Suriname Languages: Difference between revisions

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An exceptional variety of languages is spoken in Suriname. Dutch is the official language. It is used mainly in education, government, business and the media. Suriname became the third member of the Dutch Language Union in 2004. Dutch is spoken as a mother tongue by about 60% of the Surinamers, while most others speak it as a second or third language. In the capital Paramaribo it is the main home language in two thirds of the households. Only in the interior of Suriname is Dutch hardly known.
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| link1=[[Suriname Genealogy|Suriname]]
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| link5=[[Suriname Languages|Languages]]
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Sranan Tongo, a local creole language originally spoken by the Creole population group, is the most widely used language in the streets and often interchangeably with Dutch depending on the formality of the setting.
==Description==
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_language '''Dutch'''] - the only official language in Suriname. Known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surinamese_Dutch '''Surinamese Dutch''']<br>
Used in education, government, business, and the media.<br>
Over 60% are native Dutch speakers and 20-30% speak Dutch as a second language. <ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Suriname," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suriname#:~:text=sole%20official%20language, accessed 8 May 2023.</ref>


Surinamese Hindi, a dialect of Bhojpuri, is the third-most used language, spoken by the descendants of British Asian contract workers.
Other languages spoken in Suriname include:
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sranan_Tongo '''Sranan Tongo'''] - a local English-based creole language. Widely used in daily life.
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_Hindustani#Sarnami_Hindustani '''Sarnami Hindustani'''] - also known as '''Sarnami''' or '''Sarnami Hindoestani''' - 3rd most used language


Javanese is spoken by the descendants of Javanese (Indonesian) contract workers.
The Maroon languages of Suriname are:
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saramaccan_language '''Saramaccan''']
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ndyuka_language '''Ndyuka'''] - also known as '''Aukan'''
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluku '''Aluku''']
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramaccan_people '''Paramaccan''']
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saramaccan_language#Matawai '''Matawai''']
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwinti_language '''Kwinti''']


The Maroon languages, somewhat intelligible with Sranan Tongo, include Saramaka, Paramakan, Ndyuka, Aukan, Kwinti and Matawai.
The Amerindian languages of Suriname are:
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akurio_language '''Akurio'''] - also known as '''Akuriyó'''
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arawak_language '''Arawak'''] - also known as '''Lokono''' or '''Lokono Dian''' or '''Arawak-Lokono'''
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carib_language '''Carib'''] - also known as '''Kari'nja''' or '''Carib-Kari'nja'''
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikiana_language '''Sikiana'''] - also known as '''Kashuyana''' or '''Sikiana-Kashuyana'''
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiriy%C3%B3_language '''Tiriyó'''] - also known as '''Tiro-Tiriyó'''
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiwai_language '''Waiwai''']
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warao_language '''Warao'''] - also known as '''Guarauno''', '''Guarao''', and '''Warrau'''
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayana_language '''Wayana''']


Amerindian languages, spoken by Amerindians, include Carib and Arawak.
Languages spoken near the borders of Suriname by migrants from neighboring countries are:
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guyanese_Creole '''Guyanese English Creole'''] - also known as '''Creolese''' or '''Gayiniiz'''
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_language '''Portuguese''']
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_language '''Spanish''']
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language '''French''']
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Guianese_Creole '''French Guianese Creole''']
* '''English'''


Hakka Chinese and Cantonese are spoken by the descendants of the Chinese contract (koelie, coolie) workers. Mandarin is spoken by more recent Chinese immigrants. English, Spanish and Portuguese are also used.
Other languages spoken in Suriname by indentured laborers include:
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javanese_language '''Javanese''']
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakka_Chinese '''Hakka''']
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantonese '''Cantonese''']
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Chinese '''Mandarin''']


English is used in schools and business purposes, while Spanish and Portuguese are spoken by South American residents (Portuguese for Brazilians) and their descendants and also taught in schools.
==Word List(s)==
* [https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/dutch.php#:~:text=Useful%20Dutch%20phrases Useful Dutch phrases] - Omniglot
* [https://polyglotclub.com/wiki/Language/Sranan-tongo/Vocabulary/Useful-phrases#:~:text=Useful%20Phrases%20in%20Sranan-tongo Useful Phrases in Sranan-tongo] - Polyglot Wiki
* [https://wikitravel.org/en/Sranan_phrasebook#:~:text=Sranan%20phrasebook Sranan phrasebook] - WikiTravel
* [https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Sranan_phrasebook#:~:text=Sranan%20phrasebook Sranan phrasebook] - WikiVoyage
[[Dutch Genealogical Word List]]<br>
[[Portuguese Genealogical Word List]]<br>
[[Spanish Genealogical Word List]]<br>
[[French Genealogical Word List]]
 
==Alphabet and Pronunciation==
'''Alphabet'''
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/dutch.htm#:~:text=Dutch%20alphabet Dutch alphabet] - Omniglot
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/sarnami.htm#:~:text=Sarn%C3%A1mi%20Hindustani%20alphabet Sarnámi Hindustani alphabet] - Omniglot
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/akurio.htm#:~:text=Akurio%20alphabet Akurio alphabet] - Omniglot
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/saramaccan.htm#:~:text=Saramaccan%20alphabet Saramaccan alphabet] - Omniglot
 
