Kituba | Ethnologue

A language of Congo

ISO 639: mkw
Alternate Names: Kikongo-Kituba, Kikoongo, Monokutuba, Munukutuba
Autonym: Kituba
Population: 1,750,000 (2018).
Location:: Mainly between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.
Language Status: 3 (Wider communication). Statutory language of national identity (2002, Constitution, Article 6), recognized as lingua franca. Used throughout the south in churches, the market and the media. Established itself in large towns during colonial period between 1885 and 1960. Lingua franca in Bas-Congo, Kwango, Kwilu, Kinshasa, Mai-Ndombe and Kasai-Occidental.
Classification: Creole, Kongo based
Dialects: None known. Reportedly similar to Kituba [ktu] of Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Language Use: Main language of the south and one of the 2 national languages. Also use French [fra]. Used as L2 by Beembe [beq], Doondo [dde], Kaamba [xku], Laari [ldi], Punu [puu], Suundi [sdj], Teke-Laali [lli], Teke-Tsaayi [tyi], Teke-Tyee [tyx], Tsaangi [tsa], Vili [vif], Yaka [iyx], Yombe [yom].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 5%–10%. Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. NT: 2005.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Kituba
Writing: Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments: Main language of the south.

Location: Mainly between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.