Swahili language

Swahili, or Kiswahili, is a Bantu language widely spoken in East Africa, particularly in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It serves as a lingua franca, facilitating communication among diverse ethnic groups. Swahili incorporates vocabulary from Arabic, due to historical trade contacts, as well as influences from Portuguese, English, and other languages. It has a rich oral tradition and is the official language of the African Union and several East African nations. Swahili is increasingly popular as a second language, valued for its grammatical simplicity and phonetic nature.