The Caribbean region has a rich and diverse history that developed over many centuries. This history includes years of colonization by European nations like Spain, Britain, France, and the Netherlands. Thus, while there are about seventy different languages spoken across the region, the most commonly spoken Caribbean languages are a reflection of this colonial past. European languages dominate and are still in use today in official capacities, alongside indigenous languages and formally and informally used creole languages. A number of these creole languages exist as a localized variation of the European languages with native and African influences.
Now, whether you’re a potential traveler looking to go to the Caribbean or someone just looking to learn more facts about the Caribbean including its diverse languages, this post is perfect for you! Read further to read all the languages spoken in the Caribbean and how they came to be.
Languages of the Caribbean
There are six official languages spoken in the Caribbean: Spanish, English, French, Dutch, and two native creoles (Haitian Creole and Papiamento). The official language of each Caribbean destination is mainly connected with the European nation that had colonial power first or longest.
Most countries and islands in the Caribbean have one primary language; however, there are others where you’ll hear several languages spoken by the residents. This is due mainly to the fact that colonial power often changed hands between European countries. So, residents had to constantly adapt to speaking whichever language belonged to the then colonial ruler.
What Is The Most Common Language In The Caribbean?
The answer to this question isn’t as simple as it may seem. English, being the most spoken language globally (including native and non-native speakers), is used by most Caribbean countries as an official language. It is also the unofficial “language of tourism” for the Caribbean which is the most dependent on tourism worldwide.
Despite English’s standing as the “top” official language in the Caribbean, Spanish has the most speakers. This is partly thanks to the language being the official language of three of the region’s most populated countries.
This means that English and Spanish are the most common languages in the Caribbean.
Spanish Speaking Countries in the Caribbean
As stated above, Spanish is the most spoken “native” tongue in the Caribbean. The language is used officially by three of Spain’s former colonies: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago were also once-prominent Spanish-speaking Caribbean countries, although that’s no longer the case.
Spanish’s emergence as a language in the region goes back to 1492 when Christopher Columbus stumbled on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Despite putting up a fight against European invasion, the indigenous islanders were eventually defeated by disease and forced labor. During Spain’s colonial rule, the island was commonly referred to as “Santo Domingo,” named for the capital city.
Today, the island of Hispaniola is now divided into two independent countries and comprises modern-day Haiti to the west and the Dominican Republic to the east. Columbus and subsequent Spanish invaders conquered more places in the Caribbean, including Jamaica, Trinidad, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Cayman Islands. Of these former colonies, only Cuba and Puerto Rico use Spanish in an official capacity, alongside the Dominican Republic.
English Speaking Caribbean Countries
Britain first found a footing in the Caribbean in the early 17th-century. Their first “discovery” was Bermuda in 1612, which they subsequently named Somers Isles after their fleet’s captain. Soon after, the Brits ended up on the shores of Saint Kitts in 1623 and Barbados in 1625.
Eventually, Britain would end up being the colonial power that conquered the most islands and countries in the Caribbean. They did so by finding other land inhabited by natives and wrestling control of other colonies from other European nations, most significantly Spain.
Many of these islands and countries have gained independence from British rule, mainly during the 20th-century. However, the English language remains a reminder of the colonial era.
English remains the dominant and official language in many Caribbean countries. This includes Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands. English is also spoken in the United States Virgin Islands, including the main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas, and 50 other surrounding minor islands and cays.
Across the Caribbean, English is the most spoken second language in most countries and islands. This bodes well for English speakers looking to vacation on the Caribbean’s most visited islands.
French Speaking Caribbean Countries
France was another colonial power in the Caribbean. Much like Britain, their first colonial venture in the Caribbean was in the 17th-century. The first French colony was Martinique, where the French first settled in 1635.
The French West Indies then grew in stature as they conquered several islands and countries. That list includes Dominica, Haiti, Guadeloupe, Saint Barthelemy (Barts), Saint Martin, and Saint Lucia.
Many of these French-speaking countries in the Caribbean gained independence from France, while some remain under its rule. Per official standing, French remains the official language of Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, Saint Barts, and Saint Martin. Only Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barts, and Saint Martin are still under French control.
However, you’ll find French and French Creole still spoken in former colonies like Dominica and Saint Lucia. This is because European conquerors would have colonies change hands between them frequently. Saint Lucia changed hands seven times for the French and seven times for the British. This island, one of only two sovereign nations named after a woman, has been independent of Britain since February 22nd, 1979.
