Some borrowed words in Kiswahili and foreign relations

 

This list will not include words borrowed from English and Arabic because they are many owing to long periods of colonialism. Colonialism attaches itself to the host to the point where the host mistakenly starts to look like a chimera. But that is a story for another post.

We shall look at words borrowed from foreign nations who had a more or less fleeting interaction with native Kiswahili speakers.

Kiswahili	Portuguese
Bastola	Pistola
Sigara	Cigarro
Mvinyo	Vinho
Ushanga	Miçangas
Jela	Jaula
Karata	Cartas
Dama	Jogo de damas
Nanasi	Ananas

Kiswahili	Hindi
Melimeli	Malamal
Mbinda	Bhindee
Bangi	Bhaang
Lukuki	Laakhon
Kauri	Kaudee
Kanju	kaajoo seb

 

The words from Portuguese are for gun, cigarette, wine, beads, jail, poker cards, checkers/draughts, pineapple. Generally, what can be deduced is an interaction characterized by drug use, weapons, gambling and incarceration. These are interrelated themes, a picture of which the reader can form.

The words from Hindi are for muslin cloth, okra, marijuana, millions, ceramic/earthenware, cashew. Generally, what can be deduced is an interaction characterized by exotic plants and items of manufacture, which imply trade.

Few more examples exist and words derived from other foreign languages are there too. Some of the other languages include Persian (boma/buum – enclosure or garrison); German (shule/schule – school).

 

Reference:

TUKI (2001), Kamusi Ya Kiswahili-Kiingereza; Swahili-English Dictionary. Published by Taasisi ya Uchunguzi wa Kiswahili (TUKI), Chuo Kikuu cha Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.