By the end of the 16th century, Portuguese caravels dominated the seas and the Portuguese language enjoyed extensive use as a lingua franca in the harbors where the Portuguese operated. Many local rulers resorted to it when communicating with foreigners from all directions until the 19th century. The main objective of the Portuguese expansion was undoubtedly of an economic nature, however there was also a religious aspect to it and the spread of the Christian faith, most extensively through the Society of Jesus (Port…