Papiamento facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Papiamento |
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|---|---|
| Papiamentu | |
| Native to | Aruba, Curaçao, Caribbean Netherlands: Bonaire |
| Native speakers | 412,694 (date missing) |
| Language family |
Portuguese Creole
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| Writing system | Latin (Papiamento orthography) |
| Official status | |
| Official language in | Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao |
| Linguasphere | 51-AAC-be |
Location map of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, where Papiamento is spoken
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Papiamento or Papiamentu is a special kind of language called a creole language. It is spoken in the sunny Caribbean region. This language is the most common one on the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. These islands are often called the ABC islands. Papiamento is also spoken a lot in Sint Eustatius and Saba.
Contents
What is Papiamento?
Papiamento is a unique language that developed from a mix of different languages. Creole languages are born when people who speak different languages need to communicate. Over time, they create a new language that borrows words and grammar from all their original languages. Papiamento is mainly based on Portuguese and Spanish. It also has words from Dutch, African languages, and even some Arawakan words from the native people of the islands.
Where Papiamento is Spoken
Papiamento is the official language on Aruba and Curaçao. It is also an official language on Bonaire, which is part of the Caribbean Netherlands. This means you will hear Papiamento everywhere on these islands. It is used in schools, government, and daily life. Many people on these islands also speak Dutch, Spanish, and English.
The History of Papiamento
Papiamento started to form in the 17th century. It developed on Curaçao, which was a busy trading hub. People from many different places came to the island. They spoke various languages like Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and different African languages. To understand each other, they started mixing words and grammar. This mix eventually became Papiamento. The first written example of Papiamento dates back to 1783. The first book printed in Papiamento was a catechism in 1837.
How Papiamento Sounds
Papiamento has a lively and rhythmic sound. It is known for its unique pronunciation and grammar rules. For example, the word for "sweet" or "nice" in Papiamento is dushi. You will hear this word often on the islands. It can be used to describe food, a person, or even the weather.
Writing Papiamento
Papiamento uses the Latin alphabet for writing. This is the same alphabet used for English and many other European languages. There are two main ways to spell Papiamento words. One way is used on Aruba, and the other is used on Curaçao and Bonaire. Both ways are correct and help people read and write the language.
Images for kids
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Burial site and monument to Doctor Moises Frumencio da Costa Gomez, the first prime minister of the Netherlands Antilles, with a message inscribed in Papiamento: No hasi ku otro loke bo no ke pa otro hasi ku bo, roughly meaning: "Do not do unto others what you do not want others do unto you"
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Catecismo Corticu – the first printed book in Papiamento in 1837
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Boo Jantje letter from 1783
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Poems in Papiamento, Leiden
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The meaning of dushi explained in Caribbean style
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See also
In Spanish: Papiamento para niños
