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Which language is widely spoken in Zambia?
The census indicates that Zambia’s most widely spoken languages are Bemba (spoken by 35% of the population), Nyanja or Chewa (20%), Tonga (12%) and Lozi (6%). An urban variety of Nyanja (Chewa) is the lingua franca of the capital, Lusaka, used for communication between speakers of different languages.
How many languages are spoken in Zambia?
Numerous languages or dialects have been identified in Zambia. There are seven official vernacular languages: Bemba, Nyanja, Lozi, Tonga, Luvale, Lunda, and Kaonde, the latter three being languages of North-Western Province. English is the official language of government and is used for education, commerce, and law.
Is Swahili spoken in Zambia?
Swahili has official language status in Tanzania and Kenya and is also widely spoken in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Comoros Islands. It’s also spoken by smaller numbers in Burundi, Rwanda, Northern Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.
Is French spoken in Zambia?
Zambia’s official language is English, but there are more than 70 different languages and dialects spoken throughout the country. Signs and official documentation are almost always in English and/or Bemba and Nyanja, the country’s two most widely spoken local languages.
Why is English an official language in Zambia?
The country came under British rule during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, earning its independence as recently as 1964. During its time as a British colony, English became the official language of the country, used in government, business, and education.
Is Afrikaans spoken in Zambia?
Afrikaans is also spoken in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia.
How do you say thank you in Zambian?
Thank you. Ee / Eya / Inde (can also mean “indeed”).
What is Zambian English?
Zambian English English, the former colonial language, serves as a common language among educated Zambians. At independence in 1964, English was declared the national language. English is the first language of only 2% of Zambians but is the most commonly used second language.
How many languages in Zambia?
Zambia has 10 indigenous languages (or language groups) spoken as a mother tongue by more than 1% of the population, four of which are each spoken by large segments of the population: Bemba, Lozi , Nyanja, Tonga. Bemba is widely used by non-native-speakers as a lingua franca in urban areas, especially on the Copperbelt .
What is the official language of Zambia?
Almost 50 years after independence from Britain, English is still Zambia’s main official language. But the government has now promised an overhaul, giving more priority to local languages.
What are the traditions of Zambia?
Music in Zambia. Traditional Zambian music is characterised by a lot of singing and dancing. The instrument that is played more than any other is the drum, and there there are others such as the thumb piano (kalimba, kathandi, or kangombio in some Zambian languages, or mbira in some cultures), and the kilimba (marimba or xylophone).