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Namibia
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1 (National)
English
[eng]
1 (National). Statutory national language (1990, Constitution, Article 3(1)). 444,100 in Namibia, all users. L1 users: 24,100 in Namibia (2018). L2 users: 420,000 (2020).
3 (Wider communication)
Afrikaans
[afr]
3 (Wider communication). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1, 5.1, 5.5), Most commonly used as educational medium. 127,000 in Namibia (2018).
Lozi
[loz]
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. 38,000 in Namibia (2018).
4 (Educational)
Gciriku
[diu]
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. 55,700 in Namibia (2018). Total users in all countries: 81,700.
German, Standard
[deu]
4 (Educational). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1, 5.1, 5.5), mostly as a language medium in government schools. 39,300 in Namibia (2018).
Herero
[her]
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. 210,000 in Namibia (2018). Total users in all countries: 248,700.
Juǀ’hoansi
[ktz]
4 (Educational). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1.5.1 and 5.5), used in primary education. 40,500 in Namibia (2018). Total users in all countries: 45,500.
Khoekhoe
[naq]
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. 279,000 in Namibia (2018). Total users in all countries: 281,200.
Kwangali
[kwn]
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. 170,000 in Namibia (2018). Ethnic population: 175,000 (2018). Total users in all countries: 192,000.
Kwanyama
[kua]
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. 608,000 in Namibia (2018).
Mbukushu
[mhw]
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. 43,100 in Namibia (2018).
Ndonga
[ndo]
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. 279,000 (2018).
Setswana
[tsn]
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. 6,330 in Namibia (2018).
5 (Developing)
Kwambi
[kwm]
5* (Developing). 39,000 (2016).
Zemba
[dhm]
5* (Developing). 7,000 in Namibia (2016).
Khwedam
[xuu]
5 (Developing). 4,000 in Namibia (Brenzinger 2013b). Total users in all countries: 7,860.
Namibian Sign Language
[nbs]
5 (Developing). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1.5.1 and 5.5). 8,310 (2008 WFD). Approximately 0.35% of total population. Estimated 18,000 ‘deaf or hearing impaired’ (2010 Centre for Communication and Deaf Studies).
5 (Dispersed)
Naro
[nhr]
5* (Dispersed). 2,000 in Namibia (Brenzinger 2013b).
6a (Vigorous)
Fwe
[fwe]
6a (Vigorous). 13,700 in Namibia (2016). Total users in all countries: 25,700.
Hai|ǁom
[hgm]
6a* (Vigorous). 22,000 in Namibia (2016). Total users in all countries: 52,000.
Kuhane
[sbs]
6a* (Vigorous). 31,700 in Namibia (2016). Total users in all countries: 39,570.
Kung-Ekoka
[knw]
6a* (Vigorous). 9,000 in Namibia (Brenzinger 2013b). Total users in all countries: 16,500.
Ngandjera
[nne]
6a* (Vigorous). 13,100 (2000).
Yeyi
[yey]
6a (Vigorous). 7,000 in Namibia (2016).
6b (Threatened)
Mashi
[mho]
6b* (Threatened). 300 in Namibia (2016).
Mbalanhu
[lnb]
6b (Threatened). 300 (2016).
Northwestern !Kung
[vaj]
6b* (Threatened). 1,300 in Namibia (Brenzinger 2013b).
!Xóõ
[nmn]
6b (Threatened). 500 in Namibia (2014 C. Naumann).
Unestablished
Luchazi
[lch]
Unestablished. 1,400 in Namibia (2016).
Nyemba
[nba]
Unestablished. 9,540 in Namibia (1982).
