Nambya

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A language of Zimbabwe

ISO 639-3
nmq
Alternate Names
Chinambya, Nambzya, Nanzva
Population

90,000 in Zimbabwe (Chebanne and Nthapelelang 2000). Population total all countries: 105,000.

Location

Matabeleland North Province, primarily Hwange district; also, Lupane and Binga districts; Bulawayo. Also in Botswana.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, S, Shona (S.10)
Dialects

Slight pronunciation difference in Jambezi area. Most similar to Kalanga [kck].

Language Use

Also use Ndebele [nde], Dombe [dov], Tonga [toi], Shona [sna], or English [eng].

Language Development
Literacy in Ndebele and English. Nambya is rarely written and not taught in school, so educated young people will often choose Ndebele [nde] as their mode of communication, unless speaking to other Nambya. NT: 1993.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nambya
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Glossonym: Nanzva by the Ndebele. Ethnonym: Banyai. Christian.

Also spoken in:

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