Editing Lingala (section)

== Characteristics and usage ==
Lingala is a Bantu-based creole of Central Africa<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lingala-language|title=Lingala language|access-date=6 May 2018}}</ref> with roots in the Bobangi language, which provided most of its lexicon and grammar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bobangi.wordpress.com|title=Bobangi language|access-date=10 Oct 2018}}</ref> In its basic vocabulary, Lingala also borrows from other languages, such as [[Kikongo]] varieties, [[Ubangian languages]], [[Swahili language|Swahili]], [[French language|French]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[English language|English]], and various African languages (note local and foreign interaction with Krumen).

In practice, the extent of borrowing varies widely with speakers of different regions (commonly among young people), and during different occasions.

'''[[French language|French]]''' 
* ''momí'' comes from the old French ''ma mie'' ("my dear"), and can sound like it means "grandmother", but means "girlfriend"  
* ''kelási'' for [[Class (education)|class]]/[[school]]

'''[[Spanish language|Spanish]]'''
* ''chiclé'' for [[chewing gum]]

'''[[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]'''
* ''manteka'' for [[butter]]  
* ''mésa'' for [[Table (furniture)|table]]
* ''sapátu'' for [[shoe]]s

'''[[English language|English]]'''
* ''míliki'' for [[milk]]
* ''súpu'' for [[soup]]
* ''mamiwata'' for [[mermaid]], literally [[Mammy archetype|mammy]]/water 
* ''búku'' for [[book]]<ref>Le grand Dzo : nouveau dictionnaire illustré lingala-français / Adolphe</ref>
* ''mótuka'', from ''motor-car'', for [[car]]<ref>Lingala – Malóba ma lokóta/Dictionnaire</ref>