Languages of the African Diaspora

Languages and dialects spoken by the African Diaspora, such as African French, Haitian Creole, Jamaican Patois, AAVE, Nigerian Pidgin, and more have roots in slavery and colonialism. They are greatly influenced by European languages, African languages, and languages spoken by Indigenous groups of the Americas. 

 African French and Nigerian Pidgin

The history of African French is related to the history of French colonialism in Africa. The French colonized 21 countries in Africa including Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, and more. French was prioritized over indigenous languages and reinforced by integrating the language into the school system. While African French and its different dialects are spoken throughout Africa, Nigerian Pidgin is spoken all across Nigeria. It is linked to British and Portuguese traders, but also uses words from different Nigerian tribes.

Haitian Creole, Jamaican Patois, and AAVE (African American Vernacular English)

Languages and dialects like Haitian Creole, Jamaican Patois, and AAVE developed during slavery. Most of the orthography of these languages developed from enslaved Africans not being able to speak their own native languages on plantations but also being forbidden from learning how to read or write in the languages of their colonizers. While having heavy influence from Europeans, the languages are also greatly inspired by African and Indigenous Languages.

From Haitian Creole to AAVE, the voices of the African Diaspora echo centuries of strength, survival, and cultural brilliance

Although these tongues have ties to European colonialism, they have their own histories and stories. They are more than just broken English, French, Spanish, etc. These languages and dialects show the resilience and strength of the African Diaspora.