LESSER ANTILLEAN CREOLE FRENCH: a language of St. Lucia

Between the 14th and 15th editions this language code was retired from use.
Reason: The speech varieties denoted by the code were split into two or more distinct languages.
Remedy:  Change each instance of DOM to one of:

The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).

SIL code: DOM

ISO 639-2: cpf

Population 123,000 in St. Lucia (1995), 75% of the population (1997 M. Parkvall). Population total all countries 985,450.
Region Also spoken in Dominica, France, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Trinidad and Tobago.
Dialects ST. LUCIA CREOLE FRENCH (PATWA, PATOIS, KWÉYÒL).
Classification Creole, French based.
Comments Guadeloupe dialect is similar to Haiti, close to Martinique; St. Lucia is close to Dominica (97% to 99% intelligibility). Goodman (1964) says all French creoles of the Caribbean are somewhat inherently intelligible to each other's speakers. Other sources also include those of the Indian Ocean and probably Southeast Asia and Oceania (Voegelin and Voegelin 1977). Standard French is understood by no more than 10% of the population in St. Lucia. Standard French is used in some church services. English is also used. Politicians give speeches in Creole. In the islands under French influence nearly all the population speaks creole as mother tongue, although there is a local variety of Standard French. In those under English influence, the creole has less standing, and its speakers are normally illiterate in the creole. Dictionary. Grammar. Literacy rate in second language: 36%. Has an orthography. Newspapers, radio programs. Christian. NT 1999.

Also spoken in:

Dominica   
Language name   LESSER ANTILLEAN CREOLE FRENCH
Population 42,600 in Dominica (1998), 60% of the population (M. Parkvall).
Dialects DOMINICA CREOLE FRENCH (PATWA, PATOIS, KWÈYÒL).
Comments The dialect of Dominica is virtually the same as St. Lucia. Most people are bilingual in English or English dominant, especially younger people. Standard French understood by no more than 10% of the population (M. Adler 1977). Loan words from Island Carib and Arawak. Dictionary. Christian. NT 1999. See main entry under St. Lucia.
 
Grenada   
Language name   LESSER ANTILLEAN CREOLE FRENCH
Dialects GRENADA CREOLE FRENCH (PATWA, PATOIS).
Comments Mainly older people on Grenada Island. The same as, or similar to, that spoken in St. Lucia (M. Alleyne). NT 1999. See main entry under St. Lucia.
 
Guadeloupe   
Language name   LESSER ANTILLEAN CREOLE FRENCH
Population 335,000 in Guadeloupe (1975).
Dialects GUADELOUPE CREOLE FRENCH (PATWA, PATOIS, KREYOL), ST. MARTIN CREOLE FRENCH, MARIE GALANTE CREOLE FRENCH, ST. BARTH CREOLE FRENCH.
Comments Very close to Martinique Creole. St. Barth Creole is distinct in grammatical, phonological, and lexical feaatures, and may not be a dialect (J. Maher 1989). Investigation needed: intelligibility with St. Barth Creole, St. Martin Creole, Marie Galante Creole. Dictionary. Grammar. NT 1999. See main entry under St. Lucia.
 
Martinique   
Language name   LESSER ANTILLEAN CREOLE FRENCH
Population 325,000 in Martinique (1975).
Dialects MARTINIQUE CREOLE FRENCH (PATWA, PATOIS).
Comments Dialect of Guadeloupe is close to Martinique. Comprehension of St. Lucia Creole is 89%. NT 1999. See main entry under St. Lucia.
 
Trinidad and Tobago   
Language name   LESSER ANTILLEAN CREOLE FRENCH
Dialects TRINIDADIAN CREOLE FRENCH (PATOIS, TRINIDADIEN).
Comments Speakers have contact with French creoles from St. Lucia and elsewhere, which contributes to language maintenance. M. Alleyne and J. Holm say it is close to Lesser Antillean Creole French. Not intelligible with Standard French. In settlements around Dragon Mouths children under ten speak the language; elsewhere speakers are middle-aged and older (I. Hancock 1984). Fishermen. NT 1999. See main entry under St. Lucia.
 

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