Internal Influences:
* Proto-languages: Many African languages descend from a common ancestor, like Proto-Bantu, Proto-Afro-Asiatic, or Proto-Niger-Congo. These proto-languages are the foundation from which modern languages developed.
* Contact and interaction: Over centuries, languages have interacted with each other within different regions, leading to borrowing, code-switching, and linguistic convergence. This has resulted in similarities and shared features across language families.
External Influences:
* Arabic: In North and East Africa, Arabic has had a significant influence due to historical trade, conquest, and cultural exchange. This influence is visible in vocabulary, grammar, and writing systems.
* European languages: During the colonial period, European languages like English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish influenced vocabulary, grammar, and even writing systems in some regions.
* Other languages: Depending on the region, other languages like Persian, Swahili, and Hausa have played a role in influencing local languages through trade, migration, or cultural exchange.
Important to remember:
* Diversity: Africa has over 2000 languages, and each language family has its own unique history and influences.
* Language contact is ongoing: Language influences are not static and continue to evolve due to ongoing interaction and globalization.
Instead of thinking about one language influencing all others, it's more accurate to consider:
* The diverse history of language contact and interaction within Africa.
* The influence of different language families and their relationships.
* The ongoing process of language change and adaptation.
It's important to approach the topic of language influence in Africa with nuance and respect for the rich linguistic diversity of the continent.