The influence of Swahili on the local Bantu languages in modern Tanzania

Article in Elibrary

Keywords: language contacts; Swahili language; Arabic language; bantu languages; the role of the Swahili language

To cite this article

Nelli V. Gromova, Monika R. Urb The influence of Swahili on the local Bantu languages in modern Tanzania. // Lomonosov Oriental Studies Journal. 2019. N 2, p.20–34

Nelli V. Gromova Monika R. Urb

Abstract

The article discusses language contact between Swahili and other Bantu languages in Tanzania. Swahili, itself influenced by Arabic, transfers borrowed lexical elements to local languages of lower social status. Its grammatical impact is less pronounced. The study uses material collected by the authors during fieldwork in Tanzania.