Dutch Speaking Countries in the Caribbean
As with all European languages found in the Caribbean, Dutch is spoken due to the Netherlands’ colonial rule in the region. The Dutch language can be heard on several Caribbean islands, with some being independent states and others still under the Netherlands sovereignty. Much like France and Britain, their first colony was established in the 17th-century.
In 1634, the Dutch took control of Curacao, which was one of their first colonies. The Dutch West Indies then grew and included Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Aruba, Saba and Tortola. They attempted and failed to settle on the other Caribbean islands, with their attempts mostly being stopped by other European powers.
Today, six Caribbean islands and countries use Dutch in an official capacity. This includes Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. However, some of them have English, Spanish, and French speakers aplenty.
Other Languages Spoken in the Caribbean
Beyond Spanish, English, French, and Dutch being the official language for most countries in the Caribbean, nearly every Caribbean destination has a dialect that locals use to speak to one another. These are usually referred to as patois or Creole, with some being used in an official capacity. Unfortunately, some of these languages are considered endangered due to years of colonial erasure. There are also languages spoken due to immigration, although these comprise a small number of speakers. Here’s a list of the main patois or creole languages spoken in the Caribbean and how some of them came to be.
Haitian Creole
Alongside French, Haiti also uses Haitian Creole (Kreyol) as an official language. It’s a blend of French and languages spoken by enslaved Africans in the colony of Saint-Domingue during the 17th and 18th-century. Ninety percent of the words used in Haitian Creole which primarily developed the colonial era are of French origin but many terms actually have different meanings. Also, the grammar rules are quite different.
Unlike most other creoles in the region, Haitian Creole is used in an official capacity at formal and public events and functions.Haitian Creole became one of Haiti’s official languages under Haiti’s 1987 Constitution and is used in schools, churches, and political gatherings. Haitian Creole is spoken by over 95% of Haiti’s population, making it one of the most spoken languages in the Caribbean.
Jamaican Patois
Jamaican Patois, more formally called Jamaican Creole, is an unofficial language spoken in Jamaica. It’s a blend of English and several West and Central African languages. It developed as a result of interaction between enslaved Africans and British colonists.
Despite Patwah being spoken by most Jamaicans as a native language, Creole doesn’t have official status. It also suffers from a negative stigma where it’s seen as being low-prestige compared to the official Jamaican English. As a result, its use has been limited to informal or colloquial settings.
However, it is often found in literature and other arts. If you’ve heard rhythmic reggae, you’re likely to have heard Creole!
Papiamento
Papiamento, also spelled Papiamentu, is a creole language that several languages have influenced. It is Portuguese-based and has been greatly influenced by Spanish. It developed over centuries into what it is today.
Its development started in 1659 in Curacao island, by Dutch colonists from Brazil equipped with Portuguese. The Dutchmen brought with them Portuguese-speaking slaves, too. After that, the language gradually changed by incorporating the native languages of enslaved Africans constantly being imported to these Dutchmen’s strongholds.
It gained a Spanish influence after the Dutch colonists’ repeated contact with Spanish-speaking slave traders. Papiamento later spread to Curacao’s sister islands and became a widely spoken language there. The language also has influences from the native language spoken by the indigenous Arawak people.
Papiamento has official status in Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire and is spoken by most people living on these islands. It is also spoken unofficially in Sint Maarten and Saint Martin.
Much like Haitian Creole, Papiamento is one of the few Caribbean variants that have been successfully integrated into formal, everyday use. It’s used in schools, the media, as well as in political gatherings.
Antillean Creole
Antillean Creole is a French-based language, primarily spoken in the smaller and less-known Caribbean islands. The variant consists of elements of English, French, Carib, and other African languages. It’s closely related to Haitian Creole, so much so that the two are indistinguishable to the untrained ear.
Creole, sometimes referred to as patois, is spoken in several Caribbean islands and countries to varying degrees. This includes Dominica, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barts, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines, Virgin Islands, and Trinidad.
Bajan Creole
Bajan is an English-based creole and is spoken in Barbados, although not as an official language. It’s primarily a spoken language with English preferred for use in the media, arts, politics, and day-to-day business.
Bajan Creole is influenced heavily by English and borrows West African, Scottish, and Irish elements due to colonial history. Bajan, much like other Caribbean creoles, is related to other patois in the region, closely sounding like Guyanese and Belizean Creole.
