Language Contact and Borrowing: The Influence of Arabic on Swahili

Abstract

This article investigates the influence of Arabic on Swahili through language contact and borrowing. By examining historical texts and modern usage, the study traces the integration of Arabic vocabulary into Swahili. The research highlights the socio-cultural and religious factors that facilitated this linguistic exchange. The findings provide insights into the dynamics of language contact and the processes of lexical borrowing, contributing to the understanding of Swahili's linguistic evolution.