'''Pronunciation'''
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/dutch.htm#:~:text=Dutch%20pronunciation Dutch pronunciation] - Omniglot
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/sranan.htm#:~:text=Sranan%20pronunciation Sranan pronunciation] - Omniglot
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/sarnami.htm#:~:text=pronunciation Sarnámi Hindustani pronunciation] - Omniglot
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/akurio.htm#:~:text=pronunciation Akurio pronunciation] - Omniglot
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/saramaccan.htm#:~:text=pronunciation Saramaccan pronunciation] - Omniglot
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/tiriyo.htm#:~:text=Tiriy%C3%B3%20pronunciation Tiriyó pronunciation] - Omniglot
 
==Language Aids and Dictionaries==
'''Dictionaries'''
* Quist, Gerdi and Dennis Strik. ''Essential Dutch dictionary : Dutch-English/English-Dutch dictionary.'' Chicago, Ill: McGraw-Hill, 2010. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/613428317 WorldCat].
* Wilner, John, Ronald Pinas, and Hertoch Linger. ''Sranan Tongo - English dictionary.'' Paramaribo, Suriname: Summer Institute of Linguistics, 1992. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/38716964 WorldCat].
 
'''Online Dictionaries'''
* [https://glosbe.com/en/srn Dictionary English - Sranan Tongo] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/srn/en Dictionary Sranan Tongo - English] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/srm/en Dictionary Saramaccan - English] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/en/srm Dictionary English - Saramaccan] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/gyn/en Dictionary Guyanese Creole English - English] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/en/gyn Dictionary English - Guyanese Creole English] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/gcr/en Dictionary Guianese Creole French - English] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/en/gcr Dictionary English - Guianese Creole French] - Glosbe
 
'''Language Aids'''
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/sranan.htm#:~:text=Sranan%20(Sranan%20Tongo) Sranan (Sranan Tongo)] - Omniglot
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/tiriyo.htm#:~:text=Tiriy%C3%B3%20(tar%C3%ABno%20ijomi) Tiriyó (tarëno ijomi)] - Omniglot
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saramaccan_language#:~:text=Phonology Saramaccan grammar] - Wikipedia
 
==Additional Resources==
* Arends, Jacques. ''Language and slavery : a social and linguistic history of the Suriname creoles.'' Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2017. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/984899011 WorldCat].
* Chamoreau, Claudine. ''A new look at language contact in Amerindian languages.'' München: LINCOM Europa, 2010. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/702610640 WorldCat].
 
== References  ==
{{reflist}}
 
==Overview==
An exceptional variety of languages is spoken in Suriname. Dutch is the official language. It is used mainly in education, government, business and the media. Suriname became the third member of the Dutch Language Union in 2004. Dutch is spoken as a mother tongue by about 60% of the Surinamers, while most others speak it as a second or third language. In the capital Paramaribo it is the main home language in two thirds of the households. Only in the interior of Suriname is Dutch hardly known.
 
Recognised regional languages: <br>Sranan Tongo, Hindi, English, Sarnami, Javanese, Malay, Bhojpuri, Hakka, Cantonese, Saramaccan, Paramaccan, Ndyuka, Kwinti, Matawai, Cariban, Arawakan Kalina
 
Sranan Tongo, a local creole language originally spoken by the Creole population group, is the most widely used language in the streets and often interchangeably with Dutch depending on the formality of the setting.
 
Surinamese Hindi, a dialect of Bhojpuri, is the third-most used language, spoken by the descendants of British Asian contract workers.
 
Javanese is spoken by the descendants of Javanese (Indonesian) contract workers.
 
The Maroon languages, somewhat intelligible with Sranan Tongo, include Saramaka, Paramakan, Ndyuka, Aukan, Kwinti and Matawai.
 
Amerindian languages, spoken by Amerindians, include Carib and Arawak.
 
Hakka Chinese and Cantonese are spoken by the descendants of the Chinese contract (koelie, coolie) workers. Mandarin is spoken by more recent Chinese immigrants. English, Spanish and Portuguese are also used.
 
English is used in schools and business purposes, while Spanish and Portuguese are spoken by South American residents (Portuguese for Brazilians) and their descendants and also taught in schools.  


