Dominica Languages

Dominica

Languages

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Description

English is the official language of Dominica and is universally spoken and understood.

In addition, Dominican Creole, an Antillean Creole based on French, is widely spoken. This is due to French migration to the island starting in 1690. A majority French Creole speaking population reside on the island.

Along with Creole, a dialect known as Kokoy (or Cockoy) is spoken. It is a type of pidgin English which is a mix of Leeward Island English Creole and Dominican Creole, and is mainly spoken in the north-eastern villages of Marigot and Wesley.

Alphabet and Pronunciation

Créole	IPA Transcription	Standard pronunciation
g	g	hard G like in Garage
h	h	use like in Ham
i	i	Pronounced like "ee" as in see
j	ʒ	Pronounced as french J.
k	k	Replaces hard "C", "Qu". K as in Kick
w	w	W replaces R in some words derived from French, but in Creole, they are two different letters.
s	s	Replaces the soft "C" and pronounced like "S" in Soft
y	j	pronounced like "Yuh" as in Yuck
z	z	Replaces "S" when used between vowels, and pronounced as in Zebra
an	ɑ̃	nasalized sound used in French. Does not exist in English
àn	an	Pronounced as a not nasalized sound with an emphasis on the "N" "ane" in English
ann	ɑ̃n	an nasalised French "an" with long "n" sound "Pronounced like "anne".
anm	ɑ̃m	an nasalised French "an" with long "m" sound "Pronounced like "ahmm".
ay	aj	Pronounced as "eye" in English
in	in	Never nasalised.
en	ɛ̃	Always nasalised
enn		Pronounced as in Garden
on	ɔ̃	Sound does not exist in English. It is a nasal on as used in French.
onm	ɔ̃m	Nasal sound + M.
onn	ɔ̃n	Nasal sound + N.
ch	ʃ	Pronounced as "Sh" in English
a		pronounced as a short a as in Cat
b		Pronounced as B en English
f		Pronounced as F in English
d		Pronounced as D in English Like Dog
m		Pronounced as M in English Like Man.
n		Pronounced as N in English Like Never
Ò		Pronounced as "Or" as in More
R		Often replaced by W in beginnings of words, but pronounced as Racquet
P		Pronounced as in Pea
T		Pronounced as in Tea
V		Pronounced as in Volcano
W		Pronounced as in Water