Official language in Congo Kinshasa

A survey based on a population of 41,813,000 (1995). Formerly Republic of Zaïre, Belgian Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo-Leopoldville and Congo-Kinshasa. Literacy rate 55% to 61%; 37% (1977 C. M. Brann). Also includes Greek, people from India. Information mainly from SIL 1996; UBS 1991; Hurlburt 1981. Data accuracy estimate: B. Christian, traditional religion, Muslim. Blind population 73,000 (1982 WCE). Deaf institutions: 12 (CMD). The number of languages listed for Zaïre is 221.

Kikongo

KONGO (KIKONGO, CONGO) [KON] 1,000,000 in Zaïre (1986 UBS); 1,144,000 in Angola (1990); 3,217,000 in all countries (1991 UBS). Bas-Zaïre Region. Cataract dialect in lower Congo region and around Mbanza Manteke, Fioti north of Boma and scattered communities along the Congo River from Brazzaville to its mouth. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kongo (H.10). Dialects: SOUTH CONGO, CENTRAL KONGO, WEST KONGO (FIOTE, FIOTI), BWENDE (BUENDE), LAADI, EAST KONGO, SOUTHEAST KONGO, NZAMBA (DZAMBA). Fioti and San Salvador are distinct enough to need separate literature. Fioti is also spoken by the Buende and Vili peoples. National language. Typology: SVO (for Dzamba). Christian. Bible 1905-1933. NT 1891-1993. Bible portions 1885-1931.

KITUBA (KIKONGO-KUTUBA, KIKONGO SIMPLIFIÉ, KIKONGO YA LETA, KILETA) [KTU] 4,200,000 (1990 UBS); 5,000,000 including second language speakers (1989 Mufwene). Bas-Zaïre and southern Bandundu regions. Creole, Kongo based. Dialects: IKELEVE, WESTERN KITUBA, EASTERN KITUBA. Means of communication among various language groups. A creole based on the KiKongo dialect spoken in Manianga area (Bas-Zaïre), but unintelligible with it and other Kikongo dialects. Influenced by Lingala, French, restructured Swahili, Portuguese, and other local dialects. Munukutuba of Congo is closely related. Bible 1990. NT 1950-1973. Bible portions 1934-1968.

KONGO, SAN SALVADOR (KIKONGO, CONGO, KISIKONGO, KIKOONGO) [KWY] 1,500,000 in all countries(1989 UBS). Along the Congo River below Kinshasa in Zaïre and northern Angola. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, H, Kongo (H.10). Bible 1916-1926. NT1893-1995. Bible portions 1888-1925.

Lingala:

LINGALA (NGALA) [LIN] Including second language speakers: 8,400,000 in Zaïre (1979 Muyunga); 9,100 in Central African Republic (1996). Widely used in Bandundu, Equateur, and Haut-Zaïre regions, except the southeast of Haut-Zaïre. Also in Congo. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Northwest,

C, Bangi-Ntomba (C.40), Lusengo. Degree of effective understanding and use varies with location, age, rural versus urban and commercial centers, ethnically mixed areas, formal education. Close to Lusengo, Bangala, and Mangala. 33% lexical similarity with Bobangi; 4% to 5% with KiKongo, Swahili, and French. National language. Typology: SVO. Braille Scripture in progress. Bible 1970. NT 1942-1992. Bible portions 1908-1968.

Tshiluba:

LUBA-KASAI (LUBA-LULUA, TSHILUBA, WESTERN LUBA, LUVA) [LUB] 6,300,000 (1991 UBS). Used throughout Kasai Occidental and Kasai Oriental regions. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, L, Luba (L.30). Literacy rate 60% among Christians. Significant dialect differences between East Kasai Region (Baluba people) and West Kasai Region (Bena Lulua people). Hemba is a closely related language. National language. Christian; over 1/3. Bible 1927-in press (1995). NT 1920-1982. Bible portions 1913-1962.

Swahili:

SWAHILI, ZAÏRE (NGWANA, KINGWANA, CONGO SWAHILI) [SWC] Second language for 9,100,000 (1991 UBS). Throughout the Shaba, Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, and Maniema regions and the southeastern part of the Haut-Zaïre Region. There are other varieties of Swahili in East Africa. Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, G, Swahili (G.40). Dialects: ITURI, LUALABA. Kingwana is a pidgin Swahili. There are several regional dialects, with that of eastern Kivu being closest to Swahili of Kenya and Tanzania. National language. Bible1960. NT 1929-1992. Bible portions 1921-1955.

French:

FRENCH [FRN] 72,000,000 in all countries (1995 WA). Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Romance. Official language. Bible 1530-1986. NT 1474-1980. Bible portions 1483-1987.

Part of the Ethnologue, 13th Edition, Barbara F. Grimes, Editor.