Surinamese Dutch
Encyclopedia
Surinamese Dutch is the form of Dutch
spoken in Suriname
, a former Dutch
colony. Dutch is spoken as a mother tongue by about 60% of the population, most of them being bilingual with Sranan Tongo
, Saramaccan and other languages. Nevertheless, Dutch is the sole official language of the country. Surinamese Dutch is easily intelligible with other forms of Dutch. Furthermore, as opposed to other languages that have different forms in the Americas (e.g., American English
vs. British English
) the regulation and thus standardised spelling of the Dutch language is done through a joint Dutch-Belgian-Surinamese organisation and thus has no regional differences regarding spelling. Suriname has been an associate member of this Nederlandse Taalunie
since 2005. Therefore many typical Surinamese words were added to the official Wordlist of Standard Dutch
, known as the "Green Booklet" (Groene Boekje).
The only known words exclusive to Surinamese Dutch are okseltruitje, bacove, cellulair, wiet, zwamp, roti, kouseband, schaafijs, bobo and buitenvrouw
. Surinamese Dutch has been heavily influenced by other languages spoken by residents and also by common street slang.
and its environs became a Dutch colony. The remainder of Suriname, however, remained in British
hands. Only after the Dutch had lost New Netherland
(including present-day New York City
) to the British did they in exchange receive the rest of Suriname. After this Dutch became the language of communication between Native Surinamese, Africans (creoles) and the Dutch colonial administration. In 1876, the language in addition became official in the Surinamese education system
whilst new immigrants from British India (the Hindoestanen
) and Java
also picked up the language. These immigrants also added features to spoken Dutch that are not present in Europe
an variants of Dutch.
Dutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
spoken in Suriname
Suriname
Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname , is a country in northern South America. It borders French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname was a former colony of the British and of the Dutch, and was previously known as...
, a former Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
colony. Dutch is spoken as a mother tongue by about 60% of the population, most of them being bilingual with Sranan Tongo
Sranan Tongo
Sranan is a creole language spoken as a lingua franca by approximately 300,000 people in Suriname...
, Saramaccan and other languages. Nevertheless, Dutch is the sole official language of the country. Surinamese Dutch is easily intelligible with other forms of Dutch. Furthermore, as opposed to other languages that have different forms in the Americas (e.g., American English
American English
American English is a set of dialects of the English language used mostly in the United States. Approximately two-thirds of the world's native speakers of English live in the United States....
vs. British English
British English
British English, or English , is the broad term used to distinguish the forms of the English language used in the United Kingdom from forms used elsewhere...
) the regulation and thus standardised spelling of the Dutch language is done through a joint Dutch-Belgian-Surinamese organisation and thus has no regional differences regarding spelling. Suriname has been an associate member of this Nederlandse Taalunie
Dutch Language Union
The Dutch Language Union is an international institution for discussing issues regarding the Dutch language. It was founded on 9 September 1980 by the Netherlands and Belgium...
since 2005. Therefore many typical Surinamese words were added to the official Wordlist of Standard Dutch
Wordlist of the Dutch language
The Word list of the Dutch language is a list of words in the correct official spelling of the Dutch language . It is officially established by the Dutch Language Union , and is published in dictionary style. Because of the colour of its published form, it is better known as the Green Booklet...
, known as the "Green Booklet" (Groene Boekje).
The only known words exclusive to Surinamese Dutch are okseltruitje, bacove, cellulair, wiet, zwamp, roti, kouseband, schaafijs, bobo and buitenvrouw
Buitenvrouw
Buitenvrouw is a Surinamese Dutch word for a mistress. Although traditionally considered a taboo, some contemporary Surinamese cultural figures like Jetty Mathurin and Frits Wolfs are found to satirize or criticize the institution.After the Surinamese mass immigration to the Netherlands, some...
. Surinamese Dutch has been heavily influenced by other languages spoken by residents and also by common street slang.
History of Surinamese Dutch
Dutch was introduced in what is now Suriname when ParamariboParamaribo
Paramaribo is the capital and largest city of Suriname, located on banks of the Suriname River in the Paramaribo District. Paramaribo has a population of roughly 250,000 people, more than half of Suriname's population...
and its environs became a Dutch colony. The remainder of Suriname, however, remained in British
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
hands. Only after the Dutch had lost New Netherland
New Netherland
New Netherland, or Nieuw-Nederland in Dutch, was the 17th-century colonial province of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands on the East Coast of North America. The claimed territories were the lands from the Delmarva Peninsula to extreme southwestern Cape Cod...
(including present-day New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
) to the British did they in exchange receive the rest of Suriname. After this Dutch became the language of communication between Native Surinamese, Africans (creoles) and the Dutch colonial administration. In 1876, the language in addition became official in the Surinamese education system
Education in Suriname
Suriname has an extensive educational system with free schooling compulsory until age 12. The Government and the Roman Catholic and Moravian Churches provide education for kindergarten through secondary school. As a rule, all instruction is in Dutch...
whilst new immigrants from British India (the Hindoestanen
Hindoestanen
The Hindoestanen are an ethnic group of South Asian origin in the Netherlands and Suriname. After the Dutch government signed a treaty with the United Kingdom on the recruitment of contract workers, the Hindoestanen began migrating to Suriname in 1873 from what was then British India as indentured...
) and Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
also picked up the language. These immigrants also added features to spoken Dutch that are not present in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an variants of Dutch.