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The Story of Kriolu, The ‘Unofficial Official’ Language Of Cape Verde

The Story of Kriolu, The ‘Unofficial Official’ Language Of Cape Verde

While the official language of Cape Verde is Portuguese, most people speak Kriolu in their homes and on the street. Kriolu is the “unofficial official” language of Cabo Verde. Its origins are ancient, dating back to the 15th century. It was at first a pidgin language, based on Portuguese, in which business was conducted. Africans who were brought to Cabo Verde as slaves used the pidgin, which then developed into a fully formed “creole” language. When the slave trade ended, Portuguese remained the official language of Cabo Verde and even today it is used in classrooms, the government, and in the media.

Click here to read the article on AFKTravel.com.