The public discourse about Suriname's languages is a part of ongoing debates about the country's national identity. While Dutch is perceived as a remnant of colonialism by some, the use of the popular Sranan became associated with nationalist politics after its public use by former dictator Dési Bouterse in the 1980s, and groups descended from runaway slaves like the Maroons resent it. Some propose to change the national language to English, so as to improve links to the Caribbean and North America, or to Spanish, as a nod to Suriname's geography.
The public discourse about Suriname's languages is a part of ongoing debates about the country's national identity. While Dutch is perceived as a remnant of colonialism by some, the use of the popular Sranan became associated with nationalist politics after its public use by former dictator Dési Bouterse in the 1980s, and groups descended from runaway slaves like the Maroons resent it. Some propose to change the national language to English, so as to improve links to the Caribbean and North America, or to Spanish, as a nod to Suriname's geography.
==Other Resources==
*[http://www.lexilogos.com/english/hindi_dictionary.htm Online Hindi language resources]
*[https://www.omniglot.com/writing/hindi.htm Hindi Script]
*[http://hindi-english.org/ Hindi online dictionary]
*[https://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/romanization/hindi.pdf Hindi transliteration information]
*[http://mylanguages.org/hindi_romanization.php Hindi Romanization converter]
*[http://mylanguages.org/learn_hindi.php Hindi basics and grammar]
*[http://aboutworldlanguages.com/hindi Hindi language overview]


[[Category:Suriname]]
[[Category:Suriname]]

Latest revision as of 20:59, 20 March 2024


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Description[edit | edit source]

Dutch - the only official language in Suriname. Known as Surinamese Dutch
Used in education, government, business, and the media.
Over 60% are native Dutch speakers and 20-30% speak Dutch as a second language. [1]

Other languages spoken in Suriname include:

  • Sranan Tongo - a local English-based creole language. Widely used in daily life.
  • Sarnami Hindustani - also known as Sarnami or Sarnami Hindoestani - 3rd most used language

The Maroon languages of Suriname are:

The Amerindian languages of Suriname are:

  • Akurio - also known as Akuriyó
  • Arawak - also known as Lokono or Lokono Dian or Arawak-Lokono
  • Carib - also known as Kari'nja or Carib-Kari'nja
  • Sikiana - also known as Kashuyana or Sikiana-Kashuyana
  • Tiriyó - also known as Tiro-Tiriyó
  • Waiwai
  • Warao - also known as Guarauno, Guarao, and Warrau
  • Wayana

Languages spoken near the borders of Suriname by migrants from neighboring countries are:

Other languages spoken in Suriname by indentured laborers include:

Word List(s)[edit | edit source]

Dutch Genealogical Word List
Portuguese Genealogical Word List
Spanish Genealogical Word List
French Genealogical Word List

Alphabet and Pronunciation[edit | edit source]

Alphabet

Pronunciation

Language Aids and Dictionaries[edit | edit source]

Dictionaries

  • Quist, Gerdi and Dennis Strik. Essential Dutch dictionary : Dutch-English/English-Dutch dictionary. Chicago, Ill: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Available at: WorldCat.
  • Wilner, John, Ronald Pinas, and Hertoch Linger. Sranan Tongo - English dictionary. Paramaribo, Suriname: Summer Institute of Linguistics, 1992. Available at: WorldCat.

Online Dictionaries

Language Aids

Additional Resources[edit | edit source]

  • Arends, Jacques. Language and slavery : a social and linguistic history of the Suriname creoles. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2017. Available at: WorldCat.
  • Chamoreau, Claudine. A new look at language contact in Amerindian languages. München: LINCOM Europa, 2010. Available at: WorldCat.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Suriname," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suriname#:~:text=sole%20official%20language, accessed 8 May 2023.

Overview[edit | edit source]

An exceptional variety of languages is spoken in Suriname. Dutch is the official language. It is used mainly in education, government, business and the media. Suriname became the third member of the Dutch Language Union in 2004. Dutch is spoken as a mother tongue by about 60% of the Surinamers, while most others speak it as a second or third language. In the capital Paramaribo it is the main home language in two thirds of the households. Only in the interior of Suriname is Dutch hardly known.

Recognised regional languages:
Sranan Tongo, Hindi, English, Sarnami, Javanese, Malay, Bhojpuri, Hakka, Cantonese, Saramaccan, Paramaccan, Ndyuka, Kwinti, Matawai, Cariban, Arawakan Kalina

Sranan Tongo, a local creole language originally spoken by the Creole population group, is the most widely used language in the streets and often interchangeably with Dutch depending on the formality of the setting.

Surinamese Hindi, a dialect of Bhojpuri, is the third-most used language, spoken by the descendants of British Asian contract workers.

Javanese is spoken by the descendants of Javanese (Indonesian) contract workers.

The Maroon languages, somewhat intelligible with Sranan Tongo, include Saramaka, Paramakan, Ndyuka, Aukan, Kwinti and Matawai.

Amerindian languages, spoken by Amerindians, include Carib and Arawak.

Hakka Chinese and Cantonese are spoken by the descendants of the Chinese contract (koelie, coolie) workers. Mandarin is spoken by more recent Chinese immigrants. English, Spanish and Portuguese are also used.

English is used in schools and business purposes, while Spanish and Portuguese are spoken by South American residents (Portuguese for Brazilians) and their descendants and also taught in schools.

The public discourse about Suriname's languages is a part of ongoing debates about the country's national identity. While Dutch is perceived as a remnant of colonialism by some, the use of the popular Sranan became associated with nationalist politics after its public use by former dictator Dési Bouterse in the 1980s, and groups descended from runaway slaves like the Maroons resent it. Some propose to change the national language to English, so as to improve links to the Caribbean and North America, or to Spanish, as a nod to Suriname's geography.

Other Resources[edit | edit source]

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