Cape Verde Languages

Description
Cape Verde's official language is Portuguese. It is the language of instruction and government. It is also used in newspapers, television, and radio.

Cape Verdean Creole or Kriolu is used colloquially and is the mother tongue of virtually all Cape Verdeans. The national constitution calls for measures to give it parity with Portuguese. Cape Verdean Creole is a dialect continuum of a Portuguese-based creole. There is a substantial body of literature in Creole and has been gaining prestige since the nation's independence from Portugal.

The differences between the forms of the language within the islands have been a major obstacle in the way of standardization of the language. Some people have advocated the development of two standards: a Barlavento standard in the north, centered on the São Vicente Creole, and a Sotavento standard in the south, centered on the Santiago Creole.

Dialects of the different islands
 * Barlavento Creoles are spoken in the Barlavento Islands
 * Boa Vista
 * Sal
 * Santo Antão
 * São Nicolau
 * São Vicente
 * Sotavento Creoles are spoken in the Sotavento Islands
 * Brava
 * Fogo
 * Maio
 * Santiago

Word List(s)
Portuguese Cape Verdean Creole
 * Portuguese Genealogical Word List
 * Cape Verdean Creole Word List Examples
 * Useful phrases in Cape Verdean Creole

Alphabet and Pronunciation
Portuguese Cape Verdean Creole
 * Portuguese Alphabet and Pronunciation
 * Portuguese Alphabet and Pronunciation
 * Vowels
 * Consonants and semi-vowels

Language Aids and Dictionaries
Portuguese Cape Verdean Creole
 * Portuguese Letter Writing Guide
 * Portuguese dictionary
 * Sentence structure
 * Nouns
 * Personal pronouns
 * Verbs
 * Adjectives
 * Dictionnaire français-cap-verdien

Additional Resources

 * Learn to speak Cape Verdean Creole
 * Let's speak Capeverdean : language and culture