Ndonga

A language of Namibia

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Ambo, Ochindonga, Oshindonga, Osindonga, Otjiwambo, Owambo

Population

807,000 (2006). 714,000 in Namibia, including Kwanyama and Kwambi (1991 census).

Location

Ovamboland.

Language Status

5 (Developing). Recognized language (2001, Education Act No. 16, Article 35), implemented by Ministry of Education, 2003.

Classification

Dialects

Eunda Kolonkadhi, Kwaludhi, Ngandyera. Ngandyera may be a separate language. Partially intelligible of Kwanyama [kua].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 75%. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1954–1986.

Language Resources

Writing

Latin script.

Other Comments

Glossonym: Otjiwambo and Owambo, together with the Kwanyama [kua] and Kwambi [kwm]. Christian, traditional religion.