Bemba

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A language of Zambia

ISO 639-3
bem
Alternate Names
Chibemba, Chiwemba, Cibemba, Ichibemba, Wemba
Population

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.

Location

North, Copperbelt and Luapula provinces. Also in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Language Maps
Language Status

2 (Provincial). De facto provincial language in North, Copperbelt, and Luapula provinces.

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, M, Bemba (M.42)
Dialects

Chishinga, Kabende, Lembue, Lomotua (Lomotwa), Lunda (Luapula), Mukulu, Ngoma, Ng’umbo, Nwesi, Town Bemba, Twa of Bangweulu, Unga. Town Bemba has a Bemba base with heavy code mixing with English and neighboring Bantu languages.

Typology

SVO

Language Use

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. All ages. Positive attitudes.

Language Development
Taught in primary schools. Newspapers. New media. Radio programs. Dictionary. Bible: 1956–1983.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bemba
Writing
Braille script. Latin script, primary usage.
Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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