Haitian Creole Basics
Haitian Creole is mainly based on this European language.
What is French?
Cape Verdean Creole is primarily based on this European language.
What is Portuguese?
The first enslaved Africans arrived in Haiti under Spanish rule in this century, laying the foundation for the development of Haitian Creole.
What is the 16th century?
In Haitian Creole, "Dèyè mòn, gen mòn" (Behind mountains, there are mountains) is a proverb that means this.
What is "Life is full of challenges" or "There are always more obstacles ahead"?
This Haitian revolutionary leader helped Haiti gain independence and is often called the "Father of Haiti."
Who is Jean-Jacques Dessalines?
Haitian Creole has two major dialectal divisions: one centered around Port-au-Prince and another influenced by rural regions. Name one.
What is Central (Port-au-Prince) or Northern (Cap-Haïtien) Creole?
This is the name of the creole spoken in Cape Verde.
What is Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu)?
The Cape Verdean Creole spoken on the island of Santiago is often considered the most conservative because of its retention of these linguistic features.
What are archaic Portuguese words and African influences?
The Cape Verdean Creole proverb "Kada garafa ten bu tampu" (Every bottle has its cap) expresses this idea.
What is "Everything has its match" or "There's someone for everyone"?
This Cape Verdean singer, known as the "Barefoot Diva," popularized Cape Verdean Creole music worldwide.
Who is Cesária Évora?
The word "zanmi" in Haitian Creole means this in English
What is friend?
The phrase "Bom dia" in Cape Verdean Creole means this in English.
What is "Good morning"?
Cape Verdean Creole was heavily influenced by the Portuguese because Cape Verde was an important hub for this historical trade.
What is the transatlantic slave trade?
In Haitian Creole, "Men anpil, chay pa lou" (Many hands make the load lighter) promotes this cultural value.
What is community and cooperation?
This Haitian-American musician incorporates Haitian Creole into his songs and was part of The Fugees.
Who is Wyclef Jean?
The Haitian Creole phrase "Mwen grangou" means this in English.
What is "I am hungry"?
The word "morabeza" is often used to describe Cape Verdean culture. It means this.
What is hospitality or warmth?
Before Haitian Creole was officially recognized, it was often referred to by this term, implying it was a "broken" or "inferior" version of French.
What is patois?
In Cape Verdean Creole, the expression "Sta na moda" (It's in fashion) can mean this beyond clothing trends.
What is "It's popular right now" or "Everyone is doing it"?
This Cape Verdean politician and poet helped lead the fight for independence from Portugal.
Who is Amílcar Cabral?
This 1804 event played a major role in the development of Haitian Creole as a national language.
What is the Haitian Revolution?
Cape Verdean Creole has different dialects depending on this factor.
What is the island?
The Creole Continuum theory explains how Haitian Creole and Cape Verdean Creole evolved into separate language varieties rather than remaining a simplified form of their parent languages. It consists of three levels: basilect, mesolect, and this third level.
What is acrolect?
The Haitian Creole idiom "Yon grenn pwa pa di zorye plen" (One bean doesn’t mean the pillow is full) teaches this lesson.
What is "Don't assume too much from little evidence"?
This Haitian author wrote Gouverneurs de la Rosée in both French and Haitian Creole.
Who is Jacques Roumain?