Ndebele

Print

Primary tabs

A language of South Africa

ISO 639-3
nbl
Alternate Names
Isikhethu, Ndzundza, Nrebele, Southern Ndebele, Transvaal Ndebele, isiNdebele
Autonym
IsiNdebele
User Population

2,490,000, all users. L1 users: 1,090,000 (2011 census). L2 users: 1,400,000 (Webb 2002).

Location

Mpumalanga and Gauteng (Nkangala district) provinces: northeast of Pretoria.

Language Maps
Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1996, Constitution, Article 6(1)). Statutory provincial language in Mpumalunga province (2012, Use of Official Languages Act, No. 12, Section 4(1)).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Nguni (S.407)
Language Development

Taught as subject in a few primary and secondary schools from grade 4. Taught in primary schools through grade 3. Grammar. Bible: 2013.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Ndebele
Writing

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

Other Comments

Different from Ndebele [nde] of Zimbabwe.