Namibia

Languages

!Xóõ nmn

Hardap region: Aranos and Leonardville area on Botswana border. Users: 500 in Namibia (2014 C. Naumann). Status: 6b (Threatened). Classification: Tuu, Taa

Afrikaans afr

Hardap and Khomas regions. Users: 127,000 in Namibia (2018). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1, 5.1, 5.5), Most commonly used as educational medium. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian

English eng

Users: 444,100 in Namibia, all users. L1 users: 24,100 in Namibia (2018). L2 users: 420,000 (2020). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1990, Constitution, Article 3(1)). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English

Fwe fwe

Zambezi region: Kongola, Linyanti, and Sibbinda electoral constituencies. Users: 13,700 in Namibia (2016). Total users in all countries: 25,700. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Mafwe, Sifwe Autonym: Cìfwè Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Subiya-Totela (K.402)

Gciriku diu

Kavango East, Kavango West, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi regions. Users: 55,700 in Namibia (2018). Total users in all countries: 81,700. Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1.5.1 and 5.5), mainly used as education medium in primary grades. Alternate Names: Dciriku, Diriko, Diriku, Manyo, Mbogedo, Mbogedu, Rugciriku, Rusambyu, Shimbogedu Autonym: Rumanyo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Luyana (K.332)

German, Standard deu

Khomas region: large Windhoek community; Omaruru, Otjiwarongo, and larger cities. Users: 39,300 in Namibia (2018). Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1, 5.1, 5.5), mostly as a language medium in government schools. Alternate Names: Deutsch Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German

Hai|ǁom hgm

Otjozondjupa region: Grootfontein area. Users: 22,000 in Namibia (2016). Total users in all countries: 52,000. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Haikom, Haikum, Heikom, Heikom Bushman, Heikum, Hei|ǁom, Oshikwankala Haiǁom, Xwaga Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Khoekhoe, Hainum

Herero her

Kunene region: Sesfontein north to Angola border area; Omaheke region; Otjozondjupa region: Otumborombonga, southeast corner and central area. Users: 210,000 in Namibia (2018). Total users in all countries: 248,700. Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1.5.1 and 5.5), mainly used as education medium in primary grades. Alternate Names: Ochiherero, Otshiherero, Ovaherero Autonym: Otjiherero Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Herero (R.30)

Juǀ’hoansi ktz

Kavango East and Kavango West regions; Omaheke region: north border; Otjozondjupa region: east central. Users: 40,500 in Namibia (2018). Total users in all countries: 45,500. Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1.5.1 and 5.5), used in primary education. Alternate Names: !Xo, !Xun, Dobe Kung, Dzu’oasi, Ju’oasi, Juǀ’hoan, Kung, Kung-Tsumkwe, Tshumkwe, Xaixai, Xû, Zhu’oasi Autonym: Juǀ’hoansi Classification: Kx’a, !Kung

Khoekhoe naq

Erongo, Kunene, and Otjozondjupa (Otiwarongo area) regions; south central near ||karas and Hardap regions. Users: 279,000 in Namibia (2018). Total users in all countries: 281,200. Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1.5.1 and 5.5), mainly used as education medium in primary grades. Alternate Names: Bergdamara, Damara, Hai||’om, Khoekhoegowap, Maqua, Nama, Namagowab, Namakwa, Naman, Namaqua, Tama, Tamakwa, Tamma, “Hottentot” (pej.) Autonym: Khoekhoegowab Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Khoekhoe, Nama

Khwedam xuu

Kavango East and Zambezi regions: between Okavango and Zambezi rivers. Users: 4,000 in Namibia (Brenzinger 2013b). Total users in all countries: 7,300. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Khoe, Khwe, Khwe-||Ani, Kxoe, Kxoedam, Xun, “Barakwena” (pej.), “Barakwengo” (pej.), “Mbarakwena” (pej.), “Water Bushmen” (pej.) Autonym: Khwedam Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Kalahari Khoe, Northwest

Kuhane sbs

Zambezi region. Users: 31,700 in Namibia (2016). Total users in all countries: 39,570. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Chikuahane, Chikwahane, Ciikuhane, Echisubia, Ikuhane, Mbalangwe, Subia, Subiya, Supia Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Subiya-Totela (K.42)

Kung-Ekoka knw

Erongo and Otjozondjupa regions: to Dunguati and Usakos; Khomas region: small border group. Users: 9,000 in Namibia (Brenzinger 2013b). Total users in all countries: 16,500. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: !Hu, !Khung, !Ku, !Kung, !Xu, !Xun, !Xung, Ekoka !Xung, Ekoka-!Xû, Kung, Qxû, Qxü Classification: Kx’a, !Kung

