Question

the arabic word sawaahili means a language of the coast. which of the following explains how the word relate to the swahili language spoken today in kenya, tanzania, and northern mozambique in eastern africa?
a. as muslim merchants traveled to africa, they needed to communicate with people living along the coastal areas of the indian ocean in order to trade, and a lingua franca developed.
b. german colonizers created a language that would unite all the people in their colonies.

Explanation:

The question is about the origin of the Swahili language, specifically which statement explains it. The correct option (let's assume the first option with the circular marker, say Option A) likely states that as Muslim merchants traded in East Africa, they needed a common language with coastal people for trade, leading to Swahili's development (mix of Bantu and Arabic, etc.). The other options: one about creating a unifying language (unlikely, Swahili developed organically from trade) and others not fitting. So the correct explanation is about trade and communication between Muslim merchants and coastal peoples leading to Swahili.

Answer:

A. As Muslim merchants traveled to Africa, they needed to communicate with people living along the coastal areas of the Indian Ocean in order to trade, and a lingua franca developed.