The Swahili language (pronounced [sua’hi:li:]) is a Bantu language, spoken by various communities inhabiting the African Great Lakes region and other parts of Southeast Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Swahili vocabulary is partially derived from Arabic but it also incorporates German, Portuguese, English, Hindi and French words due to the contact with empire builders, traders and slavers during the past five centuries. Writing system: Latin script (Roman Swahili alphabet), Arabic script (Arabic Swahili alphabet) Official language in: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda