CHARACTERISTICS OF

CREOLE
MODULE 2
Presenter – Kadian Smith-Cameron
 WHAT IS CREOLE

TO UNDERSTAND WHAT CREOLE MEANS, WE FIRST HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LANGUAGE AND A LANGUAGE AND THE
FEATURES/CHARACTERISTICS OF A LANGUAGE.
DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LANGUAGE AND A LANGUAGE

A language refers to a specific use of a particular code within a language community (for example French, Spanish, English or
Creole) at a given time and place, whereas “Language is an inborn potential to use a linguistic system of signs and sounds (called
a code) for the purpose of communication that is shared by all other human beings.”

ALSO, WHO CAN NAME THE FEATURES and/or FUNCTIONS OF A LANGUAGE

 CREOLE DEFINE

- A Creole is a language that comes into being through contact between two or
more languages.
- When people who speak different languages find themselves in a situation where
they have to communicate with each other for purposes of trade, business or to
survive, these people usually devise a form of language communication, called a
pidgin. A pidgin is a simplified version of a language that has been augmented by
features of other languages. Pidgins are not ordinary languages since they are
normally used only for communication between persons from different speech
communities.
CREOLE DEFINE CONT’D

- However, in some cases, a pidgin begins to be used as the first language of

people in the same community (usually the children). This pidgin becomes a
native language; therefore all Creole languages start as pidgins. When a pidgin
becomes a creole, it is because its use and vocabulary have expanded. The use
is no longer restricted to trade or basic communication but has expanded to
include all the linguistic needs of the speaker in whatever context is required.
- Sometimes Creole languages are referred to as patois or patwa.
CREOLE DEFINE CONT’D

- However, the word patois can be used as a synonym for any non-standard variety
or local dialect, including pidgins.
- Although a Creole has influences from several languages in its sounds, structure
and vocabulary, it is usually classified according to what is perceived as the
dominant language ancestor.
- Therefore, in the Caribbean, Creoles are referred to as English-based,
French-based, Dutch-based, or Portuguese-based.
- Generally, Creoles from a European and African language mix (such as those
spoken in the Caribbean) have obvious similarities in grammatical structure.
(Osborne and Simon, 2014)
PIDGIN VS CREOLE
 THE CREOLE CONTINUUM
WHAT IS THE CREOLE CONTINUUM

A CONTINUOUS SPECTRUM OF SPEECH VARIETIES RANGING FROM THE CREOLE TO THE STANDARD
LANGUAGE.

MAIN LEVELS OF THE CONTINUUM:

ACROLECT (STANDARD VARIETY)

MESOLECT (INTERMEDIATE VARIETY)

BASILECT (CREOLE)
CHARACTERISTICS OF CREOLE

GRAMMAR - Rules governing the correct

LEXICON - the vocabulary of a language.
use of language
Although the lexical items of Patois are English
based, many are used in non-English ways

SEMANTICS - the proper agreement of

the sound system of a language. words in a sentence
PHONOLOGY -
Patois has a sound system
independent of English

NB:Jamaican Creole is considered a language like any other for two basic reasons:
1. It possesses the characteristic/features of a language AND 2. It performs the functions
of a language.
GRAMMAR
CHARACTERISTIC OF CREOLE
OTHER GRAMMATICAL FEATURES
GIVE IT A TRY – GRAMMAR ACTIVITY
HOW WELL DID YOU DO
PHONOLOGICAL
CHARACTERISTIC OF CREOLE
HOW WELL DID YOU DO
LEXICON
CHARACTERISTIC OF CREOLE
LET’S SEE HOW WELL YOU DID
SYNTACTIC
CHARACTERISTIC OF CREOLE
CREOLE IS CONSIDERED A LANGUAGE BASED
ON THESE LINGUISTIC FEATURES
 A FEW IMPORTANT TERMS TO LEARN:

Language variety
This is a form of language, it maybe a dialect, a standard language, a register or another form of a language. Language
variation is the speaker's’ ability to use different forms of language to suit their communication needs depending on the context
they are in, for example whether they are in a social setting or in the workplace etc.

In the Caribbean, language variation is based on Caribbean Standard English and Creole. Variations also includes the use of
particular styles or different levels of formality.
A FEW IMPORTANT TERMS TO LEARN CONT’D:
Vernacular
The commonly spoken language or dialect of
a particular people or place.
Standard Language
The language or dialect of a country used for
formal and official purposes, such as
education.
Creole
A language formed when there is a contact
between people who speak different language. It
is based on a combination of features of the
original languages, along with its own new
features.
Accent
This refers to how words sound. Different
accents around the Caribbean results in the same
word sounding different when spoken by
different people from different countries, regions
or social backgrounds.
A FEW IMPORTANT TERMS TO LEARN CONT’D:
Dialect

A variety of language spoken by a particular social, geographical or cultural group of people. Dialects tend to differ in
vocabulary and pronunciation rather than grammar.

Code switch

Using more than one language variety in conversation or even within a sentence.