Umbundu


Umbundu, or South Mbundu, one of many Bantu languages. It is the most widely spoken autochthonous language of Angola. Its speakers are known as Ovimbundu 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 and its surrounding province, as well as in Lubango.

Phonology

Consonants

Vowels

Tone

Umbundu has two tones: low and high. The first acute accent in a word represents a high tone. The low tone is represented by a grave accent. Unmarked syllables carry the same tone as the preceding syllable.

Vocabulary

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.
vokussumba suko onhe?