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Glite Dictionary
Khoikhoi language

Khoikhoi language

9.9
A language spoken by the Khoikhoi people in Namibia and South Africa
  • noun
: idioma khoikhoi
  • Many linguists have studied the Khoikhoi language to understand its unique click consonants.

Examples

  • The Khoikhoi language is an important part of southern Africa's cultural heritage.

  • She is fluent in several Khoikhoi languages, thanks to her work in Namibia.

  • The Khoikhoi language is rich in clicks.

  • The Khoikhoi language is unique to its speakers.

  • Many linguists have studied the Khoikhoi language to understand its unique click consonants.

  • The Khoikhoi language is an important part of southern Africa's cultural heritage.

  • She is fluent in several Khoikhoi languages, thanks to her work in Namibia.

Synonyms

Khoikhoi
vsKhoikhoi language
1 9.9

A group of people from Namibia and South Africa who raise animals and speak languages with click sounds

classifies those languages as members of a specific family rather than by speaker group
Khoikhoin language
vsKhoikhoi language
9.9

A language spoken by the Khoikhoin people in Namibia and South Africa

classifies the same languages by family rather than using that alternative group name
Khoikhoin
vsKhoikhoi language
  • Literature
9.9

A language once spoken by the Khoikhoi people in Namibia and South Africa

refers to the same languages as currently spoken rather than only formerly used

Surface Forms

Khoikhoi language singular
Khoikhoi languages plural

Morphology

Khoikhoi + language

This is a straightforward compound of an ethnonym and the noun 'language' meaning 'the language spoken by the Khoikhoi people.' A B1 learner who knows the constituent words can directly derive this meaning because the pattern 'X language' (language of X) is compositional and cross-linguistically common.

Etymology

The term Khoikhoi language comes from the people’s own name for themselves; Khoikhoi is often said to mean 'real people' or 'men', so the phrase simply names the language of that group. Many of these languages are known for their click sounds, a clear and unusual feature that helps you remember 'Khoikhoi language' today.