Cabo Verde Languages

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Cape Verde

Languages

Description

Cape Verde's official language is Portuguese. It is the language of instruction and government. It is also used in newspapers, television, and radio.

Cape Verdean Creole or Kriolu is used colloquially and is the mother tongue of virtually all Cape Verdeans. The national constitution calls for measures to give it parity with Portuguese. Cape Verdean Creole is a dialect continuum of a Portuguese-based creole. There is a substantial body of literature in Creole and has been gaining prestige since the nation's independence from Portugal.

The differences between the forms of the language within the islands have been a major obstacle in the way of standardization of the language. Some people have advocated the development of two standards: a North (Barlavento) standard, centered on the São Vicente Creole, and a South (Sotavento) standard, centered on the Santiago Creole.

Word List(s)

For word list and help researching in Cape Verde records, see:

• Portuguese Genealogical Word List

A list of Cape Verde words and their English interpretations.

How are you? = Tudu dretu?
I'm good. = Tudu dretu.
You = bu
Me = N or ami
We = Nu
(v) to go = ba
(v) to speak = papia
(v) to eat = kume
(v) to be = sta
I don't speak Creole. = N ka pode papia Kriolu.