Bembe language (Kibembe)

Last updated
Bembe
Kibembe / Kibeembe
Native to Republic of Congo
Native speakers
100,000 (2007 census) [1]
Dialects
  • Beembe
Language codes
ISO 639-3
beq  – Bembe
Glottolog beem1239   Beembe
H.11,111,112 [2]

Bembe (Kibembe or Kibeembe) is a Bantu language spoken primarily in the Republic of Congo. It is closely related to Kikongo and forms part of the Kongo language cluster.

Contents

It should not be confused with the Bembe language (Ibembe) spoken in Congo-Kinshasa and Tanzania.

Maho (2009) considers Beembe, Kamba-Doondo, and Gangala (or Hangala, Gaangala, Haangala) to be distinct languages.

Phonology

The language exhibits typical Bantu phonology, including a system of noun classes and verb conjugations. (Further details can be added as linguistic research becomes available.)

Grammar

Bembe follows the noun class system characteristic of Bantu languages. Verbs are marked for tense, aspect, and subject agreement.

References

  1. ↑ "Bembe". Ethnologue. 2007.
  2. ↑ Jouni Filip Maho, 2009. New Updated Guthrie List Online
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