1. The Language: This is the most common and primary meaning. It refers to the Bantu language spoken by a large number of people in East Africa, primarily in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and parts of Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia.
2. The People: This meaning is less common and refers to the people who speak Swahili as their native language or as a second language. It is often used to describe the diverse group of people from various ethnicities and cultural backgrounds who have adopted Swahili as a common language.
It's important to note that while the second meaning exists, it's less frequently used and can sometimes be considered less accurate due to the diversity of people who speak Swahili. The term "Swahili" is primarily understood to refer to the language.