Zambia - Languages | Ethnologue Ethnologue Feedback Afrikaans [afr] 41,000 in Zambia (2006 J. Leclerc). Status: 5 (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian. Comments: Non-indigenous. More Information Aushi [auh] Luapula province. 100,000 in Zambia (2010 census). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Avaushi, Ushi, Usi, Uzhil, Vouaousi. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Bemba (M.402). More Information Bemba [bem] Eastern, Luapula, and Northern provinces; possibly Copperbelt province. 3,810,000 in Zambia (2010 census), decreasing.

3,730,000 Bemba, 12,800 Chishinga, 37,900 Kabende, 15,000 Lunda, 1,680 Mukulu, 11,500 Unga (2010 census). Ethnic population: 2,890,000 (2010 census). 2,630,000 Bemba, 64,400 Chishinga, 45,000 Kabende, 119,000 Lunda, 5,130 Mukulu, 24,900 Unga (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 4,110,000. Status: 2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in North, Copperbelt, and Luapula provinces. Town Bemba is a widely used lingua franca in urban areas, with higher social status than other languages except English [eng], and is used for educational and administrative purposes.

Alternate Names: Chibemba, Chiwemba, Cibemba, Ichibemba, Icibemba, Wemba. Dialects: Lembue, Lomotua (Lomotwa), Ngoma, Nwesi, Town Bemba, Lunda (Luapula), Chishinga, Kabende, Mukulu, Ng’umbo, Twa of Bangweulu, Unga. Town Bemba has a Bemba base with heavy code mixing with English and neighboring Bantu languages. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Bemba (M.42). Comments: Traditional religion, Christian. More Information Bwile [bwc] Luapula province. 19,600 in Zambia (2010 census). Ethnic population: 55,600 (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 32,000. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Dialects: None known. Not closely related to other languages.

Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Bemba (M.401). More Information Chichewa [nya] Eastern and Central provinces. 2,180,000 in Zambia (2010 census). 500,000 Chewa, 40,000 Kunda 1,640,000 Nyanja (2010 census). Ethnic population: 1,060,000 (2010 census). 930,000 Chewa, 83,500 Kunda, 50,800 Nyanja (2010 census). Status: 4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in Eastern, Central provinces. Alternate Names: Chewa, Chinyanja, Nyanja.

Dialects: Chewa (Cewa), Peta (Chipeta, Cipeta, Malawi, Marave, Maravi), Chingoni (Ngoni), Manganja (Waganga), Nyasa, Kunda. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Chewa-Nyanja (N.31). Comments: Kunda dialect is distinct from Kunda [kdn] of Mozambique. More Information Chokwe [cjk] North-Western rovince: east of Mbunda [mck] language area. 17,700 in Zambia (2010 census). Ethnic population: 61,900 (2010 census). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Ciokwe, Cokwe, Djok, Shioko, Tschiokwe, Tshokwe. Dialects: Minungo.

Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.11). Comments: Non-indigenous. More Information English [eng] Widespread. 110,000 in Zambia (Crystal 2003a). L2 users: 1,800,000 in Zambia (Crystal 2003a). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1991, Constitution, Article 1(3)). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English. Comments: Non-indigenous. More Information Gujarati [guj] 12,000 in Zambia (1985 IEM). Status: 5 (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Gujarati. Comments: Non-indigenous. Hindu. More Information Ila [ilb] Central and Southern provinces: Kafue river west bend, west of Sala [shq] language area.

82,900 (2010 census). Ethnic population: 97,400 (2010 census). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chiila, Shukulumbwe, Sukulumbwe. Dialects: Lundwe, Lumbu, Ila. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Lenje-Tonga (M.63). More Information Kaonde [kqn] North-Western, Central, Western, and Copperbelt provinces: northwest of Mumbwa. 206,000 in Zambia (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 242,000. Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Chikahonde, Chikaonde, Kahonde, Kawonde, Luba Kaonde. Dialects: None known. Not closely related to other languages.

Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, L, Kaonde (L.41). More Information Khwe [xuu] Western province: east of Zambezi river, Luzu village area, 6 villages; east of Luzu, Sakulinda village; southeast Senanga district, 3 remote settlements: Kashesha ki liwanika, Namafumbwana, and Sanze. 200 in Zambia (Brenzinger 2013). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: !Hukwe, Black Bushman, Cazama, Glanda-Khwe, Hukwe, Kxoe, Mbara Kwengo, Mbarakwena, Schekere, Vazama, Water Bushmen, Xu, Xuhwe, Xun, Zama. Dialects: ||Xo-Kxoe. Classification: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Kalahari Khoe, Northwest. Comments: Non-indigenous.

