Herero language

9.9

A language spoken by the Herero people in Namibia, Botswana and Angola

noun

: idioma herero

Many oral traditions are preserved through storytelling in the Herero language.

Examples

The Herero language is an important part of Namibia's cultural heritage.
Many people are learning the Herero language today.
She is fluent in both English and Herero language.
The Herero language is rich in cultural expressions.
Many oral traditions are preserved through storytelling in the Herero language.
The Herero language is an important part of Namibia's cultural heritage.
Many people are learning the Herero language today.

Synonyms

Herero

vsHerero language

1 9.9

A Bantu language spoken mainly in central Namibia, Botswana and Angola

is the same meaning but uses a longer descriptive phrase

Surface Forms

Herero language singular

Herero languages plural

Morphology

Herero + language

This is a straightforward compositional combination of a proper noun for an ethnic group ('Herero') with the noun 'language', so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will infer it means the language spoken by the Herero people. The pattern 'X language' meaning 'the language of X' is a regular, cross-linguistic and highly predictable construction in English, making the phrase immediately understandable.

Etymology

Herero language gets its name from the Herero people who speak it. In the local name Ovaherero, the part Ova- means 'people', so the name simply points to the people who speak the language and that is why it refers to the language today.