Bemba (Chibemba)

Bemba is a Bantu language spoken by about 3.6 million people in parts of Zambia, particularly the Northern, Luapula, Copperbelt and Northwestern Central provinces, and also in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania.

Bemba is a national (official) language in Zambia and is used as a lingua franca in many areas, particularly cities and in Copperbelt Province. It is also used on the radio.

The spelling of Bemba was standardised between 1972 and 1977 by the Zambian Ministry of Education.

Bemba pronunciation

Notes

In proper nouns, c is written ch
S is pronounced [ʃ] when it appears before i
Bemba has two tones: a high tone, which is sometimes marked by an accent over the appropriate vowel; and a low tone, which is not marked.

Sample text

Abantu bonse bafyalwa abalubuka nokulingana mu mucinshi nensambu. Balikwata amano nokutontonkanya, eico bafwile ukulacita ifintu ku banabo mu mutima wa bwananyina.

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)

Tower of Babel in Bemba