Angola

Portuguese

[por] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Article 19(1)). 18,100,000 in Angola, all users. L1 users: 12,100,000 in Angola (2018). Includes 60,000 foreign L1 users. In cities, Portuguese increasingly L1 of younger generation. 60% of Angolans use Portuguese, 40% as L1. High level of urbanization due to civil war led to increased use. L2 users: 6,000,000 (2018).

3 (Wider communication)

Chokwe

[cjk] 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity. 1,970,000 in Angola (2018). Total users in all countries: 2,491,700.

Kikongo

[kng] 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity. 3,220,000 in Angola (2018). 2,490,000 Kikongo, 730,000 Fiote.

Kimbundu

[kmb] 3 (Wider communication). Established 15th century. Spread in northwestern Angola under Portuguese colonialism (16th century) and Methodist missionary influence (1880s). 1,700,000 in Angola (2015 L. Jordan). Ethnic population: 6,000,000 (2015 L. Jordan). Total users in all countries: 1,700,160.

Oshiwambo

[kua] 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity. Original language of powerful Kwanyama kingdom of southern Angola and northern Namibia. Spread as language of conquest throughout colonial period up to year 1917. Currently used in eastern half of Kunene Province in church, market, business, and media domains. 740,000 in Angola, all users. L1 users: 700,000 in Angola (2018). L2 users: 40,000 (2013 SIL). Total users in all countries: 1,348,000 (as L1: 1,308,000; as L2: 40,000).

Umbundu

[umb] 3 (Wider communication). Trade language, particularly for slave and ivory trade, between Ovimbundu people and Portuguese settlers in 1700’s. Beginning in 1874 used as church language with arrival of catholic missionaries. Spoken by one-third of the population of Angola. 6,980,000 (2018).

5 (Dispersed)

Gciriku

[diu] 5* (Dispersed). 24,000 in Angola.

Kwangali

[kwn] 5* (Dispersed). 22,000 in Angola (2017 K. Legère).

Lunda

[lun] 5* (Dispersed). 178,000 in Angola (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001).

Luvale

[lue] 5* (Dispersed). 304,000 in Angola (2018).

5 (Developing)

Mbangala

[mxg] 5* (Developing). 400,000 (2012).

Mbunda

[mck] 5* (Developing). 135,000 in Angola (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Total users in all countries: 218,000.

Nyemba

[nba] 5* (Developing). 941,000 in Angola (2018). Total users in all countries: 950,540.

Ruund

[rnd] 5* (Developing). 98,500 in Angola (2000).

Songo

[nsx] 5* (Developing). 50,000 (1978 UBS).

Yombe

[yom] 5* (Developing). 39,400 in Angola (2000).

Dhimba

[dhm] 5 (Developing). 18,000 in Angola (2011). Total users in all countries: 25,000.

Kwandu

[xdo] 5 (Developing). 6,000 (2016 L. Jordan). Ethnic population: 6,000 (2016 L. Jordan).

Luchazi

[lch] 5 (Developing). 400,000 in Angola (2011 S. Floor). Total users in all countries: 431,000.

Mashi

[mho] 5 (Developing). 2,630 in Angola (2000).

Nkumbi

[khu] 5 (Developing). 637,000 (2018).

Nyaneka

[nyk] 5 (Developing). 1,000,000 (2018).

6a (Vigorous)

Himba

[her] 6a (Vigorous). 20,000 in Angola (2018 L. Jordan).

Holu

[hol] 6a* (Vigorous). 23,100 in Angola (2000). Total users in all countries: 28,200.

Khongo

[lwa] 6a (Vigorous). 20,000 in Angola (2018 L. Jordan).

Kibala

[blv] 6a (Vigorous). 950,000 (2016 L. Jordan). Ethnic population: 1,030,000 (2016 L. Jordan).

Kilari

[ldi] 6a* (Vigorous).

Kuvale

[olu] 6a (Vigorous). 70,000 (2015 L. Jordan).

Luba-Kasai

[lua] 6a (Vigorous). 60,000 in Angola (2018 L. Jordan).

Luimbi

[lum] 6a* (Vigorous). 43,900 (2000).

Makoma

[sie] 6a (Vigorous). 3,000 in Angola (2018 L. Jordan).

Mbwela

[mfu] 6a* (Vigorous). 222,000 (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001).

Ndombe

[ndq] 6a* (Vigorous). 22,300 (2000).

Ngendelengo

[nql] 6a (Vigorous). 900 (2016 L. Jordan). Ethnic population: 1,000 (2016 L. Jordan).

Nkangala

[nkn] 6a* (Vigorous). 22,300 (2000).

Nyengo

[nye] 6a* (Vigorous). 9,380 (2000).

Suku

[sub] 6a (Vigorous). 30,000 in Angola (2018 L. Jordan).

Yaka

[yaf] 6a* (Vigorous). 200,000 in Angola (2000 SIL).

Yauma

[yax] 6a* (Vigorous). 17,100 in Angola (2000). Total users in all countries: 29,100.

6b (Threatened)

Hungu

[hng] 6b (Threatened). 500,000 (2018 L. Jordan). Ethnic population: 800,000 (2018 L. Jordan).

Kung-Ekoka

[knw] 6b* (Threatened). 5,500 in Angola (2016 L. Jordan).

Mbukushu

[mhw] 6b* (Threatened). 4,810 in Angola (2014 L. Jordan). Ethnic population: 7,210 (2014 L. Jordan).

Mpinda

[pnd] 6b (Threatened). 18,000 (2018 L. Jordan). Ethnic population: 30,000 (2018 L. Jordan).

Northwestern !Kung

[vaj] 6b (Threatened). 9,200 in Angola (2015 L. Jordan). Ethnic population: 10,000 (2015 L. Jordan). Total users in all countries: 15,070.

7 (Shifting)

Khwedam

[xuu] 7 (Shifting). 200 in Angola (Brenzinger 2013b).

10 (Extinct)

Kwadi

[kwz] 10 (Extinct). No known L1 speakers. Last known speakers survived into the late 1970s (Winter 1981).

Unestablished

Kabuverdianu

[kea] Unestablished. 65,000 in Angola (2015 Instituto de Apoio ao Emigrante).

Angola

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