More Information Kuhane [sbs] Western province: southeast corner; Southern province: southwest corner; along Zambezi river. 1,350 in Zambia (2010 census). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Chikuahane, Chikwahane, Echisubia, Ikuhane, Subia, Subiya, Supia. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Subiya-Totela (K.42). Comments: Traditional religion, Christian. More Information Kunda [kdn] Eastern province; Lusaka province: Luangwa district; small areas in Central and Northern provinces. 6,760 in Zambia (2010 census). Ethnic population: 31,300 (2010 census). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Chikunda.

Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.42). Comments: Distinct from Kunda dialect of Chichewa [nya] or Kunda of Democratic Republic of the Congo. More Information Lala-Bisa [leb] Central, Eastern, and Northern provinces: east along Luangwa river (Bisa), southwest (Lala); Copperbelt province: Masaiti district. 353,000 in Zambia (2010 census). 750 Ambo, 112,000 Bisa, 201,000 Lala, 1,620 Luano, 37,700 Swaka (2010 census). Ethnic population: 590,000 (2010 census). 2,450 Ambo, 198,000 Bisa, 392,000 Lala (2010 census). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Biza-Lala.

Dialects: Ambo, Luano, Swaka, Bisa (Biisa, Ichibisa, Wisa, Wiza), Lala (Ichilala). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Lala-Bisa-Lamba (M.51). More Information Lamba [lam] Central, Copperbelt, and North-Western provinces. 201,000 in Zambia (2010 census). 198,000 Lamba, 2,250 Lima (2010 census). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chilamba, Ichilamba. Dialects: Lamba, Lima (Bulima). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Lala-Bisa-Lamba (M.54). More Information Lambya [lai] Northern province: Isoka district. 2,000 in Zambia (1958).

Status: 6a (Vigorous). Dialects: Southern Lambya. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Nyiha-Safwa (M.201). More Information Lenje [leh] Central province: Lukanga swamp area; northern Lusaka province; small border areas in south Copperbelt province. 128,000 (2010 census). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chilenje, Chinamukuni, Ciina, Ciina Mukuni, Lengi, Lenji, Mukuni. Dialects: Twa (Lukanga), Lenje. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Lenje-Tonga (M.61). More Information Lozi [loz] Western province: Barotseland; Southern province: Livingstone area. 612,000 in Zambia (2010 census).

Total users in all countries: 721,000. Status: 4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in portions of Western and Southern provinces. Alternate Names: Kololo, Kolololo, Rotse, Rozi, Rutse, Silozi, Tozvi. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Lozi (K.21). Comments: Recognized for educational and administrative purposes. More Information Luchazi [lch] North-Western province. 29,600 in Zambia (2010 census). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chiluchazi, Cujazi, Lucazi, Lujash, Lujasi, Lutshase, Luxage, Ponda. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.13). Comments: Non-indigenous.

More Information Lunda [lun] North-Western province, Mwinilunga and northern Kabompo districts; Western province: Kabongo river area; Luapula province: between Mweru and Bangweula lakes. 225,000 in Zambia (2010 census). 214,000 Lunda, 10,900 Ndembu (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 403,000. Status: 4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in Northwest Province, Copperbelt. Alternate Names: Chilunda. Dialects: Kosa (Koosa), Ndembu, Humbu, Kawiku. Reportedly similar to Ruund [rnd] of Democratic Republic of the Congo. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, L, Lunda (L.52). Comments: Distinct from Luunda, a dialect of Bemba [bem] . More Information Luvale [lue] North-Western and Western provinces.

171,000 in Zambia (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 635,000. Status: 2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in Northwestern and Western provinces. Alternate Names: Chiluvale, Lovale, Lubale, Luena, Lwena. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.14). Comments: Traditional religion, Christian. More Information Luyana [lyn] Western province: east Lozi-Luyana area. 2,880 in Zambia (2010 census). 1,000 Kwandi, 1,400 Kwangwa, 480 Luyana (2010 census). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Esiluyana, Louyi, Lui, Luyi, Rouyi. Dialects: Kwandi, Kwanga (Kwangwa), Mbumi (Mbume). Mbowe dialect may be a separate language.

Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Luyana (K.31). More Information Mambwe-Lungu [mgr] Northern province: south of Lake Tanganyika. 207,000 in Zambia (2010 census). 64,500 Lungu, 142,000 Mambwe (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 502,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Mambe-Lungu, Mambwe-Rungu. Dialects: Mambwe (Cimambwe, Ichimambwe, Kimambwe), Lungu (Adong, Ichirungu, Rungu), Fipa-Mambwe (Kifipa cha Kimambwe). Uncertain intelligibility between Fipa-Mambwe [fip] (Tanzania) and other dialects. Minor dialect differences between Mambwe and Lungu.

Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Fipa-Mambwe (M.14). More Information Mashi [mho] Western province. 18,800 in Zambia (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 21,630. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Masi. Dialects: North Kwandu, South Kwandu, Mashi. Dialect subgroup. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Luyana (K.34). Comments: Nomadic. Different from Mashi [shr] (Shi) which is related to Havu [hav] (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Traditional religion. More Information Mbowe [mxo] North-Western province: Zambezi district; Western province: Lukulu district; Zambezi river area. 460 (2010 census). Status: 6a (Vigorous).

Alternate Names: Esimbowe. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Luyana (K.32). More Information Mbukushu [mhw] Western province: Kwando river area. 5,000 in Zambia (2006 J. Leclerc). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Gova, Kusso, Mambukush, Mampukush, Mbukuhu, Mbukushi, Thimukushu. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Luyana (K.333). Comments: Traditional religion, Christian. More Information Mbunda [mck] North-Western province: north Barotseland. 83,000 in Zambia (2010 census). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chimbunda, Gimbunda, Kimbunda, Mbuunda.

Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.15). Comments: Different from Mbunda (Mbuun, Mbunu) which is a dialect of Mpuono [zmp] (Democratic Republic of the Congo). More Information Nkoya [nka] Western and Southern provinces: Mankoya area; North-Western province: Kabompo district. 36,200 (2010 census). 1,190 Mashasha, 35,000 Nkoya (2010 census). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Shinkoya. Dialects: Nkoya, Mbowela (Mbwela, Mbwera, Shimbwera), Lushangi, Shasha (Mashasha), Lukolwe (Kolwe). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, L, Nkoya (L.60).

More Information Nsenga [nse] Eastern province: Petauke district; Lusaka province: Chongwe and Luangwa districts. 405,000 in Zambia (2010 census). 76,000 Ngoni, 329,000 Nsenga (2010 census). Ethnic population: 1,570,000 (2010 census). 503,000 Ngoni, 661,000 Nsenga (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 562,100. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chinsenga, Cinsenga, Senga. Dialects: Nsenga, Ngoni (Mpezeni), Kunda-Nsenga. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Senga-Sena (N.41). Comments: Distinct from Senga dialect of Tumbuka [tum] . Christian, traditional religion.

More Information Nyamwanga [mwn] Northern province: eastern portion; Eastern province: Chama district. 140,000 in Zambia (2010 census). 135,000 Nyamwanga, 4,220 Tambo (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 227,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Ichinamwanga, Inamwanga, Mwanga, Namwanga. Dialects: Iwa, Tambo (Tembo). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Nyiha-Safwa (M.22). More Information Nyiha [nih] Northern and Eastern provinces; Isoka and Chama districts; near Malawi border. 356,000 in Zambia (Johnstone 1993). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Ishinyiha, Nyika, Nyixa. Dialects: Wandya, Nyika.

Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Nyiha-Safwa (M.23). Comments: May be the same as Lambya [lai] of Tanzania and Malawi. Different from Nyika [nyf] (Nika, Giryama) of Kenya. More Information Nyika [nkv] Northern province: Isoka district, Mulekatembo village area. 5,000 in Zambia (2007). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Chinyika, Kinyika. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Nyiha-Safwa (M.23). More Information Pidgin Bantu [fng] Widely dispersed, towns and mining areas. L2 users: 5,100 in Zambia (2006). Ethnic population: No ethnic community. Status: 9 (Second language only).

Alternate Names: Basic Zulu, Chikabanga, “Fanagalo” (pej.), “Fanakalo” (pej.), “Fanekolo” (pej.), “Isikula” (pej.), Isilololo, Isipiki, Lololo, Piki. Dialects: Cikabanga. Classification: Pidgin, Zulu based. Comments: Non-indigenous. Rejected by most Africans because it was imported from Zimbabwe and South Africa by Europeans who did not want Africans to learn English (Adler 1977). More Information Sala [shq] Central province; west Lusaka and Southern (Mazabuka) provinces. 23,500 (2010 census). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Dialects: None known. Intelligible of Tonga [toi] and possibly Ila [ilb] . Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Lenje-Tonga (M.631). More Information Settla [sta] Central province: north of Lusaka city.

