Languages in Dominica

The Commonwealth of Dominica, knowing its historical background, has been influenced by many different nations and having said that, the country sure has a diverse cultural background as well. In this light, languages used in the country of Dominica are mixtures of the different languages and dialects from its invaders and inhabitants as well as its neighbouring countries.

English is the official and national language of the Dominican people. It is widely used in the country especially by the young generation. English is the language being used in the schools of Dominica as the language of instruction and means for conversation. It is the language officially and universally spoken throughout the country as there are a lot of tourists of different nationalities and at that, speaking different languages.

Though English is the official and national language of the Dominican people, another language is widely spoken in the region. The French-based Creole language (language spoken by French departments and a number of countries in the Caribbean) is a dialect widely spoken by most of the Dominicans, particularly the old generation. Due to the colonization and invasion of the French back in the late 1700s and the location of Dominica (between Martinique and Guadeloupe which are French-speaking nations), the Creole language has been a part of Dominica’s culture and is being spoken throughout the years. Nowadays, only the old generation know and use the language, so the government has been creating ways on how to preserve the language as part of the country’s rich and unique culture.