Here's a breakdown of its linguistic influences:
* Primary influence: Kiunguja, a Bantu language spoken on the island of Zanzibar. It forms the core vocabulary and grammar of Swahili.
* Other Bantu languages: Swahili also absorbed words and grammatical elements from other Bantu languages spoken in the East African coast, including Kimvita, Kikamba, and Kimakua.
* Arabic: Arabic, due to centuries of interaction and trade, contributed significantly to Swahili vocabulary, particularly in areas like religion, trade, and administration.
* Other influences: Swahili has also borrowed words from English, Portuguese, and German, primarily during colonial times.
In summary:
Swahili is a complex and dynamic language, with a foundation in the Bantu language family, especially Kiunguja, and significant influence from Arabic and other languages. Its unique blend of influences makes it a fascinating example of language evolution and cultural interaction.