Sranan

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A language of Suriname

ISO 639-3
srn
Alternate Names
Surinaams, Suriname Creole English, Surinamese, “Taki-Taki” (pej.)
Autonym
Sranan, Sranan Tongo
Population

367,300 in Suriname, all users. 67,300 (2013). 300,000. Total users in all countries: 710,700 (as L1: 410,700; as L2: 300,000).

Location

Widespread.

Language Maps
Language Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language. Lingua franca of 80% of the country, including the Hindustanis, Javanese, Chinese, American Indians, and Bush Negroes.

Classification
Creole, English based, Atlantic, Suriname
Dialects

None known. Reportedly similar to Ndyuka [njt], but with cultural differences. Reportedly many similarities to Krio [kri] of Sierra Leone.

Language Use

All domains. All ages. Also use Dutch [nld]. Used as L2 by Arawak [arw], Aukan [djk], Carib [car], Dutch [nld], Kwinti [kww], Sarnami Hindustani [hns], Wayana [way].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 10%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Literature. Dictionary. Texts. Bible: 1997–2011.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Sranan
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.

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