Dialect v 'proper' language

[evanovitch]

Many individual Caribbean countries have their own distinct dialect or 'patois' in addition to the official language.
There has been widespread debate on whether those dialects should be recognised as legitimate languages.

The topic came up again last week among the French Caribbean community in Britain at their annual Creole Day celebrations.


Some other countries want to follow the footsteps of Haiti which is the only country where Creole is an official language.

<span style="font-weight: bold">WHAT DO YOU THINK?</span>

Do you think dialects should be officially recognised?
Do you think of them as a language?
Should people be encouraged to speak their own dialects?


Have your say

[piranha]

Re: Dialect v 'proper' language

Do you think dialects should be officially recognised? Yes of course. It is an important part of the local identity and culture.

Do you think of them as a language? No because majority of them are not unique enough nor do they meet the definition of &quot;language&quot;

Should people be encouraged to speak their own dialects? Definitely but not at the detriment of the official labguage which is necessary to be successful, efficient and productive in society.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Dialect v 'proper' language

We would all be better off if the whole world spoke just one language. What is the advantage maintaining all these languages??
Some emotional satisfaction??
It only serve to keep people ignorant.
irrespective of how well educated you are, you are an illiterate in a country where you don't understand the language.
And that is not good. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: piranha</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you think dialects should be officially recognised? Yes of course. It is an important part of the local identity and culture.

Do you think of them as a language? No because majority of them are not unique enough nor do they meet the definition of &quot;language&quot;

Should people be encouraged to speak their own dialects? Definitely but not at the detriment of the official language which is necessary to be successful, efficient and productive in society.
</div></div>