DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
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.

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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

Last updated March 2024
Copyright: Team The World of Info