Ethnic population: No ethnic community. Status: 9 (Second language only). Alternate Names: Kisetla, Kisettla. Classification: Pidgin, Swahili based. Comments: Limited vocabulary and grammar. May also be in Kenya. More Information Shona [sna] Lusaka province: southeast of the capital; Southern province: Slavonga district; possibly Central province: near Zimbabwe border. 12,700 in Zambia (2010 census). Ethnic population: 21,900 (2010 census). Status: 5 (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Chishona. Dialects: Korekore (Budya, Goba, Gova, Gowa, Korikori, Makorekore, Northern Shona, Wakorikori). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10). Comments: Korekore is the main dialect in Zambia, with subdialect Goba. More Information Simaa [sie] Western province: Lozi-Luyana area.

16,700 (2010 census). 1,980 Imilangu, 9,300 Koma, 2,870 Mwenyi, 2,530 Simaa. Ethnic population: 27,600 (2010 census). 3,630 Imilangu, 14,300 Koma, 4,600 Mwenyi, 5,000 Simaa (2010 census). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Dialects: Simaa, Mulonga, Imilangu, Mwenyi, Nyengo, Makoma (Koma), Liyuwa. Imigangu may be a dialect of Luyana [lyn] . Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Luyana (K.35). More Information Soli [sby] Lusaka province; Central province: Mkusi district, east of Lusaka; Southern province: border areas. 34,100 (2010 census).

Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Chisoli. Dialects: A more distinct language or dialect of the Tonga group. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Lenje-Tonga (M.62). More Information Swahili, Congo [swc] Northern province: Kaputa and Mporokoso districts; Copperbelt province: Masaiti district. Status: 3 (Wider communication). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.40). Comments: Non-indigenous. More Information Taabwa [tap] Congo-Kinshasa border, Northern and Luapula provinces surrounding Lake Chishi. 31,600 in Zambia (2010 census). 4,120 Shila, 27,500 Taabwa (2010 census). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Ichitaabwa, Rungu, Tabwa.

Dialects: Shila. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Bemba (M.41). Comments: Traditional religion. More Information Tonga [toi] Southern province: with Ila [ilb] language users; Western province: Sesheke district; small Lusaka border areas. 1,330,000 in Zambia (2010 census), increasing. 55,600 Toka-Leya, 1,270,000 Tonga (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 1,467,000. Status: 2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in Southern and Western provinces. Alternate Names: Chitonga, Plateau Tonga, Zambezi. Dialects: Chitonga, Leya, Toka (Southern Tonga), We (Valley Tonga), Shanjo (Sanjo), Twa of Kafwe (Kafue Twa), Mala.

Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Lenje-Tonga (M.64). Comments: Different from Tonga [tog] of Malawi, Tonga [toh] of Mozambique, or Tsonga (Tonga) [tso] of Mozambique. More Information Totela [ttl] Western province: north of Subia; Southern rovince: Kazungula district. 1,120 (2010 census). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Echitotela. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Subiya-Totela (K.41). More Information Tumbuka [tum] Eastern province: northern third; Northern province: Isoka district. 366,000 in Zambia (2010 census).

79,500 Senga, 285,000 Tumbuka, 2,000 Yombe (2010 census). Status: 5 (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Chitumbuka, Tambuka, Tew, Timbuka, Tombucas, Tumboka. Dialects: Chitumbuka, Chikamanga (Henga, Kamanga), Kandawire, Chipoka, Yombe, Senga, Fungwe, Wenya, Nenya, Ngoni (Magodi), Fililwa (Filirwa), Hewe (Hewa), Nthali. Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, N, Tumbuka (N.21). Comments: Senga dialect is distinct from Nsenga [nse] of Petauke District. More Information Yao [yao] Eastern province: Chipata district, Kapata township; Katete district. 200 families or more in the 1970s (F. Banda).

Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Achawa, Adsawa, Adsoa, Ajawa, Ayawa, Ayo, Chichawa, Chiyao, Ciyao, Djao, Haiao, Hiao, Hyao, Jao, Veiao, Wajao. Dialects: Makale (Cimakale), Massaninga (Cimassaninga). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, P, Yao (P.21). Comments: Non-indigenous. Muslim. More Information Yauma [yax] Western province: southwest corner, Kwando river area. 5,100 in Zambia (2006 J. Leclerc). Status: 6b (Threatened). Classification: Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, K, Ciokwe-Luchazi (K.16). More Information Zambian Sign Language [zsl] Scattered.

