What language is Swahili closest to?
Swahili is predominantly a mix of local Bantu languages and Arabic. Decades of intensive trade along the East African coast resulted in this mix of cultures. Besides Arabic and Bantu, Swahili also has English, Persian, Portuguese, German and French influences due to trade contact.
What type of language is Swahili pidgin?
Mazrui (1992) argues that Swahili emerged as an Arabic-based pidgin that evolved into a creole before going through a process of decreolization (ibid., 95–98). As we saw above, a pidgin becomes a creole when it becomes the first or native language of a speech community. This process is referred to as indigenization.
Which country speaks the Swahili language?
Swahili has official language status in Tanzania and Kenya and is also widely spoken in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Comoros Islands. It’s also spoken by smaller numbers in Burundi, Rwanda, Northern Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.
How do you properly exchange a language?
How to do a language exchange: 10 steps to success
- Decide what kind of exchange you want.
- Introduce yourself.
- Chat about expectations.
- Plan topics to speak about during your practice time.
- Embrace the discomfort.
- Ask for feedback.
- Make notes.
- Be mindful of your partner’s language level.
Is Swahili a dying language?
When you move across the East African region, you will be shocked by the way the language is slowly dying. In Tanzania where Swahili is still comparatively strong—there are signs that the youth are more inclined to speak English.
Is my language exchange good?
MyLanguageExchange.com has been around forever and appears to have barely changed, but it still provides great value. MyLanguageExchange.com is over two decades old and has barely changed in that time, yet surprisingly still offers great value for finding other language learners to connect or ‘penpal’ with.
How do I convert exchange friends to language?
1. Find new language friends online. There are plenty of language exchange sites where you can partner with a native speaker as you both try to learn the other’s language. Sites like Languing, LanguageFriends.net and Conversation Exchange will help you find friends who speak the language you’re looking to learn.
How do you say hi in Bantu?
Habari means “hi” or “hello.” We use it when we meet people. We can use this greeting with friends or relatives, but also with people we don’t know. And the formal way of greeting people is Shikamoo! During the evening we say: Habari ya jioni!
How do say hello in Swahili?
There are basically five ways to say hello in Swahili: – nzuri (nZOOree) (fine) U hali gani? (oo HAlee GAnee) (how are you) – njema (fine) Shikamoo (a young person to an elder) – marahaba. For casual interactions: mambo?
Is Swahili African?
Kiswahili most likely originated on East Africa’s coast. It’s a national language in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and an official language of the East African Community which comprises Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.