NMQ ISO 639-3
Nambya
chiNambya Autonym
A language of Zimbabwe
- ISO 639
- nmq
- Alternate Names
- Banyai, Chinambya, Nambzya, Nanzva
- Autonym
- chiNambya
- Population
- 90,000 in Zimbabwe (Chebanne and Nthapelelang 2000). Total users in all countries: 105,000.
- Location:
- Matabeleland North province: primarily Hwange district; Binga and Lupane districts; Bulawayo.
- Language Status
- 4 (Educational). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)).
- Classification
- Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.16)
- Dialects
- None known. Slight pronunciation difference in Jambezi area. Reportedly most similar to Kalanga [kck].
- Language Use
- All also use Ndebele [nde] (Hachipola 1998). Also use Dombe [dov]. Also use English [eng]. Also use Shona [sna]. Also use Tonga [toi]. Used as L2 by Dombe [dov].
- Language Development
- Taught in primary schools. Nambya has limited teaching material at the secondary school level. NT: 1993.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Nambya
- Writing
- Latin script [Latn].
- Other Comments
- Christian.
Also Spoken in
- Location
- Central district: west and southeast of Nata town, also along Nata river watershed; North West district: southeast corner.
- Language Status
- 5 (Dispersed)
- Other Comments
- Christian. View other languages of Botswana
Language Name
Nambya
User Population
15,000 in Botswana (2004 R. Cook).
Map
Location: Matabeleland North province: primarily Hwange district; Binga and Lupane districts; Bulawayo.
Size and Vitality
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