How did the Bantu migration change the languages of Africa?
A: The Bantu traded with other cultures and adopted their languages.
B: The Bantu created one common language spoken throughout Africa today.
C: The Bantu adopted other inhabitants’ languages and the original language has been lost.
D: The Bantu contributed to more than 500 languages spoken in Africa today.
D: The Bantu contributed to more than 500 languages spoken in Africa today.
To determine the correct answer, we need to understand the Bantu migration and its impact on African languages.
The Bantu migration was a significant movement of the Bantu people from their original homeland in West Africa to various regions across Africa, starting around 2000 BCE. As they migrated, the Bantu people interacted with different cultures and groups, which had an impact on the languages of Africa.
Option A states that the Bantu traded with other cultures and adopted their languages. While trade and cultural interaction did occur during the migration, the primary influence of the Bantu migration on languages was through language diffusion, rather than adopting entire languages from other cultures. Therefore, option A is not the correct answer.
Option B suggests that the Bantu created one common language spoken throughout Africa today. However, this is not accurate. The Bantu migration did lead to the spread of Bantu languages across Africa, but it did not result in the creation of a single, common language spoken throughout the continent. Therefore, option B is not the correct answer.
Option C proposes that the Bantu adopted other inhabitants' languages, resulting in the loss of the original Bantu language. This is also incorrect. While the Bantu migration did contribute to language change and influence the languages of different regions, it did not result in the complete loss of the original Bantu language. Therefore, option C is not the correct answer.
Option D states that the Bantu contributed to more than 500 languages spoken in Africa today. This is the correct answer. The Bantu migration had a significant impact on the development of various languages spoken in Africa today. The Bantu people spread their languages and linguistic characteristics across the continent, leading to the diverse Bantu language family, which includes over 500 languages. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
In conclusion, the correct answer is D: The Bantu contributed to more than 500 languages spoken in Africa today.