Despite a lack of official status, the language is more widely spoken in Barbados than English.
Lesser-known languages of the Caribbean
After slavery ended in the Caribbean, the region had new arrivals from other continents, including Asia, and these new immigrants brought with them their languages. One of these languages is Caribbean Hindustani, spoken by indentured laborers who came to the Caribbean from the Indian subcontinent.
There are also native languages to the Caribbean that is not widely known to the outside world. These include indigenous languages, like the Arawak languages (Shebayo, Igñeri, Lokono, Garifuna), Caribbean (Nepuyo and Yao), Taruma, Atorada, Arecuna, Akawaio, Patamona, and Warrau. Another is the Carib language which is currently spoken by less than ten thousand people living in Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Brazil and is considered highly endangered.
Caribbean Languages By Country
Below is a summary of languages spoken in the Caribbean. Included on the list is the official language for each country and then the other main languages are spoken.
| Country | Official Languages | Other Main Languages Spoken |
|---|---|---|
| Anguilla | English | Anguilla Creole aka Anguilla Talk or Anguillian |
| Antigua & Barbuda | English | Antiguan Creole |
| Aruba | Dutch, Papiamento | English, Spanish |
| The Bahamas | English | Bahamian English/Creole aka Bahamianese, Haitian Creole |
| Barbados | English | Bajan Creole |
| Belize | English | Belize Creole aka Kriol, Spanish, Q’eqchi’, Mopan , Yucatec Maya, Garifuna, Plautdietsch, Pennsylvania German |
| Bermuda | English | Bermudian English |
| Bonaire | Dutch, Papiamento | English, Spanish |
| The British Virgin Islands | English | Virgin Islands Creole |
| Cayman Islands | English | Cayman Creole aka Cayman Islands English |
| Cuba | Spanish | Haitian Creole |
| Curacao | Dutch, Papiamentu, English | n/a |
| Dominica | English | Dominican Creole, Kokoy aka Cockoy |
| Dominican Republic | Spanish | English, French, Haitian Creole |
| Grenada | English | Grenadian Creole English, Grenadian Creole French |
| Guadeloupe | French | Guadeloupean Creole |
| Guyana | English | Guyanese Creole, Guyanese Hindustani, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, French |
| Haiti | French, Haitian Creole | n/a |
| Jamaica | English | Jamaican Patois aka Patwa |
| Martinique | French | Martiniquan Creole |
| Montserrat | English | Montserrat Creole aka Montserrat English |
| Puerto Rico | Spanish, English | n/a |
| Saba | Dutch, English | Saban English |
| Saint Vincent & The Grenadines | English | Vincentian Creole |
| Saint Barthelemy | French | Saint-Barthélemy French |
| Saint Kitts & Nevis | English | Saint Kitts Creole |
| Saint Lucia | English | Saint Lucian French Creole aka Kwéyòl |
| Saint Martin | French | Creole |
| Sint Eustatius | Dutch | English, Creole |
| Sint Maarten | Dutch, English | Creole |
| Suriname | Dutch | Sranan Tongo, Caribbean Hindustani or Sarnami |
| Trinidad & Tobago | English | Trinidadian Creole, Tobagonian Creole |
| Turks & Caicos Islands | English | Turks and Caicos Islands Creole |
| United States Virgin Islands | English | Virgin Islands Creole |
Note: When it comes to English as an official language, it primarily refers to British English as these countries are either former British colonies or now British Oversees Territories. The only exception is the United States Virgin Island which uses American English as it is a United States Territory.
FAQs
Caribbean Languages | Spanish, English, French, Dutch Speaking Countries & More | Caribbean & Co.? ›
There are six official languages spoken in the Caribbean and many more unofficial languages. Among the official languages are Dutch, English, French, Haitian Creole, Papiamentu, and Spanish. Two of these official languages, Haitian Creole and Papiamentu, are Creole languages.
What are the 4 official languages of the Caribbean? ›There are six official languages spoken in the Caribbean and many more unofficial languages. Among the official languages are Dutch, English, French, Haitian Creole, Papiamentu, and Spanish. Two of these official languages, Haitian Creole and Papiamentu, are Creole languages.
What 4 languages are spoken the most in the Caribbean? ›Most languages spoken in the Caribbean are either European languages (namely English, Spanish, French, and Dutch) or European language-based creoles.
