Lingala and Swahili are both in the Bantu group of languages spoken in East and Central Africa. Lingala is spoken throughout the northwestern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R.C) where it serves as the lingua franca of the region. It is a common misconception that Lingala is spoken only in D.R.C. In fact, Lingala is also spoken in large parts of the Republic of the Congo, Angola and the Central African Republic. Swahili on the other hand is spoken mainly in East Africa and some parts of Southern Africa.
This article aims to explore some etymological similarities between Lingala and Swahili words. Even though the similarity between these two languages is much broader and goes beyond the scope of this article (and includes phonological, syntax and etymological similarities), the face-value similarities is a good place to start our investigation. For example, the simple fact that these two languages fall in the same language group suggests a close relationship. Again, there are several words shared between the languages, some with the same meaning and others with different meaning. This article focuses more on the former category.
It is significant to point out the fact that these two languages both have noun classes (or Ngeli in Swahili) which dictates the prefixes and suffixes which nouns, adjectives and pronounces take. Even though Swahili ngeli or noun classes are more elaborate and much more developed than Lingala's, this can be attributed to the standardization efforts that Swahili speaking countries have taken rather than the product of natural evolution of the language. Swahili also boasts a broader vocabulary than Lingala (also attributable to the fact that it's a national language of more than three nations in East Africa). However, unlike Lingala which is purely Bantu, Swahili borrows a lot from Arabic Language with experts claiming that as much as 40% - 45% of Swahili vocabulary is made up of Arabic words.
But before we explore the similarities between these two closely related languages, it is useful to point out some stark differences. In Lingala verbs in their infinitive form take the prefix "ko-" instead
of "ku-" which is common in swahili, for example "to walk" in Lingala
becomes "kotambola", to run in Lingala is "Kokima". In swahili these words are "Kutembea" and "Kukimbia" respectively. Another important difference is that verbs in their
future form in Lingala take the affix "-ko-" instead of "-ta-" in swahili for
example "I will walk" becomes "nakotambola" and I will run becomes "nakokima". In Swahili these words are "nitatembea" and "nitakimbia" respectively. Again in Lingala most verbs take the suffix "-aki" for the past tense instead of Swahili's affix "-li-", for example I walked is "natambolaki" and I ran is "nakimalaki". Again in Swahili these words are "nilitembea" and nilikimbia respectively.
Please note that I am not a linguist or expert of any sort, but just an ordinary folk who loves languages, therefore some of my "literary jargon" may not be a hundred percent sound. However, the information presented here including the meaning of words are demonstrably accurate.
The list below presents a compilation of words in Swahili and Lingala which are uncannily similar. The meanings in English are bracketed.
SWAHILI - LINGALA (MEANING)
Kufa - Kokufa (To die)
Kula - Kolya (To eat)
Kuimba - Koyemba (To sing)
Kucheka - Koseka (To laugh)
Kuiba - Koyiba (To steal)
Kuenda - Kende (Go)
Leo - lelo (Today)
Shemeji - Semeki (In - law)
Salama - Malamu (Safe)
Nini - Nini (What)
Matata - Matata (Issues)
Mtu - Motu (Person)
Moto - Moto (Fire)
Motoka - Motuka (Motor car)
Kuwaza - Kobanza (To think about something)
Ona - Mona (See)
Moja - Moko (One)
Mbili - Mibale (Two)
Mvua - Mbula (Rain)
Nne - Minei (Four)
Kumi - Zomi (Ten)
Nyuki - Nzoi (bee/bees)
Njaa - Nzala (Hunger)
Nyoka - nyoka (Snake)
This list is by no means exhaustive but it is enough to show just how closely related the Lingala Language of Congo and Swahili are. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you found this article useful. Feel free to suggest any other word(s) we may have left out. We can't wait to hear from you.
This is really cool. One question, does "ba" not make it plural? So I think "Ba semeki" is in-laws and "semeki" is "in law".
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