Nambya

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A language of Zimbabwe

ISO 639-3
nmq
Alternate Names
Banyai, Chinambya, Nambzya, Nanzva
Autonym
chiNambya
User Population

90,000 in Zimbabwe (Chebanne and Nthapelelang 2000). Total users in all countries: 105,000.

Location

Matabeleland North province: primarily Hwange district; Binga and Lupane districts; Bulawayo.

Language Maps
Language Status

5* (Developing). Recognized language (2013, Constitution, Article 6(1)).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.16)
Dialects

None known. Slight pronunciation difference in Jambezi area. Reportedly most similar to Kalanga [kck].

Language Use

All also use Ndebele [nde] (Hachipola 1998). Also use Dombe [dov]. Also use English [eng]. Also use Shona [sna]. Also use Tonga [toi]. Used as L2 by Dombe [dov].

Language Development

NT: 1993.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nambya
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian.

Also spoken in:

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