Which Caribbean country speaks English and Dutch? ›IFRC plan for the Dutch and English Speaking Cluster (covering the Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Suriname) in 2022.
What Caribbean island speaks French and Dutch? ›Martin. The island of Saint Martin / Sint Maarten hosts two overseas European territories. French is the official language in French St. Martin, the northern half of the island, while Dutch is spoken in Sint Maarten, the southern half.
What are the 13 Caribbean? ›The Caribbean is home to thirteen sovereign island nations: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago (on the continental shelf of South America).
What is the main language spoken in the Caribbean? ›Because of the high population concentrations on the major islands, Spanish is spoken on 64% of the islands, compared to English on a roughly four-to-one ratio. Additionally, most West Indians speak French or a creole, which is derived from French.
What Caribbean islands speak mostly English? ›| Anguilla | Antigua and Barbuda |
|---|---|
| Grenada | Guyana |
| Jamaica | Montserrat |
| Netherland Antilles | Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| Saint Lucia | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Curaçao | French Guiana |
|---|---|
| Guadeloupe | Haiti |
| Martinique | Sint Maarten |
Which Caribbean island is the safest to live in? The safest islands in the Caribbean include: Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, The British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, and St Barts.
What Caribbean countries speak Spanish? ›
There are 10 Caribbean countries in which Spanish is the official language (Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Colombia, Venezuela) and another 5 countries where some Spanish is spoken (Aruba, Curacao, Belize, U.S. Virgin Islands, Trinided and Tobago).
What 5 countries speak Dutch? ›Dutch is spoken in the Netherlands, Belgium (Flanders) and Suriname. Dutch is also an official language of Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten.
Which Caribbean islands are still Dutch? ›Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba are islands in the Caribbean Sea. Together they make up the Caribbean Netherlands.
Are there any French speaking islands in the Caribbean? ›The four French Caribbean islands -- Martinique, St. Barts, Guadeloupe and St. Martin -- offer an experience that blends laid-back relaxation with a sophisticated vibe, complemented by amazing food that showcases the best of Creole and French cuisine.
What is the largest Caribbean island? ›Cuba is the largest island country in the Caribbean sea, with a total area of almost 111 thousand square kilometers, followed by the Dominican Republic, with nearly 49 thousand square kilometers.
What language is Creole? ›A creole language is a language that forms from the blending of two or more languages. The most widely spoken Creole language is Haitian Creole, which developed from a mix of French and several Bantu languages. Other Creole languages include: Papiamento.
What is the #1 Caribbean island? ›The Dominican Republic is the most visited island in the Caribbean. With its seemingly endless white-sand beaches, the Dominican Republic is a popular getaway for tourists searching for an idyllic vacation, plenty of outdoor adventure, and a tinge of colonial history.
What are 5 islands in the Caribbean? ›- Turks and Caicos.
- Antigua.
- The Bahamas.
- Barbados.
- Cayman Islands.
- Jamaica.
- The British Virgin Islands.
- Curacao.
- Haiti (25.2%)
- Dominican Republic (24.4%)
- Cuba (24.1%)
- Puerto Rico (US) (7.0%)
- Jamaica (6.1%)
- Trinidad and Tobago (3.3%)
Taíno is an extinct Arawakan language that was spoken by the Taíno people of the Caribbean. At the time of Spanish contact, it was the most common language throughout the Caribbean.
What nationality speaks Creole? ›
| Country | Region | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Dominican Republic | Caribbean | 2.0 % |
| Saint Lucia | Caribbean | 80.0 % |
| French Guiana | South America | 64.3 % |
| Bahamas | Caribbean | 10.3 % |
South Africa
Possibly the cheapest English-speaking country to live in is South Africa. Not only can you get by without having to go to language school, but most South African cities also have a high standard of living, similar to Western cities, which will make the transition much easier.
Spoken in Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, Papiamento presents a history of resistance and strong sense of identity among the people of the beautiful islands located in the so-called Dutch Caribbean.
What countries in the Caribbean do not speak Spanish? ›Not all islands in the Caribbean have Spanish as their official language. In fact, there are several islands that don't speak Spanish at all. The Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba are all examples of islands in the Caribbean that don't have Spanish as their primary language.
What is the most spoken language in the world? ›1. English (1,452 million speakers) According to Ethnologue, English is the most-spoken language in the world including native and non-native speakers. Like Latin or Greek at the time, English has become the world's common language.
