Language in Namibia

Full Namibia Travel Guide »    Namibia Interactive Map »    Print This Article »

Major Indigenous languages include Oshiwambo, Herrero, Nama, Damara, various San languages,and Silozi.

English is the official language and is widely spoken. However the majority of older Namibians (those educated before independence) only speak English as a third language, and therefore the standard is fairly poor. English is more widely spoken in the North, as it was adopted as a medium of instruction earlier than in the South. Older Nambibians in the South are more likely to speak Afrikaans or German.

Afrikaans is spoken by many, and is the first language of the Coloureds as well as the Afrikaners. English is spoken as a first language by the remaining English families, and German is spoken by the Namibians of German descent, who tend to be in Windhoek, Swakopmund and various farms scattered through the country. German is one of the leading commercial languages as well. Portuguese is spoken by the immigrants from Angola.

Namibia Photos