bergdama: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / TechnicalAcademic / Anthropological / Historical
Quick answer
What does “bergdama” mean?
A member of the Damara people, an ethnic group indigenous to Namibia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of the Damara people, an ethnic group indigenous to Namibia.
The term can also refer to the Khoekhoe language (also known as Nama/Damara) spoken by this people, though the term "Damara" or "Nama" is more standard for the language.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; the term is equally rare in both British and American English contexts, being confined to specific academic fields.
Connotations
Potentially outdated/archaic; neutral in a strict historical context, but the modern preferred term "Damara" is less marked.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general usage; slightly higher probability of encounter in Commonwealth publications due to historical colonial links to southern Africa.
Grammar
How to Use “bergdama” in a Sentence
[The] Bergdama + [verb]the Bergdama peopleof the BergdamaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bergdama” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Bergdama traditions
- Bergdama origins
American English
- Bergdama communities
- Bergdama history
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used primarily in historical, anthropological, or African studies contexts. The modern term "Damara" is preferred.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be encountered or used.
Technical
Used as a specific ethnonym in historical/archival documentation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bergdama”
- Using it as a contemporary term without historical qualification.
- Misspelling as 'Bergdamma' or 'Bergdamar'.
- Assuming it is the primary or polite term in modern discourse.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an outdated exonym. The correct and preferred contemporary term is 'Damara'.
They speak Khoekhoe, often referred to as Nama or Damara/Nama. It is a Khoe language with click consonants.
Primarily in Namibia, with significant populations in the Erongo, Kunene, and Otjozondjupa regions.
As an exonym imposed by European colonists, it can be seen as perpetuating an outsider's perspective and ignoring the people's own name for themselves (Damara). Its use in modern contexts is therefore often avoided.
A member of the Damara people, an ethnic group indigenous to Namibia.
Bergdama is usually academic / anthropological / historical in register.
Bergdama: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɜːɡˌdɑːmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɜːrɡˌdɑːmə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Berg' (mountain in German) and 'Dama' (like Damara). Historically, some Damara lived in more mountainous regions compared to other groups.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A for a proper noun denoting a specific ethnic group.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'Bergdama' MOST appropriately used today?