Vincentian Creole English

SVC

vigorous

Alternate Names: Vincy Twang

Dialects: None known. Most similar to Guyana and Tobago. Exists in a continuum with standard English ,, with speech in the capital of Kingstown most similar to standard English (the acrolect) and Island Carib descendents who live north of the Dry River being least similar to standard English.

Status Notes: De facto language of national identity.

Genealogy:

Creole
English based
Atlantic
Eastern
Southern

Demographics: 138,000 (Holm 1989).

Language Use: Vigorous. Most domains. All ages.

Spoken In: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Writing System: Latin

Nation of Origin: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Other Comments: There is a continuum of variation from basilectal Creole to acrolectal English of the educated. Possible French influence, though former French creole is virtually gone. The only folk language (Holm 1989:457).