Pidgins and Creoles occur all over the world and they have been given more and more scholarly attention. Loreto Todd states that “references to their existence go back to the Middle Ages” . In a simplified way, Pidgins and Creoles are mixed languages which have been used when speakers of unlike languages were not able to communicate sufficiently, for instance traders coming from different countries.
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One example of an English-based Creole is Sranan Tongo which is used in the Republic of Suriname.
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The available paper shall deal with the geographical setting, the history and the sociocultural and sociolinguistic background of Sranan Tongo. Furthermore, it shall give a linguistic description including a text sample of the Creole. [...]
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Geographical Setting
- 3. Historical Facts
- 4. Sociocultural and Sociolinguistic Background
- 4.1 Population, Religion & Language Today
- 4.2 The Development of Sranan Tongo
- 5. Linguistic Description
- 5.1 Lexicon
- 5.2 Phonology
- 5.2.1 Consonants
- 5.2.2 Vowels
- 5.3 Grammar
- 5.3.1 Plurals
- 5.3.2 Pronoun System
- 5.3.3 Possession
- 5.3.4 The Copula
- 5.3.5 Tense and Aspect
- 6. Exemplification
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Sranan Tongo, an English-based Creole language spoken in Suriname. It explores the geographical, historical, sociocultural, and sociolinguistic contexts surrounding the language's development and use. The paper also delves into a linguistic description of Sranan Tongo, examining its lexicon, phonology, and grammar.
- The geographical and historical development of Sranan Tongo.
- The sociocultural and sociolinguistic factors influencing Sranan Tongo.
- The linguistic features of Sranan Tongo, including its lexicon, phonology, and grammar.
- The role of Sranan Tongo as a lingua franca in Suriname.
- The relationship between Sranan Tongo and other languages spoken in Suriname.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the subject of Pidgins and Creoles, highlighting their growing scholarly attention and defining key terms like Pidgin and Creole. It specifically focuses on Sranan Tongo as an example of an English-based Creole spoken in Suriname, briefly mentioning the country's history and Sranan Tongo's role as a lingua franca. The introduction lays the groundwork for the subsequent chapters by establishing the scope and focus of the paper.
2. Geographical Setting: This chapter describes the geography of Suriname, highlighting its size, location in South America, and its division into a cultivated northern coastal area and a largely rainforest-covered southern region. It notes that the majority of the population resides on the coast or in the capital, Paramaribo, and also mentions the significant Surinamese diaspora in the Netherlands. The chapter provides essential geographical context for understanding the development and spread of Sranan Tongo.
3. Historical Facts: This chapter traces the historical development of Suriname, beginning with its pre-colonial inhabitants (Arawak, Carib, and Warrau) and the arrival of Europeans, primarily the Dutch. It details the establishment of the first successful European settlement in 1651, the introduction of slavery, and the subsequent British and Dutch control of the region. The chapter highlights the significant impact of the slave trade on the development of Sranan Tongo and the eventual abolition of slavery in 1863. The chapter also details Suriname's relationship with the Netherlands, emphasizing its path toward gaining independence.
4. Sociocultural and Sociolinguistic Background: This chapter explores the sociocultural and sociolinguistic context of Sranan Tongo. It examines the demographic composition of Suriname, focusing on the population, religious affiliations and language use. The chapter also analyzes the historical development of Sranan Tongo as a creole language born from the interaction of different groups including enslaved Africans and their colonizers. This section contextualizes the language within its cultural and social setting, explaining its position as a lingua franca, and examining its relationship to other languages.
Keywords
Sranan Tongo, Creole, Suriname, Pidgin, English-based Creole, Lingua Franca, Sociolinguistics, Historical Linguistics, Lexicon, Phonology, Grammar, Colonial History, Slavery, Africa, Netherlands.
Sranan Tongo Language Preview: Frequently Asked Questions
What is this document?
This document is a comprehensive language preview of Sranan Tongo, an English-based Creole language spoken in Suriname. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main topics covered in the preview?
The preview covers the geographical setting of Suriname, the historical context of Sranan Tongo's development, its sociocultural and sociolinguistic background, and a detailed linguistic description including lexicon, phonology (consonants and vowels), and grammar (plurals, pronouns, possession, copula, tense and aspect).
What is the objective of this document?
The main objective is to provide a thorough overview of Sranan Tongo, exploring its historical development, sociolinguistic context, and key linguistic features. It aims to illustrate the language's role as a lingua franca in Suriname and its relationship with other languages spoken in the region.
What are the key themes explored?
Key themes include the geographical and historical development of Sranan Tongo, the sociocultural and sociolinguistic factors influencing the language, its linguistic characteristics (lexicon, phonology, grammar), its function as a lingua franca, and its relationship to other languages in Suriname.
What is Sranan Tongo?
Sranan Tongo is an English-based Creole language primarily spoken in Suriname. It emerged from the interaction of different groups during the colonial period, primarily enslaved Africans and their colonizers.
What is covered in each chapter?
Chapter 1 (Introduction): Introduces Pidgins and Creoles, focusing on Sranan Tongo and its context in Suriname. Chapter 2 (Geographical Setting): Describes the geography of Suriname. Chapter 3 (Historical Facts): Traces Suriname's history, emphasizing the impact of slavery on language development. Chapter 4 (Sociocultural and Sociolinguistic Background): Explores the sociocultural and sociolinguistic context of Sranan Tongo. Chapter 5 (Linguistic Description): Provides a detailed linguistic analysis of Sranan Tongo, covering lexicon, phonology, and grammar. Chapter 6 (Exemplification): Provides examples of the language (though the specifics are not detailed in the preview).
What are the key words associated with this language and its study?
Keywords include Sranan Tongo, Creole, Suriname, Pidgin, English-based Creole, Lingua Franca, Sociolinguistics, Historical Linguistics, Lexicon, Phonology, Grammar, Colonial History, Slavery, Africa, and Netherlands.
For whom is this document intended?
This document is intended for academic use, facilitating the analysis of themes related to Sranan Tongo in a structured and professional manner.
What is the significance of Sranan Tongo as a lingua franca?
The preview highlights the role of Sranan Tongo as a lingua franca in Suriname, facilitating communication among diverse linguistic groups.
What is the relationship between Sranan Tongo and other languages?
The preview mentions the relationship between Sranan Tongo and other languages spoken in Suriname, although the specific details of these relationships are not fully explained in the provided summary.
- Quote paper
- Ulrike Römer (Author), 2006, Sranan Tongo - An english-based creole in the republic of Suriname, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/79598
