Here's a breakdown:
* Arabic: Arabic influences are evident in Swahili vocabulary, grammar, and even the writing system (which is based on the Arabic alphabet). This is due to historical interactions between Arab traders and the coastal communities of East Africa.
* Bantu languages: The majority of Swahili vocabulary comes from various Bantu languages spoken in the region, primarily those from the "Kiswahili" dialect cluster (including languages like Kipare, Kimvita, and Kibondei). The grammatical structure of Swahili is also heavily based on these Bantu languages.
So, Swahili can be seen as a creole language, meaning it developed from a blend of two distinct languages, incorporating elements of both.