Namibia
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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: 7,860. 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).
!Xóõ
[nmn] Hardap region: Aranos and Leonardville area on Botswana border. Users: 500 in Namibia (2014 C. Naumann). Status: 6b (Threatened). Classification: Tuu, Taa.
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).