14,400 (2008 WFD). 14,400 deaf signers out of 16,000 total deaf (2008 World Federation of the Deaf). Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: ZAMSL. Dialects: None known. Indigenous signing developed in an oralist Deaf school starting in 1955, with later influence from American Sign Language [ase] due to its use in education (1997 V. Chanda). Fingerspelling system similar to French Sign Language [fsl] . Classification: Sign language. Languages Spoken in Zambia | EmbassyPretoria.com Zambian Money, Services & More Languages Spoken in Zambia The people of Zambia speak English. The main national and official language of Zambia is English. English is a West Germanic language and placed 3rd based on number of native speakers of 310 million. We’ve released a collection of standard English tourist language keyword phrases or words, which a visitor can make use of to manage in Zambia. We recommend you learn them from English holiday phrases internet site.

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Make use of English audio and online courses for the first 100 phrases and basic grammar in English language. After the first 100 words in English, concentrate on becoming conversational. Research has revealed that the most common 100 words in English language account for 50% of most spoken conversation. The most everyday 1,000 phrases account for 80% of all spoken communication. “How do you say X?” in English is an essential sentence you can possibly learn. Master it early and employ it often. Top ^ What do I need to study English language? English language courses are available as conventional language courses, audio programs and online courses. The traditional English courses are comprised of dialogue textbooks, explanation of English grammer and exercises. Regularly they are available either in CDs or MP3s. Many of these courses are intended for complete newbies or individuals with only minimum understanding of the English language. One of the main suppliers these English language courses is Linguaphone who also provide courses for in excess of 100 languages and consist of all audio courses, explorer courses for those who just want to learn the fundamentals, and in-depth courses for more serious students.

The other supplier of language courses is Teach Yourself and Colloquial courses and they offer a wide variety of languages. English Audio Courses is frequently made of CDs or MP3s with limited printed content. All dialogues, exercises, instructions and explanations of %%are recorded and the focus of these courses is teaching you to comprehend and speak the language. Pimsleur language courses offers you authentic pronunciation in English and a achievable level of vocabulary. Computer Based Language Learning are offered on CD-ROMs and DVDs. Each of these courses often contain dialogues, audio, exercises and tests in English. Teach Me! and Transparent Language present you with a wide selection of language courses on CDs and MP3s with vocabularly and grammar exercises. Zambia grapples with language challenge | Africa | DW.COM | 14.02.2013 Africa Zambia grapples with language challenge Almost 50 years after independence from Britain, English is still Zambia's main official language. But the government has now promised an overhaul, giving more priority to local languages. "The world is English" is a common saying in Zambia and many Zambian parents evidently believe the sooner their children learn to speak English the better.

Yet their country has a rich linguistic heritage and seven out of an estimated 70 local languages have official status: Bemba, Nyanja, Lozi, Tonga, Kaonde, Luvale and Lunda. Spoken language is far more than just a medium for day-to-day communication. It is also a vehicle for handing down sayings, teachings and even wisdom from one generation to the next. Lost generation Many people will find it truly alarming that Zambia now has a generation of young people who haven't mastered any language properly. They can't speak their mother tongue and their command of English is faulty. Nine-year-old Natasha Banda from northern Zambia can't speak any of her country's local languages. "My mum never taught me my traditional language," she told DW. "I am just sitting at the table and they are speaking this certain language, I am not sure (which). All I know is English," she said. Phylis Chibuye, a mother of two small children, believes parents need to expose their offspring to both English and local languages, but need to keep the balance right.

"I always ensure that when we are at home we speak our local language," she said Zambia has many local languages though English dominates in education Mweetwa Maimbolwa works for Zambia's Ministry of Education and evidently believes the problem is not as serious as many might fear. He said that the country needs "to ensure we have a program where local languages will be used as a medium of communication from grade one to twelve." Global language So how did Zambia's local languages end up languishing in the shadows? Friday Mulenga is a historian at the University of Zambia. He explains that Bemba, Lozi and Tonga were unacceptable as national languages and English was therefore accepted as the best possible compromise. "English is just a language which we use to instruct pupils in schools and students in colleges," he said. Rising to the language's defense, he added "If parents don't teach their children their mother tongue, it is not the fault of English. English is a global language, we need it whether you like it or not!" Zambia is governed by President Michael Sata's Patriotic Front party, which was swept to power in elections in 2011.

The party's general secretary Wynter Kabimba said that the country's education system was still steeped in colonialism and did not meet the challenges of a developing country. The government, he added, intended to change this. Local Zambian media reported on Thursday, 14 February that the government had launched a revised school curriculum under which English would be the language of instruction from grade five (age 11) upwards. Primary teaching for younger children would be in one of the official seven local languages. DW recommends The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency Background: The territory of Northern Rhodesia was administered by the former British South Africa Company from 1891 until it was taken over by the UK in 1923. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices, economic mismanagement, and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule and propelled the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) to government.

