Oshiwambo language

Oshiwambo (also spelled oshivambo) is a group of closely related dialects (dialectal continuum) of the Bantu language family. It is spoken by groups of the Ovambo ethnic group in northern Namibia and southern Angola. Kwanyama and Ndonga are Oshiwambo dialects with a written standard.

There are seven variants of oshiwambo:

• Oshikwanyama
• Oshindonga
• Oshikolonkadhi
• Oshimbalantu
• Oshikwaluudhi
• Oshingangera
• Shikwambi.

The first two are taught in some schools. Anyone who has Oshiwambo as their native language can understand people who converse in any of the seven dialects.

Examples

• Ongaipi - Hello.
• Ongobe ilai - Stupid cow (common oshiwambo insult)