What language is Herero?
Q: What language is Herero?
A: Herero is a Bantu language of the Niger-Congo group.
Q: How many people speak Herero?
A: There are about 237,000 Herero speakers in both Namibia and Botswana, with 206,000 in Namibia and the rest in Botswana.
Q: Where is the language spoken?
A: The language is spoken in an area called Hereroland which includes the regions of Omaheke, Otjozondjupa, and Kunene. A large minority of people in Windhoek (the capital of Namibia) also speak Herero.
Q: How is Herero written?
A: The Herero language is written in the Latin alphabet.
Q: Who were some early missionaries who translated works into Herero?
A: Missionary Gottlieb Viehe (1839-1901) was responsible for translating the Bible into Herero while Father Peter Heinrich Brincker (1836-1904) translated several religious works and songs into Herero.
Q: Is it taught at universities or schools?
A: Yes, it is taught at schools and at the University of Namibia. It is also one of six minority languages used for broadcasts by the Namibian State Radio (NBC).
Q: Is there a dictionary available for this language?
A: Yes, Gamsberg Macmillan has published the only dictionary available for this language as of 2008[update]
