Songe

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A language of Democratic Republic of the Congo

ISO 639-3
sop
Alternate Names
Kalebwe, Kisonge, Kisongi, Kisongye, Luba-Songi, Lusonge, Northeast Luba, Songye, Yembe
User Population

1,000,000 (Hoffman 1991). 150,000 in Western Kalebwe (1982 UBS).

Location

Lomami province: mainly Kabinda territory; Sankuru province: between Lualaba and Sankuru rivers; Tanganyika province: Kabolo and Kongolo territories; Kasai and Maniema provinces.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a* (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, L, Songe (L.23)
Dialects

Western Kalebwe (Esambi Kipya, Songe), Eastern Kalebwe (Ikalebwe, Kilombeno Kibya), Mbagani. Lexical similarity: 75% with Hemba [hem], 72% with Zula [zla], 69% with Bangubangu [bnx], 46% with Zimba [zmb], 45% with Enya [gey].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 2011.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Songe
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Ethnic subgroups are Bena Tshofwe, Bekalebwe, Beneki, Belande, Babembe, Balaa, Bambo, Befundu.