Oshiwambo

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A language of Angola

ISO 639-3
kua
Alternate Names
Cuanhama, Humba, Kuanjama, Kwancama, Kwanjama, Kwanyama, Ochikwanyama, Oshikuanjama, Ovambo, Oxikuanyama, Wambo
Autonym
Oshikwanyama, Oshiwambo
User Population

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).

Location

South central, Namibian border: Cunene and Kuando Kubango provinces.

Language Maps
Language Status

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.

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Wambo (R.21)
Dialects

Kwanyama, Mbadja. Intelligible with Ndonga [ndo] and Kwambi [kwm].

Language Use

Used as L2 by Nkumbi [khu], Northwestern !Kung [vaj].

Language Development

Most adults can read it, while most youth cannot. To date, it is used as a written standard by the Mbadja people as well as the Kwanyama people (2014 SIL). Taught as subject in primary schools in grades 1–6 in Cunene province. Literature. Dictionary. Bible: 1974.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Oshiwambo
Writing

Braille script [Brai]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage.

Also spoken in:

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