Page Type: languageSonge | Ethnologue

SOP ISO 639-3

Songe

A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639
sop
Alternate Names
Kalebwe, Kisonge, Kisongi, Kisongye, Luba-Songi, Lusonge, Northeast Luba, Songye, Yembe
Population
1,000,000 (Hoffman 1991). 150,000 in Western Kalebwe (1982 UBS).
Location:
Lomami province: mainly Kabinda territory; Sankuru province: between Lualaba and Sankuru rivers; Tanganyika province: Kabolo and Kongolo territories; Kasai and Maniema provinces.
Language Status
6a* (Vigorous).
Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, L, Songe (L.23)
Dialects
Western Kalebwe (Esambi Kipya, Songe), Eastern Kalebwe (Ikalebwe, Kilombeno Kibya), Mbagani. Lexical similarity: 75% with Hemba [hem], 72% with Zula [zla], 69% with Bangubangu [bnx], 46% with Zimba [zmb], 45% with Enya [gey].
Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 2011.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Songe
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Ethnic subgroups are Bena Tshofwe, Bekalebwe, Beneki, Belande, Babembe, Balaa, Bambo, Befundu.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Lomami province: mainly Kabinda territory; Sankuru province: between Lualaba and Sankuru rivers; Tanganyika province: Kabolo and Kongolo territories; Kasai and Maniema provinces.