Languages in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has a stable official language that co-exists along with ethnic dialects. The rich selection of vernaculars includes English (main dialect), Vincentian Creole, French Patois, Portuguese, and Bhojpuri. As a result, varied expressions of culture are provided for the locals through these available means of communication. Undoubtedly, these are implications of the nation’s colonial history.

English has been prevalent for the State is proximate to the Americas aside from the fact that the first Carib settlers are of American lineage. It is the official language widely used by 400,000 inhabitants. It is integrated to the educational system as the exclusive means of instruction from primary to tertiary education. It is also incorporated in the national multimedia scheme such as print, audio, and visual media. It is likewise spoken in formal settings both in private and public offices.

Vincentian Creole is practiced as the native tongue across the country. It was developed as a distinctive variation of the English language customized for use commonly in rural areas. It has gradually gained popularity with 138,000 local speakers. It makes use of the Latin alphabet for its written form along with the Saint Vincent Language Code. It is related in some extent to Atlantic, Eastern, and Southern languages.

French Patois is likewise spoken which can be traced from the French domination in the past. It has a few yet significant groups of speaker particularly those of European ancestry. It has remarkable legacies embedded in the Vincentian vocabulary like names of domestic locations such as Mayreau, Petit Vincent, and Sans Souci.