Trinidadian Creole
Trinidadian Creole is a creole language commonly spoken throughout Trinidad. It is distinct from Tobagonian Creole – particularly at the basilectal level – and from other Lesser Antillean English creoles.
English is the country's official language (the local standard variety is Trinidadian English), but the main spoken languages are Trinidadian Creole and Tobagonian Creole. Both creoles contain elements from a variety of African languages. Trinidadian Creole is also influenced by French and French creole (patois).
History
Like other Caribbean English-based creoles, Trinidadian Creole has a primarily English-derived vocabulary. Although the island also had a creole with a largely French and Antillean creole lexicon until the nineteenth century, when it was gradually replaced, due to influence from the British.
Other languages on the island, such as Spanish, a number of African languages, Chinese (mainly Cantonese, with some Hakka, and now Mandarin) and Bhojpuri (which acted as a lingua franca amongst Indian immigrants) have also influenced the language.
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