Kwambi kwm

Oshana region; Omusati and Ohangwena regions bordering Oshana; Oshikoto region: southwest. Users: 39,000 (2016). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Otjiwambo, Owambo Autonym: Oshikwambi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Wambo (R.23)

Kwangali kwn

Kavango East and Kavango West regions. Users: 170,000 in Namibia (2018). Ethnic population: 175,000 (2018). Total users in all countries: 192,000. Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1.5.1 and 5.5), mainly used as education medium in primary grades. Alternate Names: Kwangare, Kwangari, Rukwangari, Sikwangali, Vakwángali Autonym: Rukwángali Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Luyana (K.33)

Kwanyama kua

Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, and Oshikoto regions; northeast Omusati and east Oshana regions. Users: 608,000 in Namibia (2018). Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1.5.1 and 5.5), mainly used as education medium in primary grades. Alternate Names: Humba, Kuanyama, Kwancama, Kwanjama, Ochikwanyama, Oshikwanyama, Oshiwambo, Otjiwambo, Ovambo, Owambo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Wambo (R.21)

Lozi loz

Kavango East and Zambezi regions: widespread. Users: 38,000 in Namibia (2018). Status: 3 (Wider communication). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1.5.1 and 5.5), mainly used as primary educational medium in certain areas. Spoken as lingua franca by all residents of East Caprivi Strip. Alternate Names: Kololo, Rotse, Rozi, Rutse, Silozi, Tozvi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Lozi (K.21)

Luchazi lch

Users: 1,400 in Namibia (2016). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.13)

Mashi mho

Kavango East and Zambezi regions; scattered nomadic groups. Users: 300 in Namibia (2016). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Masi Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Luyana (K.34)

Mbalanhu lnb

Kunene region. Users: 300 (2016). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Mbaanhu, Mbalantu, Mbaluntu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Wambo (R.214)

Mbukushu mhw

Kavango East and Zambezi regions. Users: 43,100 in Namibia (2018). Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1.5.1 and 5.5), mainly used as education medium in primary grades. Alternate Names: Gova, Hambukushu, Kusso, Mambukush, Mampukush, Mbukuhu, Mbukushi, Thimbukushu Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Luyana (K.333)

Namibian Sign Language nbs

Scattered. Users: 8,310 (2008 WFD). Approximately 0.35% of total population. Estimated 18,000 ‘deaf or hearing impaired’ (2010 Centre for Communication and Deaf Studies). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1.5.1 and 5.5). Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language

Naro nhr

Omaheke region: east of Gobabis to Botswana border. Users: 2,000 in Namibia (Brenzinger 2013b). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Nharo Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Kalahari Khoe, Southwest

Ndonga ndo

Kunene and Oshana regions: small scattered areas; Omusati region; Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions: east. Users: 279,000 (2018). Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1.5.1 and 5.5), mainly used as education medium in primary grades. Alternate Names: Ambo, Ochindonga, Osindonga, Otjiwambo, Owambo Autonym: Oshindonga, Oshiwambo Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Wambo (R.22)

Ngandjera nne

Omusati region: in and around Okahao electoral constituency. Users: 13,100 (2000). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Ngandyera, Oshingandjera Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Wambo (R.24)

Northwestern !Kung vaj

Kavango East and Zambezi regions; Otjozondjupa region: southeast of Omataku river. Users: 1,300 in Namibia (Brenzinger 2013b). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: !’O-!Khung, !Ku, !Kung, !Xun, Sekela, Vasekela Bushman, Vasekele Classification: Kx’a, !Kung

Nyemba nba

Mines. Users: 9,540 in Namibia (1982). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.12)

Setswana tsn

Hardap region; Omaheke region: Botswana border. Users: 6,330 in Namibia (2018). Status: 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1.5.1 and 5.5), mainly used as education medium in primary grades. Alternate Names: Tswana Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Sotho-Tswana (S.31)

Yeyi yey

Zambezi region. Users: 7,000 in Namibia (2016). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Ciyei, Mayeyi, Seyeyi, Shiyeyi, Yeei, Yei, “Koba” (pej.), “Kuba” (pej.), “Sekoba” (pej.) Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Yeyi (R.41)

Zemba dhm

Kunene region: south of Kunene river. Users: 7,000 in Namibia (2016). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Dhimba, Himba, Luzimba, Oludhimba, Oluthimba, Otjidhimba, Simba Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Herero (R.311)