patois

Patois is a term used to describe nonstandard vernaculars and creole languages arising from language contact. It does not refer to a single language; rather, patois names a category of varieties found in the Caribbean, the Francophone world, and among diaspora communities. The label carries different social and linguistic connotations in different places.

In the Caribbean, patois commonly refers to English-based creoles such as Jamaican Patois, which developed from contact between English and West African languages during and after the slave era. In Francophone regions, it is often used to describe Creole languages like Antillean Creoles or Haitian Creole. These languages typically show vocabulary drawn from a dominant colonial language while grammar and phonology reflect substratum influences from African, Indigenous, or other languages.

Linguistically, patois varieties vary in how closely they resemble their parent languages. They often feature reduced inflection, distinct pronoun usage, and unique tense or aspect markers. Writing systems are not uniform; orthographies range from ad hoc spellings to increasingly standardized forms in educational or literary contexts.

Sociolinguically, patois has been subject to stigma and policy debates about official status and education. In some places, creoles or patois are recognized and promoted alongside official languages, while in others they remain primarily spoken vernaculars. They play a prominent role in culture, music, and daily communication, and ongoing research and activism seek to elevate their status and legitimacy.