The term 'Swahili' is a BANTU language spoken in East Africa. It is the most widely spoken language in the region and is used as a lingua franca among many different ethnic groups. Swahili is also the official language of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is a tonal language with a complex grammar and vocabulary that has been heavily influenced by Arabic, Portuguese, and English.