Ethnologue.com home

Ethnologue: Languages of the World
16th edition

Ethnologue: Languages of the World
US$ 100.00
Add to cart

Preview print edition

Most Recent
SIL Publications
Reduced Price SIL Publications


ABOUT SSL CERTIFICATES
Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Africa > Zambia > Bemba

Bemba

A language of Zambia

ISO 639-3: bem

Population  3,300,000 in Zambia (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001), decreasing. 741,114 Bemba, 32,022 Luunda, 5,190 Shila, 26,429 Tabwa, 16,833 Cishinga, 28,172 Kabende, 6,706 Mukulu, 42,298 Ng’umbo, 14,040 Twa-Unga (1969 census). Population total all countries: 3,602,000.
Region  North, Copperbelt, and Luapula provinces. Also in Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi.
Language map  Zambia, reference number 2
Alternate names   Chibemba, Chiwemba, Ichibemba, Wemba
Dialects  Lembue, Lomotua (Lomotwa), Ngoma, Nwesi, Town Bemba, Luunda (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.40)
Language use  Language of wider communication. Town Bemba is a widely used lingua franca in urban areas, and has higher social status than other languages except English. Bemba is recognized for educational and administrative purposes. All ages. Positive attitude.
Language development  Newspapers. Radio programs. Dictionary. Bible: 1956–1983.
Writing system  Latin script.
Comments  SVO. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Language name   Bemba
Population  300,000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (2000).
Region  Near southeast Katanga Province border.
Language map  Southern Democratic Republic of Congo
Alternate names  Chiwemba, Ichibemba, Wemba
Dialects  Lembue, Lomotua (Lomotwa), Ngoma, Nwesi, Shila.
Language use  Language of wider communication.
Comments  Distinct from Beembe [beq] (Bembe) of Congo (Brazzaville). Possibly in Zimbabwe. Shila: traditional religion, Christian.