Languages in Namibia
Namibia's linguistic landscape is as diverse as its population — and for German-speaking travelers, there is a wonderful surprise:
Official Language: English
English was chosen as the neutral official language at independence in 1990 — none of the 13 ethnic groups speak it as their mother tongue, making it "fair" for everyone. In practice, most Namibians speak English as a second or third language — with a charming accent and sometimes limited vocabulary. In tourist areas, communication is not a problem.
German — the Surprise!
Namibia is the only country in Africa where German is spoken in everyday life. Around 20,000 German Namibians plus numerous Namibians who attended German schools or work in the tourism industry speak fluent German. In Windhoek, Swakopmund, and Lüderitz, you will surprisingly often be addressed in German — in bakeries, restaurants, hotels, and even gas stations.
German newspapers (Allgemeine Zeitung), German-language radio stations, and even a German carnival committee exist in Namibia. For German-speaking travelers, this is a unique bonus.
Afrikaans
Afrikaans (South African Dutch) is the most widely spoken everyday language in Namibia — many different population groups use it as a lingua franca among themselves. Especially in the south and in rural areas, Afrikaans is the main communication language.
Other Languages
- Oshiwambo: The most spoken mother tongue (50% of the population)
- Otjiherero: Language of the Herero
- Nama/Damara: With the famous click sounds (!, ≠, //, ǂ) — one of the oldest language families in the world
- Kavango, Caprivi languages, San languages: Regional languages in the north and northeast
