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Zambia
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1 (National)
English
[eng]
1 (National). Statutory national language (1991, Constitution, Article 1(3)). 110,000 in Zambia (Crystal 2003).
2 (Provincial)
Bemba
[bem]
2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in North, Copperbelt, and Luapula provinces. 3,300,000 in Zambia (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001), decreasing. 741,000 Bemba, 32,000 Luunda, 5,190 Shila, 26,400 Tabwa, 16,800 Cishinga, 28,200 Kabende, 6,710 Mukulu, 42,600 Ng’umbo, 14,000 Twa-Unga (1969 census). Population total all countries: 3,600,000.
Luvale
[lue]
2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in Northwestern and Western provinces. 168,000 in Zambia (2006). Population total all countries: 632,000.
Tonga
[toi]
2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in Southern and Western provinces. 990,000 in Zambia (2006), increasing. 427,000 Tonga, 12,000 Toka, 7,900 Leya. Population total all countries: 1,127,000.
3 (Wider communication)
Pidgin Bantu
[fng]
3 (Wider communication). 5,100 L2 speakers in Zambia (2006).
Settla
[sta]
3 (Wider communication). No known L1 speakers.
Swahili, Congo
[swc]
3 (Wider communication).
4 (Educational)
Chichewa
[nya]
4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in Eastern, Central provinces. 803,000 in Zambia (2006). 197,000 Chewa, 257,000 Ngoni, 8,030 Kunda (1969 census).
Gujarati
[guj]
4 (Educational). 12,000 in Zambia (1985 IEM).
Kaonde
[kqn]
4 (Educational). 207,000 in Zambia (2006). Population total all countries: 243,000.
Lozi
[loz]
4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in portions of Western and Southern provinces. 610,000 in Zambia (2006). Population total all countries: 722,600.
Lunda
[lun]
4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in Northwest Province, Copperbelt. 450,000 in Zambia (2006). Population total all countries: 628,000.
Luyana
[lyn]
4 (Educational). 222,000 in Zambia (2006). 12,100 Kwandi, 29,300 Kwanga, 2,690 Mbowe (1969 census). Population total all countries: 409,500.
Tumbuka
[tum]
4 (Educational). 480,000 in Zambia (2006).
Zambian Sign Language
[zsl]
4 (Educational).
5 (Dispersed)
Afrikaans
[afr]
5 (Dispersed). 41,000 in Zambia (2006).
5 (Developing)
Aushi
[auh]
5 (Developing). 95,200 in Zambia (2000).
Chokwe
[cjk]
5 (Developing). 44,200 in Zambia (1986).
Ila
[ilb]
5 (Developing). 71,200 (2006).
Lala-Bisa
[leb]
5 (Developing). 580,000 in Zambia (2006). Lala 200,000 (1991 UBS).
Lamba
[lam]
5 (Developing). 219,000 in Zambia (2006).
Lenje
[leh]
5 (Developing). 156,000 (2006).
Luchazi
[lch]
5 (Developing). 54,400 in Zambia (1986).
Mambwe-Lungu
[mgr]
5 (Developing). 379,000 in Zambia (2006). Population total all countries: 674,000.
Mbunda
[mck]
5 (Developing). 156,000 in Zambia (2006). Population total all countries: 291,000.
Nkoya
[nka]
5 (Developing). 146,000 (2006).
Nsenga
[nse]
5 (Developing). 544,400 in Zambia (2006). Population total all countries: 752,500.
Nyamwanga
[mwn]
5 (Developing). 174,000 in Zambia (2006). 14,700 Iwa and 7,170 Tambo (1969 census). Population total all countries: 261,000.
Nyiha
[nih]
5 (Developing). 356,000 in Zambia (2006).
Shona
[sna]
5 (Developing). 30,200 in Zambia (2000). Several thousand Shona in Mumbwe.
Soli
[sby]
5 (Developing). 54,400 (1986).
Taabwa
[tap]
5 (Developing). 132,000 in Zambia (2006).
6a (Vigorous)
Bwile
[bwc]
6a (Vigorous). 12,400 in Zambia (1969 census). Population total all countries: 24,800.
Kuhane
[sbs]
6a (Vigorous). 5,490 in Zambia (1969 census).
Kunda
[kdn]
6a (Vigorous). 43,800 in Zambia (2000).
Lambya
[lai]
6a (Vigorous). 2,000 in Zambia (1958).
Mashi
[mho]
6a (Vigorous). 20,800 in Zambia (1969 census). Population total all countries: 23,630.
Mbowe
[mxo]
6a (Vigorous). 2,690 (1969 census).
Nyika
[nkv]
6a (Vigorous). 5,000 in Zambia (2007).
Sala
[shq]
6a (Vigorous). 20,400 (1986).
Simaa
[sie]
6a (Vigorous). 162,000 (2006). 8,000 in Makoma (Voegelin and Voegelin 1977).
Totela
[ttl]
6a (Vigorous). 14,000 in Zambia (Welmers 1971). Population total all countries: 14,100.
6b (Threatened)
Mbukushu
[mhw]
6b (Threatened). 5,000 in Zambia (2006).
Yao
[yao]
6b (Threatened). 200 families or more in the 1970s (F. Banda).
Yauma
[yax]
6b (Threatened). 5,100 in Zambia (2006).
7 (Shifting)
Khwe
[xuu]
7 (Shifting). 300 in Zambia (2006 M. Brenzinger).