Also Known As:
Khoekhoegowap, Khoekhoegowab, Khoe, Bergdama, Nama, Dama, Naman, Namakwa, Namaqua, Maqua, Tama, Tamma, Tamakwa, Berdama, Bergdamara, Damara, Damaqua, Khoi, Khiri, Grikwa, Griqua, Xrikwa, Xirikwa, Gry, Gri, "Kakuya Bushman Nasie", "Rooi Nasie", "Cape Hottentot", "Hottentot"
Dialects & Varieties
- ǂAkhoe
- Hai||om
- Gaub Damara
- Sesfontein
- Namidama
- Central Nama
- Gobabis
- Bondelswarts
The twelve modern Khoisan languages
Matthias Brenzinger. 2011. "The Twelve Modern Khoisan Languages." In Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Khoisan Languages and Linguistics,
Vulnerable
40 percent certain, based on the evidence available
190,000-210,000
Native Speakers Worldwide
Domains of Use
Domain Of Use 1
Used in most domains except for official ones such as government, mass media, education etc.
1
Speakers
Native or fluent speakers:
No results found.
Second-language speakers and learners
No results found.
Semi-speakers or rememberers
No results found.
Children:
No results found.
Young adults
No results found.
Older adults
No results found.
Elders
No results found.
Ethnic or community population
No results found.
Year information was gathered
No results found.
Comments on speakers
"Nama and Damara people take on a negative stand against the formal use of their language. Khoekhoe speakers are reluctant to enroll their children in schools in which their language is employed as medium of instruction (Laurentius Davids, p.c.)."
Location and Context
Countries
Namibia; Botswana; South Africa
Location Description
No results found.
Government Support
Khoekhoe is an official language of education
Institutional Support
No results found.
Speakers' Attitude
Negative
Other Languages Used By The Community
None
Number of Other Language Speakers:
None
Domains of Other Languages:
None
Writing Systems
Standard orthography:
No results found.
Writing system:
No results found.
Other writing systems used:
No results text.
Comments on writing systems:
No results found.
Recent Resources
Slides for a brief linguistic overview of the "Khoisan" languages (with discussion about whether tha
Interview with linguist Menán du Plessis about the "Khoisan" languages of South Africa and Namibia.
Website of the KSAAG organization, working to promote and raise awareness of Khoe and San languages