The subsequent vote in 1996, however, saw increasing harassment of opposition parties and abuse of state media and other resources. The election in 2001 was marked by administrative problems, with three parties filing a legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA. MWANAWASA was reelected in 2006 in an election that was deemed free and fair. Upon his death in August 2008, he was succeeded by his vice president, Rupiah BANDA, who won a special presidential byelection later that year. The MMD and BANDA lost to the Patriotic Front (PF) and Michael SATA in the 2011 general elections. SATA, however, presided over a period of haphazard economic management and attempted to silence opposition to PF policies. SATA died in October 2014 and was succeeded by his vice president, Guy SCOTT, who served as interim president until special elections were held in January 2015.

Edgar LUNGU won the presidential by election and will complete SATA's term, which expires in August 2016 when new presidential, as well as parliamentary and local elections, will be held.

Geography :: ZAMBIA party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe; Lake Kariba on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border forms the world's largest reservoir by volume (180 cu km; 43 cu mi) People and Society :: ZAMBIA Population: 15,510,711 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 Ethnic groups: Bemba 21%, Tonga 13.6%, Chewa 7.4%, Lozi 5.7%, Nsenga 5.3%, Tumbuka 4.4%, Ngoni 4%, Lala 3

.1%, Kaonde 2.9%, Namwanga 2.8%, Lunda (north Western) 2.6%, Mambwe 2.5%, Luvale 2.2%, Lamba 2.1%, Ushi 1.9%, Lenje 1.6%, Bisa 1.6%, Mbunda 1.2%, other 13.8%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.) Languages: Bembe 33.4%, Nyanja 14.7%, Tonga 11.4%, Lozi 5.5%, Chewa 4.5%, Nsenga 2.9%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda (North Western) 1.9%, Kaonde 1.8%, Lala 1.8%, Lamba 1.8%, English (official) 1.7%, Luvale 1.5%, Mambwe 1.3%, Namwanga 1.2%, Lenje 1.1%, Bisa 1%, other 9.7%, unspecified 0.2% note: Zambia is said to have over 

70 languages, although many of these may be considered dialects; all of Zambia's major languages are members of the Bantu family (2010 est.) Demographic profile: Zambia’s poor, youthful population consists primarily of Bantu-speaking people representing nearly 70 different ethnicities.

Zambia’s high fertility rate continues to drive rapid population growth, averaging almost 3 percent annually between 2000 and 2010. The country’s total fertility rate has fallen by less than 1.5 children per woman during the last 30 years and still averages among the world’s highest, almost 6 children per woman, largely because of the country’s lack of access to family planning services, education for girls, and employment for women. Zambia also exhibits wide fertility disparities based on rural or urban location, education, and income. Poor, uneducated women from rural areas are more likely to marry young, to give birth early, and to have more children, viewing children as a sign of prestige and recognizing that not all of their children will live to adulthood. HIV/AIDS is prevalent in Zambia and contributes to its low life expectancy. Zambian emigration is low compared to many other African countries and is comprised predominantly of the well-educated. The small amount of brain drain, however, has a major impact in Zambia because of its limited human capital and lack of educational infrastructure for developing skilled professionals in key fields. For example, Zambia has few schools for training doctors, nurses, and other health care workers.

Its spending on education is low compared to other sub-Saharan countries.

0-14 years: 46.08% (male 3,590,466/female 3,556,756) 15-24 years: 20% (male 1,550,183/female 1,552,706) 25-54 years: 28.65% (male 2,239,661/female 2,204,823) 55-64 years: 2.91% (male 211,039/female 240,156) 65 years and over: 2.35% (male 158,827/female 206,094) (2016 est.) population pyramid: Executive branch: chief of state: President Edgar LUNGU (since 25 January 2015); Vice President Inonge WINA (since 26 January 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Edgar

