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Languages in Haiti

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There are two distinct languages that are spoken in the whole of Haiti. The most spoken language among Haitians is Creole. The other language spoken is French. However, not all Haitians can speak French. According to statistics, only 1 in 10 Haitians can speak French. This being said, Haiti is not considered as s Francophone nation like as not all of them or not even majority of the population could actually speak the romantic French language.

The Creole language that evolved in present-day Haiti is unlike most Creole languages to be found among its neighbors. Mostly, the present day Creole languages have evolved from the English language but the one found in Haiti has a trademark of France. One other Creole language that is said to resemble the one in Haiti is the Creole language found in Louisiana, USA.

The French language is usually reserved for the elite. If one doesn’t know how to speak French then it automatically cancels out pretenders and wannabes. Haitian Creole is actually riddled with slangs and informal terms that it is not an acceptable language among the elite. Speaking fluent French is a better ticket of getting into the circle of the elite rather than having a lighter skin color. Government positions of import as well as position in the corporate setting usually also demand that a candidate should be a French speaker.

Although there is a definite fine line between French speakers and non-speakers, people who do not speak French doesn’t begrudged those who speak but even give them greater respect as it means that they have what it takes to rise high in society.