All About Namibia’s Native Language
Only 3% of Namibians speak English at home, despite it being the only official language. The most widely used language is Oshiwambo. The national language that is most generally understood is Afrikaans. The majority of white people in the area speak either German or Afrakaans.
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Which language does Namibia speak? There are several possible languages spoken in Namibia, and each has its own history and language characteristics. For example, Oshiwambo is the main language spoken in the Caprivi region, but is also widely spoken in neighbouring Zambia, and Fwe and Chifwe are the two most widely spoken dialects in the country.
The Bushman language group, however, is threatened by the influx of non-Namibian people, and only 11.3% of Namibia’s population speaks Bushman. The official language of Namibia is English, though there are 13 other national languages. Ten of these indigenous African languages are spoken by the majority of Namibians, including Oshiwambo. Three Indo-European languages are also spoken in Namibia, including Afrikaans and German. The indigenous Khoekhoe and Ju/’hoan languages are also widely spoken, though the latter are primarily spoken by a minority of Namibians.
Although English is the official language of Namibia, a small percentage of the population doesn’t speak it. Most people use Afrikaans as their first language, and most visitors know a few phrases. Hallo is the Namibian equivalent of “hello” – the same way Germans say guten tag. Oshiwambo, however, abbreviates the word “hello” into Wa lalapo, which is a combination of Hello and How.
Although English is the official language of Namibia, fewer than 1% of the population speak it. The remaining population speaks Portuguese and is mostly composed of Angolan citizens. The country is the only African nation to have two official languages, but English has been a favored language for the government, education and business. So, if you’re thinking of visiting Namibia consider the above facts. It might surprise you! The country is home to a thriving and cosmopolitan culture. Although English is the official language of Namibia, there are still many other languages spoken by the locals, including San, Nama, and Damara.
As a result, it’s important to know which language the locals speak if you want to learn more about the country and its wildlife. In addition to English, the country has a high crime rate and bag snatching is very common. Namibians tend to be friendly and helpful, but there are also a few dangers.
Despite Namibia’s relatively small size, it has been home to a long history of occupation and colonization. German forces occupied the country from 1884 to 1915, and the United Kingdom later mandated it to the United Kingdom. After the First World War, Namibia was administered by the Republic of South Africa. During this time, Namibia was under apartheid rule. It achieved full independence from South Africa in 1990.