What is the small French island in the Caribbean? ›Guadeloupe has been a French possession since 1635. In 1946 it became an overseas department of France. Formerly part of Guadeloupe was the northern portion the island of Saint Martin, named Saint Martin, now it is an overseas collectivity of France.
Which Caribbean speaks Creole? ›Creole, sometimes referred to as patois, is spoken in several Caribbean islands and countries to varying degrees. This includes Dominica, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barts, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and the Grenadines, Virgin Islands, and Trinidad.
Where to avoid in Caribbean? ›The most dangerous Caribbean islands. On the basis of crime rates, some of the least safe Caribbean Islands to visit include Puerto Rico, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago. As we noted though, most crime in the Caribbean is an internal problem and is linked to inner-city areas well away from tourist resorts.
What is the least violent Caribbean island? ›Montserrat. This island has the lowest crime rates in the entire Caribbean. In Montserrat most visits are trouble-free.
What is the cheapest and safest Caribbean country to live? ›Grenada has the lowest cost of living among the Caribbean countries that offer citizenship-by-investment programs to foreigners. A single resident of Grenada pays about $410 a month on rent and utilities. Above that, they spend $582 on average each month on everyday expenses.
What 3 countries in Central America and Caribbean don t speak Spanish? ›
...
Those countries are:
- Costa Rica.
- El Salvador.
- Guatemala.
- Honduras.
- Nicaragua.
- Panama.
Caribbean Spanish is the dialect of Spanish of people who live in Caribbean Spanish-speaking countries. This type of Spanish is very distinctive and once you hear it once, you can easily identify it due to its unique Caribbean pronunciation.
Which is the only Spanish-speaking country in Europe? ›Perhaps surprisingly, there's only one country in Europe that uses Spanish as an official language: Spain. Besides Spain, Spanish is confined to former overseas colonies of the now-extinct Spanish Empire.
What country speaks French? ›French is the official language** in Belgium, Benin, Burkina, Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central, African, Republic, Chad, Comoros, Côte, d'Ivoire, Democratic, Republic, of, the, Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial, Guinea, France, Guinea, Haiti, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Monaco, Niger, Republic, of, the, Congo, ...
Where all is French spoken? ›The 29 countries are, in alphabetical order: Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, the Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, France, Haiti, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mali, Monaco, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Switzerland, Togo and Vanuatu.
What black countries speak Dutch? ›The language is generally used in South Africa and Namibia. It is also spoken in Zimbabwe and Botswana, but not extensively. Afrikaans developed from Hollandic (Hollands), a vernacular of the Dutch language, which is spoken is South Holland. Hollandic was the main language of the Dutch settlers in the country.
Which is the best Dutch Caribbean island to visit? ›Statia Island
Also referred to as Statius, Statia Island is the best Island in the region if you are looking for a relaxing time on a land which is completely isolated. It is also known as Sint Eustatius by many and it differs from many of the bigger islands in other parts of the Caribbean.
Aruba has been a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands since its inception in March 1815. In fact, relations between Aruba and the Netherlands date back to 1634 when the Dutch settled on the island.
Is Bermuda a part of the Caribbean? ›Bermuda is located about 600 miles due east of the nearest mainland, the USA's North Carolina. It is not in the Caribbean but 900 miles north of it. There are no regular airline or shipping services between the Caribbean and Bermuda, only with the USA, Canada and Britain.
Where do the French go in the Caribbean? ›The French Antilles (St-Martin/Sint Maarten, St-Barthélemy, Guadeloupe and Martinique) form a fascinating quartet, with each offering travelers something different while retaining their rich Franco-Caribbean culture and identity.
Is St Lucia French or British? ›
Along with the other Windward Islands, St. Lucia became a federated state associated with the United Kingdom in 1967. Although it achieved independence in 1979, St. Lucia remains a member of the British Commonwealth.
Do all Caribbean islands speak English? ›English is the official language of 11 independent countries in the Caribbean community. Starting at the top and moving south: Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Belize.
Which Caribbean country is the richest? ›In terms of GDP per capita, Bermuda is the wealthiest Caribbean country and one of the richest island countries in the world.
What is the smallest Caribbean in the world? ›Sint Maarten or Saint Martin is something very special: it is the smallest Caribbean island in the world belonging to two countries, the south as an autonomous region within the Netherlands, the north as part of France.
