Introduction
Introduction
Haitian Creole (Kreyòl ayisyen) is a French-based creole language spoken by about 12 million people. The vast majorities of these speakers live in Haiti, but through immigration two to three million also reside in vibrant Haitian immigrant communities in other Caribbean countries, France, and the United States. Along with French, it is the official language of Haiti.
While it is lexically similar to 18th century French, its also has large influences from African and Arawakan languages. Arawak is the language family of the Native Americans living in Haiti before colonization. Haitian Creole also has many words borrowed from English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic.
Despite Haitian Creole officially being a separate language from French, we include it here for those planning on traveling to Haiti as well as the curious. Knowledge of French serves as a solid foundation for understanding Haitian Creole, however it can be as different from standard French as Portuguese is from Spanish. This first lesson contains greetings, while the second lesson has useful everyday phrases.
Other types of French Creole are also spoken in the Americas in the State of Louisiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Îles des Saintes, Dominica, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and French Guiana; and in various islands in the India Ocean such as Mauritius, Réunion, and Seychelles among others.
While it is lexically similar to 18th century French, its also has large influences from African and Arawakan languages. Arawak is the language family of the Native Americans living in Haiti before colonization. Haitian Creole also has many words borrowed from English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic.
Despite Haitian Creole officially being a separate language from French, we include it here for those planning on traveling to Haiti as well as the curious. Knowledge of French serves as a solid foundation for understanding Haitian Creole, however it can be as different from standard French as Portuguese is from Spanish. This first lesson contains greetings, while the second lesson has useful everyday phrases.
Other types of French Creole are also spoken in the Americas in the State of Louisiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Îles des Saintes, Dominica, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and French Guiana; and in various islands in the India Ocean such as Mauritius, Réunion, and Seychelles among others.
Phrases
Les phrases
Sa fe lon temps nou pa we.
Long time no see.
Haiti