Journal
JOURNAL OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES | Vol. 1, Issue 1-kqn
Introduction to Kikaonde
Author(s): Bright Muya Kifita
Peer Reviewer(s): Dave Moskovitz; Gankanani Moyo; Daniel Sikazwe
Published: 24/11/24 | Vol 1, Issue 1, language kqn | Fluent Zambia
ABSTRACT: This article presents a linguistic and statistical analysis of Kikaonde, one of the most widely spoken indigenous languages of Zambia. This article introduces the language, name and meaning, ISO language code, and alphabet, IPA renditions, and writing styles. We also present a statistical analysis of its use across population and landscape, as well as language development and its presence (or lack of) in the Internet of Things (IoT).
Keyswords: kikaonde | kaonde | zambian languages | kqn | language review | journal of indigenous languages | fluent zambia
KIKAONDE
- Language Name: KIKAONDE, KAONDE
- ISO Language Code: ISO 639-3: kqn
- Total Speakers: 400,000 (approx., 2010 census)
KIKAONDE is a Zambian language spoken mainly in the Northwestern part of Zambia.
THE KIKAONDE ALPHABET
The Kikaonde alphabet has 24 letters:
Aa, Bb, Cc, Dd, Ee, Ff, Gg, Hh, Ii, Jj, Kk, Ll, Mm, Nn, Ññ, Oo, Pp, Ss, Tt, Uu, Vv, Ww, Yy, Zz
Kikaonde is written in Latin alphabetic style. The Kaonde alphabet differs from the English alphabet in two main ways:
Kikaonde has one additional letter, Ñ, which is pronounced as ‘ng’, similar to the pronunciation of ‘ng’ in the word singing..
Kikaonde does not contain the letters Q, R, and X. This is because in speaking, there are no words in Kikaonde that require the use of these letters.
Similarly, when it comes to learning any subject in school, a child who is native to language A must be introduced to the subject using language A. If a child who is native to language A is introduced to Math using language B, it takes longer for the child to learn. This is because the child must first understand the word meanings and nuances of language B, and then begin to apply that meaning to the ideas or concepts being taught in Math. The result is a steep learning curve, which means a child needs many years of learning language B in order understand a simple mathematical concept being taught in language B.
At Fluent Zambia, we believe that every child is smart and has great potential, if only they learn in a language of their birth, read in a language they understand, and speak in the language of their heart. This can only be achieved if children have access to books written in the language of their birth.