 LUNGU (since 25 January 2015); Vice President Inonge WINA (since 26 January 2015 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president from among members of the National Assembly elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); last held on 11 August 2016 (next to be held in 2021) election results: Edgar LUNGU reelected president; percent of vote - Edgar LUNGU (PF) 50.4%, Hakainde HICHILEMA (UPND) 47.6%, other 2.0% Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly (164 seats; 156 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, and 8 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms); note - 6 additional electoral seats were added for the 11 August 2016 election, up from 150 electoral seats in the 2011 election elections: last held on 11 August 2016 (next to

 be held in 2021) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PF 80, UPND 58, MMD 3, FDD 1, independent 14 Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and deputy chief justices, and at least 11 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice-president, and 11 judges); note - the Constitutional Court began operation in June 2016 judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president upon the advice of the 9-member Judicial Service Commission headed by the chief justice, and ratified by the National Assembly; judges normally serve until age 65 subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Industrial Relations Court; subordinate courts (three levels, based on upper limit of money involved); Small Claims Court; local courts (2 grades, based on upper limit of money involved) Alliance for Democracy and Development or ADD [Charles MILUPI] Forum for Democracy and Development or FDD [Edith NAWAKWI] Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD [Nevers MUMBA] Patriotic Front or PF [Ed

gar LUNGU] United Party for National Development or UPND [Hakainde HICHILEMA] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO chief of mission: Ambassador Palan MULONDA (since 8 January 2013) chancery: 2419 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-9717 through 9

719 FAX: [1] (202) 332-0826 chief of mission: Ambassador Eric T.

SCHULTZ (since 12 December 2014) embassy: Eastern end of Kabulonga Road, Ibex Hill, Lusaka mailing address: P. O.

Box 31617, Lusaka telephone: [260] (211) 357-000 Flag description: green field with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag; green stands for the country's natural resources and vegetation, red symbolizes the struggle for freedom, black the people of Zambia, and orange the country's mineral wealth; the eagle represents the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems name: "Lumbanyeni Zambia" (Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free) lyrics/music: multiple/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA note: adopted 1964; the melody, from the popular song "God Bless Africa," is the same as that of Tanzania but with different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem Economy :: ZAMBIA Economy - overview: Zambia had one of the world’s fastest growing economies for the ten years up to 2014, with real GDP growth averaging roughly 6.7% per annum, though growth slowed in 2015 and 2016 to just over

 3%, due to falling copper prices, reduced power generation, and Despite recent strong economic growth and its status as a lower middle-income country, widespread and extreme rural poverty and high unemployment levels remain significant problems, made worse by a high birth rate, a relatively high HIV/AIDS burden, and b Poor management of water resources has also contributed to a power generation shortage, which has hampered industrial productivity and contributed to an increase in year-on-year inflation to more than 20% in 2016.

Zambia’s currency, the kwacha, also depre 14 billion kWh (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 11 billion kWh (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 1.3 billion kWh (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 13 million kWh (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 2.3 million kW (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 0.4% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 212 0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 99.6% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 Language groups - Zambia Travel Guide Zambia Travel Guide Home Language groups Below are detailed some of the major language groups, arranged alphabetically.

This is only a rough guide to the many languages and dialects of Zambia's people. Although these different language groupings do loosely correspond to what many describe as Zambia's tribes, the distinctions are blurred further by the natural linguistic ability of most Zambians. Whilst it is normal to speak English plus one local language, many Zambians will speak a number of local languages fluently. When the colonial powers carved up Africa, the divisions between the countries bore only a passing resemblance to the traditional areas of these various ethnic groups. Thus many of the groups here are split between several countries. Note that the estimates of populations quoted below are based on surveys done during the 1980s, and average estimated population growth rates since then. Bemba Bemba is the first language of about two and a quarter million Zambians: almost a quarter of the country's population. It is spoken in the rural areas of northern Zambia, from the Luapula River eastwards to Mpika, Kasama and beyond. Because people from these areas were the original workers in the mines of the Copperbelt, Bemba has subsequently achieved the status of lingua franca in the major urban areas of the Copperbelt and Lusaka.

It is recognised for administration and educational purposes within Zambia, whilst outside its borders Bemba is also spoken by over 150,000 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and around 37,000 in Tanzania. Kaonde Kaonde-speakers live mostly around the northern side of Kafue National Park, centring on the area around Kasempa, and extending southeast as far as Mumbwa. They are one of Zambia's larger language groups, and probably number about 200,000. Lozi There are about 500,000 Lozi-speakers in Zambia, concentrated in the western and southern provinces, around Barotseland and Livingstone. The centre of Lozi culture is the rich agricultural floodplain around the Upper Zambezi River – and it is here that the Ku-omboka takes place each year. Luchazi This language has only a small number of speakers, perhaps 70,000 in the west of Zambia – less than 1% of the country's population. There are thought to be a similar number of Luchazi-speaking people in Angola.

