The Creole people of Belize share a common language. Although there are slight
variations in the way the Kriol is spoken throughout Belize, it is predominantly
the same language throughout the country. It also shares common features with
other Creole languages around the Caribbean.
We consider Kriol as a different language than English, and not as dialect
of English for several reasons:
- A language is a set of several linguistic systems which work
together to form communication; there is pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar,
and meaning. While the variation between each of these systems for Kriol
and English may not be great, the sum of these differences creates a significant
difference. The difference between Kriol grammar and English grammar is
particularly different.
- The perceptions of Kriol as ‘bad English’ and ‘just’ a dialect of English
are psychologically damaging generalizations to the people who value Kriol
as part of their identity.
- The concept of Kriol as a variation of English creates a misunderstanding
that hinders children from more proficient acquisition of a more standard
form of English.
Therefore, Kriol would better be appreciated, and English better learned,
as a separate language, not a dialect.
More details about the
Kriol language
