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SURINAME
Language

Language

National Anthem SurinameNational Anthem SurinamePhoto: Brokopondo CC 4.0 International no changes made

About 20 languages are spoken in Suriname. The official language is Dutch. Surinamese or Sranantongo developed as a creole language early during the slave period. 'Sranan' can be distinguished from the languages spoken by the Maroons, such as Saramakan and Aukan. The Indians speak several Native American languages. The indentured servants who arrived in the 19th century brought Hindi, Javanese and Chinese. The colloquial language between the groups is Sranantongo.


Sources

Beatty, N.B. / Suriname
Chelsea House

Encarta Encyclopedie

Leuwsha, T / Reishandboek Suriname
Elmar,

Noordegraaf, W / Suriname
ANWB

CIA - World Factbook

BBC - Country Profiles

Last updated October 2024
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