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Ethnologue: Languages of the World
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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Africa > Namibia > Nama

Nama

A language of Namibia

ISO 639-3: naq

Population  200,000 in Namibia (2006). Population total all countries: 251,100.
Region  South central to Orange River, Great Namaland. Also in Botswana, South Africa.
Language map  Namibia, reference number 15
Alternate names   Berdama, Bergdamara, “Hottentot” , Kakuya Bushman, “Khoekhoegowab” , “Khoekhoegowap” , Maqua, Namakwa, Naman, Namaqua, Nasie, Rooi Nasie, Tama, Tamakwa, Tamma
Dialects  Damara, Sesfontein Damara, Namidama, Central Damara, Nama. Sesfontein Damara reportedly unintelligible to other dialect speakers.
Classification  Khoisan, Southern Africa, Central, Nama
Language use  Used in administration. Can be studied up to doctoral level at U. of Namibia, also used in administration.
Language development  Taught in primary and secondary schools. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1966.
Writing system  Latin script.
Comments  SOV. Pastoralist.

Also spoken in:

Botswana

Language name   Nama
Population  200 in Botswana (2006).
Region  Kgalagadi District, Tsabong, Makopong, Omaweneno, Tshane; Ghanzi District, villages along Ghanzi-Mamuno road.
Language map  Botswana
Alternate names  Berdama, Bergdamara, Dama, Damaqua, Damara, “Hottentot” , Kakuya Bushman Nasie, Khoekhoegowab, “Kupkaferrn” , “Kupkaffer” , Namakwa, Naman, Namaqua, Rooi Nasie, Tama, Tamakwa, Tamma
Language development  Literacy rate in L2: 80% Tswana [tsn], 10% English.
 

South Africa

Language name   Nama
Population  50,900 in South Africa (2006).
Language map  Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland, reference number 3
Alternate names  Berdama, Bergdamara, Dama, Damaqua, Damara, “Hottentot” , Kakuya Bushman, Khoekhoe, Khoeknoegowap, Khoi, Namakwa, Naman, Namaqua, Nasie, Rooi Nasie, Tama, Tamakwa, Tamma
Dialects  Gimsbok Nama.
Language development  Taught in secondary schools.
 

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

HASSELBRING, Sue, author. 2000. A sociolinguistic survey of the languages of Botswana.