DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Language
Language
Cities in DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
| Puerto plata | Punta cana |
Language
The official language is Spanish; especially in the border area with Haiti, a Haitian-Creole language is spoken. Immigrants still often speak their original language. Every region has its own dialect and expressions, partly due to the influence of the many immigrant groups. Dominican Spanish is somewhat softer and has a different melody than European Spanish.
Only a few words remain from the original language of the Indians. Some of these words are still found in western languages:
Barbacoa - barbecue
Canon - canoe
Huracán - hurricane
Iguana - iguana
Maíz - corn
Tabasco - tobacco
Other words of Indian origin are:
Ají - pepper
Hamaca - hammock
Lambí - meat
Tiburón - shark
Yagua - palm
The original inhabitants, the Taínos, called the eastern part of Hispaniola 'Quisqueya', a name that Dominicans themselves still often use.
Sources
Bayer, M. / Dominicaanse Republiek
Gottmer/Becht
Creed, A. / Dominican Republic
Chelsea House Publishers
Dominicaanse Republiek
Het Spectrum
Foley, E. / Dominican Republic
Times Books International
Froese, G. / Dominicaanse Republiek
Van Reemst
Langenbrinck, U. / Dominicaanse Republiek
ANWB
Latzel, M. / Dominicaanse Republiek
Elmar
Stow, L. K. / Dominicaanse Republiek
Kosmo
CIA - World Factbook
BBC - Country Profiles
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