Borrowed words

Lango borrowed some words as many tribes did from their neighbouring tribes, country and the Europeans. This happened during migration and interactions amongst different tribes. Some words are spelt exactly in the same way they were borrowed from another language or tribe.

Borrowed words from English

Borrowing words from one language to another is a common linguistic phenomenon, especially in languages that have been in contact due to colonization, trade, education, or technology. The Lango language, spoken in Uganda has borrowed words from English due to historical and contemporary interactions between Lango speakers and English-speaking populations.

These borrowed words often undergo phonological and sometimes morphological adaptations to fit the sound and structure of the Lango language. English words may be borrowed for concepts, objects, or ideas that did not traditionally exist in Lango culture or for which there were no pre-existing terms in Lango. These includes;- modern technology, governance, education, health, and other sectors influenced by globalization and modernization.

Examples of Lango words borrowed from English language include;-

Borrowed words from Arabic

The Lango language, like many African languages, has been influenced by various languages through trade, religion, and historical interactions. Arabic, due to the spread of Islam and trade relationships, has contributed several loanwords to languages across the African continent, including those in the regions where Lango is spoken.

The influence of Arabic on Lango and other Nilotic languages primarily came through these interactions, especially in areas where Arab traders or Islamic teachers were present. Borrowed words would typically relate to religion, administration, trade, and everyday life items or concepts introduced by Arabs.

The degree to which Arabic words have been adopted and adapted into Lango would also depend on the level of contact and the sociocultural context of such interactions.

Examples of Lango words borrowed from Arabic language include;-

Borrowed words from Swahili

Lango language, spoken in the Northern region of Uganda has interacted with various languages due to trade, migration, and historical contacts. Swahili, being a lingua franca in East Africa, has influenced many languages in the region, including Lango, especially in domains such as trade, military, religion, and administration.

The extent and nature of Swahili's influence on Lango language varies significantly on historical, social, and geographical factors. 

Examples of Lango words borrowed from Swahili include;-

Borrowed words from Luganda

Lango and Luganda are people of Uganda who speak languages that belong to two different linguistic families. Lango is a Nilo-hamite language, while Luganda is a Bantu language. Despite their linguistic differences, due to historical interactions, trade, intermarriages, and political relations within the region, there has been cultural and linguistic exchange between these groups over the years. This exchange includes borrowing words from Luganda into Lango, especially terms related to administration, modernity, and objects or concepts that may have been introduced by the Baganda or through the central administration, which historically had a significant social, poltical, cutural, technology and economic Baganda influence.

Examples of Lango words borrowed from Luganda include;-

Borrowed words from Indian

Lango language, like many others around the world, has experienced linguistic influences due to trade, colonization, and cultural exchanges. Borrowed words in Lango from Indian languages would primarily come through indirect means, such as English or Swahili, which have historically been more directly in contact with Indian languages due to British colonialism and the Indian Ocean trade.

Words may change in pronunciation, meaning, and usage as they are incorporated into a new linguistic and cultural context. Direct borrowings from Indian languages into Lango without an intermediary (like English or Swahili) would be rare, given the geographical and cultural distances involved.

Examples of Lango borrowed words from Indian language include;-