Today, most Haitian Creole speakers are black Africans of Sub-Saharan African origins. In 2016, Haiti’s population was at an all-time high, at 10.85 million people. While the ethnicity of Haitian Creole is mostly of Sub-Saharan African origins, that’s not all. There are many more ethnicities both inside Haitian and outside it that speak Haitian Creole. This article will explore the ethnicity of Haitian Creole, so keep reading!
What Are the Ethnicities of Haitian Creole Speakers?
Aside from the Sub-Saharan African ethnicity, you’ll find that Haitian Creole speakers come from multiple backgrounds and are of different nationalities and ethnicities. Some of them include:
- Italians
- Jews
- Poles
- Indians
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Arabs
- Chinese
The percentage of each Haitian Creole ethnicity is varied but most of them are African coming from Haiti. The reason for this is the cultural and social context that surrounds the origins of Haitian Creole. The language appeared as a necessity in organizing a nationwide revolt against slavery in Haiti, the former Saint-Domingue.
This revolt didn’t happen immediately and many other factors led to it, but Haitian Creole was an essential part of it. Without a common language, people can’t communicate and work together. If there is a means of communication, then everything is achievable, even a nationwide revolution against slavery.
How Did Haitian Creole Form?
Before Haitian Creole was the official language of Haiti, and before Haiti was a country, there was Saint-Domingue. This was one of the West Indian French colonies established in 1659. This colony initially dealt with tobacco plantations but then transitioned to sugar cane plantations. The plantation workers were, naturally, slaves for the French slave owners.
The slaves in Saint-Domingue came from various parts of the world but generally, they came from Africa. Over time, slaves developed a common language, a dialect if you will, to understand one another. This language had multiple influences from French, Portuguese, Spanish, Taino, and several other African languages.
Slowly but steadily, more slaves learned this dialect and eventually planned a revolt in 1791, on August 22. By 1803, the slaves had not only eliminated slavery from the colony but driven the French occupiers away. The entire island was theirs to control. And to make sure the French didn’t implement slavery again, the independence of Haiti was proclaimed in 1804 with French as the official language.
At that point, almost no one spoke French. Haitian Creole would grow to become the unofficial national language of Haiti. In 1757, the first poem in Haitian Creole was written. However, the language hadn’t been standardized yet. Only in the mid-19th century did president Elie Lescot standardize the language.
In the Constitution of 1987, Haitian Creole became the official language of Haiti. This wasn’t such a drastic change because the language had been spoken for many generations already. The entire country had been speaking Haitian Creole ever since the end of the beginning of the 19th century.
What Must Your Remember About Haitian Creole?
Haitian Creole’s main ethnicity is Sub-Saharan African, as most speakers are blacks. But now, there are many more ethnicities speaking Haitian Creole throughout the world, as the language has become very popular recently. Due to its deep historical significance, Haitian Creole will always remain strongly related to the identity of the Haitian people and their culture.
If you’re thinking that Haitian Creole is of utmost importance today, then you’re right. Learning Haitian Creole has never been a more worthwhile endeavor, especially for people looking to access new professional opportunities. Culturally, you’ll come to know an awe-inspiring people with a wonderful culture, and linguistically, you won’t have as many problems as you’d think. Haitian Creole is fairly easy to learn!