Umbundu, or South Mbundu (autonym ''úmbúndú''), one of many
Bantu languages
The Bantu languages (English: , Proto-Bantu language, Proto-Bantu: *bantʊ̀), or Ntu languages are a language family of about 600 languages of Central Africa, Central, Southern Africa, Southern, East Africa, Eastern and Southeast Africa, South ...
, is the most widely-spoken autochthonous language of Angola. Its speakers are known as ''
Ovimbundu
The Ovimbundu, also known as the Southern Mbundu, are a Bantu peoples, Bantu ethnic group who live on the Bié Plateau of central Angola and in the coastal strip west of these highlands. As the largest ethnic group in Angola, they make up 38 pe ...
'' and are an ethnic group constituting a third of Angola's population. Their homeland is the Central Highlands of Angola and the coastal region west of these highlands, including the cities of
Benguela and
Lobito. Because of recent internal migration, there are now also large communities in the capital
Luanda
Luanda ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Angola, largest city of Angola. It is Angola's primary port, and its major industrial, cultural and urban centre. Located on Angola's northern Atlantic coast, Luanda is Ang ...
and its
surrounding province, as well as in
Lubango.
Phonology
Consonants
Vowels
Tone
Umbundu has two
tones: low and high. The first acute accent (á) in a word represents a high tone. The low tone is represented by a grave accent (à). Unmarked syllables carry the same tone as the preceding syllable.
Vocabulary
*Welcome – ("The guests have come")
*Hello – (sg); (pl)
*How are you? – (sg); (pl)
*I'm fine thanks, and you? – ("I'm fine"); ("We're fine")
*What's your name? – (frm); (inf)
*My name is... –
*Where are you from? – ("Where is your country?")
*I'm from... – ("My country is...")
*Good morning –
*Good afternoon –
*Good evening –
*Good night – ("Sleep well")
*Goodbye – ("I went")
*Do you speak English? –
*Do you speak Umbundu? –
*Sorry – (sg); (pl)
*Please – ("Give me pity2)
*Thank you – (sg); (pl)
*Reply –
Sample text
''Omanu vosi vacitiwa valipwa kwenda valisoka kovina vyosikwenda komoko. Ovo vakwete esunga kwenda, kwenda olondunge kwenje ovo vatêla okuliteywila kuvamwe kwenda vakwavo vesokolwilo lyocisola.''
Translation: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
References
Further reading
*
*
*
External links
English-Umbundu language resources on the web (Mofeko)Educação
– Umbundu lessons at Nação Ovimbundu
– alphabet at omniglot.com
Dictionary Umbundu – Medical
Hospital Nossa Senhora da Paz, Cubal, Angola.
Njila languages
Languages of Angola
Languages of Namibia
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