Lunda Not to be confused with Luunda, which is a dialect of Bemba, Lunda is the first language of about 230,000 Zambians and is spoken in areas of the Copperbelt, as well as nearby DRC and Angola. It is officially taught in primary schools, and can occasionally be heard on radio or seen in newspapers in the area. Luvale Luvale is an important language in Angola, where it is spoken by almost one million people. In Zambia there are only about 215,000 people whose first language is Luvale, and they live in the northwestern and western provinces of Zambia. Luyana The Luyana-speaking people are a small group, perhaps numbering 130,000 in total. Their language has not been well documented, though it is spoken in Zambia, Angola, Namibia and also Botswana. In Zambia it is found almost exclusively in the Western Province. Mambwe-Lungu These are other languages that need further study – so far they appear to differ from each other only slightly, as dialects would.

In total about 280,000 Zambians count them as their first language – about 3% of the population. Their stronghold is in the northeast of the northern province, south of Lake Tanganyika. As you might expect, they are also spoken in Tanzania. Mashi Mashi seems to be spoken by only a tiny number of Zambians, perhaps only 25,000 people, who are often nomadic within a southwestern area of the western province. Little has been documented about this language – though it has been noted that virtually all the native speakers of Mashi follow traditional religious practices, rather than the more recently introduced Christian beliefs. Mbunda The first language of about 130,000 Zambians, Mbunda is spoken in the north of Barotseland and the northern side of western Zambia – as well as in Angola. Nkoya-Mbwela Nkoya and Mbwela are two closely related languages. Mbwela is often referred to as a dialect of Nkoya, though here we have grouped them together as equals.

They also have only a tiny number of speakers – around 80,000 people – who are found around the Mankoya area, in Zambia's western and southern provinces. Nsenga There are thought to be over 330,000 people speaking Nsenga as their first language, of whom the vast majority live in Zambia. These are clustered around the area of Petauke – near to the borders with Zimbabwe and Mozambique, across which the language is also spoken. Nyanja Nyanja is the Bantu language most often encountered by visitors in Zambia. It is widely used in much of the country, including the key cities of Lusaka and Livingstone. Nyanja is sometimes described as not being a language per se, but rather a common skill enabling people of varying tribes living in eastern, central and southern parts of Zambia and Malawi to communicate without following the strict grammar of specific local languages. In other words, like Swahili and other 'universal' languages, Nyanja is something of a lingua franca for Zambia. Nyanja is certainly the official language of the police, and is widely used for administrative and educational purposes.

About a million Zambians use Nyanja as their first language – mostly in the eastern and central areas of the country – and there may be double that number using the language in Malawi. Then there are around 330,000 Nyanja-speakers in Zimbabwe, and perhaps 500,000 in Mozambique. A total of approaching four million people in the subcontinent speak Nyanja as a first language. Nyika Also known as Nyiha, or more precisely as Chi-Nyika, Nyika is spoken most widely in Tanzania, and also in Malawi. In Zambia it is used around the Isoka and Chama areas, across to the Malawi border. (It is closely related to the language known as Ichi-Lambya in Tanzania and Malawi.) Tonga Tonga is the language of a small minority of Zimbabweans, many of whom were displaced south by the creation of Lake Kariba. However, in Zambia it is the first language of around one million people, about 11% of the country's population, and is widely used in the media. Tonga is distributed throughout the south of the country, with its highest concentration in the middle Zambezi valley.

Tumbuka Zambia has about 430,000 people who speak Tumbuka as a first language, mostly living on the eastern side of the country. Outside Zambia many Tumbuka-speakers live in Malawi and Tanzania, bringing the total number to about two million. Other ethnic groups White Zambians There are a small number of white Zambians, very different from the expat community (see below) who are often white but simply working in the country on a temporary basis. Many white Zambians will trace their families back to colonial immigrants who came over during British rule, but most will regard themselves as Zambian rather than, say, British. This is generally an affluent group of people, and many of the country's businesses and especially the safari companies, are owned and run by white Zambians. Asian Zambians Like the white Zambians, many people of Asian origin came here during the colonial period. When the British ruled African colonies like Zambia as well as India, there was movement of labour from Asia to Africa. Now, like the white Zambians, this is generally an affluent group.

On the whole, Zambians of Asian descent retain a very strong sense of Asian identity and culture, and many are traders or own small shops. Expatriates Distinct from Zambians, there is a large 'expat' community in Zambia. These foreigners usually come to Zambia for two or three years, to work on short-term contracts, often for either multi-national companies or aid agencies. Most are highly skilled individuals who come to share their knowledge with Zambian colleagues – often teaching skills that are in short supply in Zambia. In the 1990s there was a migration of trained Zambian teachers and lecturers to neighbouring countries, where they are paid better, but this has now stabilised.

Question: What is the official language of Zambia?
Answer: English