Kriol

Kriol is the name used for a group of English-based creole languages that developed in multilingual contact settings around the world. The term is most commonly applied to Belizean Kriol in Belize and Australian Kriol in parts of northern and central Australia; some sources also refer to the Sierra Leonean language Krio as Kriol, though Krio is the usual name there.

Origin and classification: Like other creoles, Kriol varieties arose from sustained contact between English and local languages during periods of colonization and trade. They are distinct languages with their own grammar and vocabulary, even though their lexicon is largely derived from English. Shared features often include analytic syntax, reduced inflection, and the use of auxiliary words to mark tense and aspect.

Geographic distribution and usage: Belizean Kriol is widely spoken in Belize and used in informal communication, media, and education. Australian Kriol is spoken by Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory and other regions, and is the focus of literacy and language revival programs. Krio of Sierra Leone functions as a lingua franca and national language in that country.

Linguistic status and orthography: Kriol varieties are living languages with ongoing intergenerational transmission in many communities. They employ distinct orthographies for writing and have published dictionaries and literature in some varieties, supporting literacy and education.