What is the smallest Caribbean country? ›St. Kitts and Nevis, the smallest country in the Americas in both land area and population, is one of the seven independent territories covered by the United Nations Multi-Country Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. St. Kitts and Nevis is 101 square miles with a population of 53,104 persons.
Is creole a race or ethnicity? ›Contrary to popular belief today, the term carried no racial designation—one could be of entirely European, entirely African, or of mixed ancestry and still be a Creole. It simply meant someone who was native to the colony and, generally, French-speaking and Catholic.
What is broken French called? ›Creole is often incorrectly described as a French dialect. or as “broken French”. It is a language in its own right. with its own pronunciation and grammar.
Is creole the same as Jamaican? ›Jamaican Patois, also known as Patwa and Jamaican Creole, is the most widely spoken language in the country. Compared to a reported 50,000 Jamaicans who speak English, there are 2.7 million who speak Jamaican Patois, a type of English creole that arose during the slave trade.
Who speaks Creole language? ›sjɛ̃]), commonly referred to as simply Creole, or Kreyòl in the Creole language, is a French-based creole language spoken by 10–12 million people worldwide, and is one of the two official languages of Haiti (the other being French), where it is the native language of a majority of the population.
Which Caribbean country speaks English? ›| Anguilla | Antigua and Barbuda |
|---|---|
| Cayman Islands | Dominica |
| Grenada | Guyana |
| Jamaica | Montserrat |
| Netherland Antilles | Saint Kitts and Nevis |
What languages make up Creole? ›
Creole languages include varieties that are based on French, such as Haitian Creole, Louisiana Creole, and Mauritian Creole; English, such as Gullah (on the Sea Islands of the southeastern United States), Jamaican Creole, Guyanese Creole, and Hawaiian Creole; and Portuguese, such as Papiamentu (in Aruba, Bonaire, and ...
What nationality is Creole? ›In present Louisiana, Creole generally means a person or people of mixed colonial French, African American and Native American ancestry. The term Black Creole refers to freed slaves from Haiti and their descendants.
Is Creole a version of French? ›Although over 80 percent of the Haitian creole vocabulary derives from the French language, there are notable differences in the meaning of words that sound similar. Also, the two languages have distinct grammatical structures and writing systems.
Is Creole the same as French? ›Answer and Explanation: Creole and French are not the same language. French creole was derived from French but it is a mix of French with other language influences as well. For example, Haitian creole is a language of Haiti, which at one time was a French colony known as Saint-Domingue.
Is Creole a race or nationality? ›Contrary to popular belief today, the term carried no racial designation—one could be of entirely European, entirely African, or of mixed ancestry and still be a Creole. It simply meant someone who was native to the colony and, generally, French-speaking and Catholic.
What language is broken French? ›...
Vocabulary.
| Haitian Creole | Origin |
|---|---|
| zye | French les yeux 'eyes' |
| diri | French du riz 'rice' |
| ozetazini | French aux Etats-Unis 'in the United States' |
- St. Barts. Saint-Barthélemy, or St. ...
- Anguilla. The U.S. Department of State named Anguilla one of the safest islands in the Caribbean. ...
- The Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands implement some of the strictest gun laws of any Caribbean territory or nation. ...
- Martinique.
| Curaçao | French Guiana |
|---|---|
| Guadeloupe | Haiti |
| Martinique | Sint Maarten |
Jamaica is the third largest of the Caribbean islands, and the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean Sea. Situated 90 miles south of Cuba, 600 miles south of Florida, USA, and 100 miles south-west of Haiti, Jamaica is approximately 146 miles long, 51 miles wide, and has an area of 4,411 square miles.
Is creole the same as Spanish? ›In Louisiana in the United States it refers, in some contexts, to French-speaking white descendants of early French and Spanish settlers and, in other contexts, to a person of mixed black and white ancestry speaking a form of French and Spanish.
Is Cajun a language? ›
The word Cajun popped up in the 19th century to describe the Acadian people of Louisiana. The Acadians were descendants of the French Canadians who were settling in southern Louisiana and the Lafayette region of the state. They spoke a form of the French language and today, the Cajun language is still prevalent.
Why is there no Spanish Creole? ›As it turns out, the reason Spanish Creole never developed is that its progenitor, Pidgin Spanish, did not arise in Africa to be transplanted to the colonies. This same reasoning explains why Brazilian Portuguese Creole never developed.