Alternate Names: Leeward Caribbean Creole
Dialects: Antiguan Creole English, Barbuda Creole English. Slight comprehension of Jamaican and perhaps Bahamas creoles. May be similar to English Creoles of the Virgin Islands and Netherlands Antilles. One dialect is spoken mainly by older generations who live in Jennings and Bolans villages, near Johnson. People perceive the Southern variety, spoken along Fig Tree Drive Road from Swetes to Bolans, as being most different and difficult to understand. Barbudan is perceived as being more linguistically distant than the Creole English of Montserrat Point (2003 K. Decker).
Status Notes: De facto language of national identity.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 67,000 in Antigua and Barbuda (2001), increasing. It is difficult to substantiate the number of Creole speakers and English speakers. Population total all countries: 151,270.
Language Use: All ages. Negative attitudes.
Language Development: Oral materials available.
Spoken In: Antigua and Barbuda
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Antigua and Barbuda
Other Comments: Most villagers deny the existence of a creole, though they speak it. Although some negative attitudes toward it, its use in the community is quite strong. Its uniqueness and cultural role is valued. Many migrated to Antigua from Montserrat after the eruption of Soufriere Hills volcano on 18 July, 1995. Christian.