Origins of a Creole

By Bart Jacobs,

Book cover of Origins of a Creole: The History of Papiamentu and Its African Ties

Book description

This study embarks on the intriguing quest for the origins of the Caribbean creole language Papiamentu. In the literature on the issue, widely diverging hypotheses have been advanced, but scholars have not come close to a consensus. The present study casts new and long-lasting light on the issue, putting forward…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Origins of a Creole as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This book studies Atlantic cultural history from the perspective of language, with a focus on Curaçao. A unique characteristic of this small Caribbean island is that its colonial rulers spoke Dutch, whereas the Black population used an Afro-Iberian creole called Papiamentu as its lingua franca. Jacob’s study embarks on an intriguing quest for the origins of this language, tracing it back to Portuguese-based creoles from the Cape Verde Islands and the nearby African West Coast. It argues that this seventeenth-century Portuguese-based creole later underwent significant Spanish influence and thereby constitutes a case of “reduplicated language contact.”

From Jeroen's list on Atlantic cultural history.

Want books like Origins of a Creole?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 79 books like Origins of a Creole.

Browse books like Origins of a Creole

Book cover of Africa and Africans in the Making of the Atlantic World, 1400-1800
Book cover of National Rhythms, African Roots: The Deep History of Latin American Popular Dance
Book cover of Rebecca's Revival: Creating Black Christianity in the Atlantic World

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,487

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in etymology, West Africa, and presidential biography?

Etymology 48 books
West Africa 27 books