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Bahamas Languages: Difference between revisions
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==Description== | ==Description== | ||
The official language of The Bahamas is '''English'''.<br> | |||
Many people speak an English-based creole language (called '''Bahamian Creole''' or '''Bahamian English''' or Bahamianese).<br> | |||
'''Haitian Creole''', a French-based creole language is spoken by Haitians and their descendants, who make up of about 25% of the total population. It is known simply as Creole[1] to differentiate it from Bahamian English. <ref>Wikipedia contributors, "The Bahamas," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bahamas#Languages#:~:text=Languages, accessed 27 Jul 2021.</ref> | |||
==Word List(s)== | ==Word List(s)== | ||
*[https://theculturetrip.com/caribbean/the-bahamas/articles/15-phrases-to-know-before-visiting-the-bahamas/ 15 Phrases to Know] - Culture Trip | |||
*[https://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/talk-like-a-bahamian-island-terms-and-phrases Bahamian - Island Terms and Phrases] - Nassau Paradise Island | |||
==Alphabet and Pronunciation== | ==Alphabet and Pronunciation== | ||
The Bahamian Alphabet is the same as the United States Alphabet. | |||
Though there is variation between black and white speakers, there is a tendency for speakers to drop /h/ or, in a hypercorrection, to add it to words without it so harm and arm are pronounced the same. The merger occurs most often in the speech of Abaco and north Eleuthera. | |||
Other characteristics of Bahamian Creole in comparison to English include:[5] | |||
*Merger of the vowels of fair and fear into [ɛə] | |||
*Free variation of the "happy" vowel between [ɪ] and [i]. | |||
*The vowel of first merges with that of fuss (into [ʌ]) among some and with the vowel of foist (into [ʌɪ]) in others. | |||
*As the creole is non-rhotic; /r/ is not pronounced unless it is before a vowel. | |||
*Final clusters are often simplified, especially when they share voicing (gold > gol, but not milk > *mil). | |||
*The pin–pen merger occurs. <ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Bahamian Creole," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahamian_Creole#:~:text=Pronunciation, accessed 27 Jul 2021.</ref> | |||
==Language Aids and Dictionaries== | ==Language Aids and Dictionaries== | ||
'''Dictionaries''' | |||
* John A Holm & Alison Watt Shilling, '''''Dictionary of Bahamian English''''', Cold Spring : NY : Lexik House publ., 1982 - [https://www.worldcat.org/title/dictionary-of-bahamian-english/oclc/462132248&referer=brief_results Available at WorldCat] | |||
*[https://bahamianology.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017-DICTIONARY-OF-BAHAMIAN-WORDS-AND-PHRASES.pdf Dictionary of Bahamian Words and Phrases] - Bahamianology | |||
'''Online Dictionaries''' | |||
* [https://www.dloc.com/IR00000128/00001 Dictionary of Bahamian English] - Dictionary Library of the Carribean | |||
'''Langugage Aids''' | |||
* Patricia Glinton-Meicholas, '''''Talkin' Bahamian : a useful guide to the language of the islands''''', Nassau, Bahamas : Guanima Press in association with the Counsellors Ltd., 1994 - [https://www.worldcat.org/title/talkin-bahamian-a-useful-guide-to-the-language-of-the-islands/oclc/33047287&referer=brief_results Available at WorldCat] | |||
==Additional Resources== | ==Additional Resources== | ||
* Stephanie Hackert, '''''Bahamian Creole''''', Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2013 - [https://www.worldcat.org/title/bahamian-creole/oclc/862725654&referer=brief_results Available at WorldCat] | |||
* Stephanie Hackert, '''''Urban Bahamian Creole : system and variation''''', Amsterdam : Benjamins, 2004 - [https://www.worldcat.org/title/urban-bahamian-creole-system-and-variation/oclc/231989250&referer=brief_results Available at WorldCat] | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Bahamas]] | [[Category:Bahamas]] | ||