and later American economic and cultural power carried it worldwide. Today it is official or co-official in around 60 countries and the default language of aviation, science, diplomacy and the internet. English is a West Germanic language whose closest living relative is Frisian, followed by Dutch and German. After the Norman Conquest of 1066 it absorbed so much French and Latin that the majority of its dictionary is now Romance in origin: a Germanic skeleton wearing a Latin wardrobe.
The Latin alphabet: How English is Written
English is written in the plain 26-letter Latin alphabet, with no accents or special characters in native words. Its spelling, however, is famously irregular: pronunciation kept evolving after printing fixed the spellings in the late 15th century, which is why though, through, tough and thorough all sound different. There is no regulating academy; dictionaries describe usage rather than dictate it.
Is English a Tonal Language?
No, English is not a tonal language. It is a stress-timed language where intonation signals attitude or turns a statement into a question, but changing the pitch of a word never changes its dictionary meaning the way it does in Mandarin or Thai.
🗨️ Useful English Phrases
A few everyday phrases in English, written in a simple romanized pronunciation so you can read them aloud. Tones and exact sounds vary by region, so treat these as a starting point.
How Hard is English to Learn?
For learners, English is easy to start and hard to master. There is no grammatical gender, almost no case system and verb conjugation is minimal, so basic sentences come quickly. The pain arrives later: chaotic spelling, hundreds of irregular verbs, articles (a, an, the) that many languages lack, phrasal verbs whose meanings cannot be guessed (put up, put off, put up with), and one of the largest vocabularies of any language.
Multilingual Heritage of Malawi
Malawi officially recognises 2 languages: English, Chichewa. This multilingual status is a reflection of the country's history, ethnic diversity and cultural complexity. Different regions or communities may predominantly use one language over another, and all official languages are typically represented in government, education and public services. Multilingual countries often have rich cultural traditions that draw from each language community.
Language Tips for Visitors to Malawi
English is an official language of Malawi, making it easy for international visitors to communicate. You will find English widely spoken in cities, tourist areas, hotels and most businesses. Airport signage, menus and official documents are commonly available in English. The country is officially known as Malawi in English, and the international dialling code is +265.
🌍 Other Countries Where English is Spoken
English is not exclusive to Malawi; it is also spoken in these countries:
Frequently Asked Questions about Language in Malawi
What language do they speak in Malawi?
The official languages of Malawi are English / Chichewa.
Is English spoken in Malawi?
Yes, English is one of the official languages of Malawi.
What is Malawi called in its own language?
Malawi is called "Malawi" in English.
What writing system does English use?
English is written in the Latin alphabet. English is written in the plain 26-letter Latin alphabet, with no accents or special characters in native words. Its spelling, however, is famously irregular: pronunciation kept evolving after printing fixed the spellings in the late 15th century, which is why though, through, tough and thorough all sound different. There is no regulating academy; dictionaries describe usage rather than dictate it.
Is English a tonal language?
No, English is not a tonal language. It is a stress-timed language where intonation signals attitude or turns a statement into a question, but changing the pitch of a word never changes its dictionary meaning the way it does in Mandarin or Thai.
How do you say hello in English?
"Hello" in English is "heh-LOH".
Is English hard to learn?
For learners, English is easy to start and hard to master. There is no grammatical gender, almost no case system and verb conjugation is minimal, so basic sentences come quickly. The pain arrives later: chaotic spelling, hundreds of irregular verbs, articles (a, an, the) that many languages lack, phrasal verbs whose meanings cannot be guessed (put up, put off, put up with), and one of the largest vocabularies of any language.
How many official languages does Malawi have?
Malawi has 2 official languages: English, Chichewa.
Do I need to speak English to visit Malawi?
No: English is official in Malawi so communication is easy for English speakers.
What is the calling code for Malawi?
The international dialling code for Malawi is +265.
What is the population of Malawi?
Malawi has a population of approximately 20.4M, all of whom use English / Chichewa as the official languages.