Sranan

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A language of Suriname

ISO 639-3
srn
Alternate Names
Sranan Tongo, Surinaams, Suriname Creole English, Surinamese, Taki-Taki
Population

120,000 in Suriname (1993). Population total all countries: 126,400.

Location

Mainly Paramaribo and along the coast. Also in Aruba, Caribbean Netherlands, Netherlands, Sint Maarten.

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Classification
Creole, English based, Atlantic, Suriname
Dialects

Similar to Ndyuka [njt], but with cultural differences. Many similarities to Krio [kri] of Sierra Leone.

Language Use

300,000 L2 speakers. Some literature. Lingua franca of 80% of the country, including the Hindustanis, Javanese, Chinese, American Indians, and Bush Negroes. All domains. All ages. Also use Dutch [nld].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 10%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Poetry. Dictionary. Bible: 1997–2011.
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.