185,000 (1995), including St. Eustatius 1,000, Saba 1,000, St. Martin 10,000, Aruba 64,000 (1995). Self-governing part of the Netherlands. On January 1, 1986 Aruba received separate status, and became independent on January 1, 1996. Literacy rate 95%. Also includes Arabic, Chinese. Information mainly from R. Hall 1966. Christian, secular. Blind population 500 (1982 WCE). Deaf institutions: 3. Data accuracy estimate: A2. The number of languages listed for Netherlands Antilles is 4.
DUTCH [DUT] 20,000,000 to 21,000,000 in all countries. Indo-European, Germanic, West, Continental, Low, Dutch. It is decreasing in importance. National language. Bible 1522-1988. NT 1480-1992. Bible portions 1477-1986.
ENGLISH [ENG] 322,000,000 in all countries (1995 WA). Dutch Virgin Islands. Indo-European, Germanic, West, North Sea, English. Post-creole English is the dialect used (Alleyne). Bible 1382-1989. NT 1380-1985. Bible portions 1530-1987.
PAPIAMENTU (PAPIAMENTO, PAPIAM, CURAÇOLEÑO, CURASSESE) [PAE] 155,400 in Netherlands Antilles, 84% of the population (1995); 60,000 in Netherlands (1993 Johnstone); 200 in Puerto Rico; 200 in U.S. Virgin Islands; 190,800 in all countries. Curaçao, Aruba, St. Marten, Bonaire Islands off Venezuela coast and islands off Nicaragua. Creole, Portuguese based. Three main dialects. Language is becoming more like Spanish, which is prestigious. Taught in first 2 years of primary school. Using both Papiamentu and Dutch is not considered an indication of lack of education. However, inability to use Dutch hinders social and political mobility, and leads to discontent. Bible in press (1996). NT 1916. Bible portions 1884-1987.
SRANAN (SRANAN TONGO, TAKI-TAKI, SURINAAMS, SURINAMESE) [SRN] 300,000 or more in all countries. Also in Surinam and the Netherlands. Creole, English based, Atlantic, Surinam. Some literature. Language of wider communication. Christian. NT 1829-1846. Bible portions 1966-1987. Work in progress.
Part of the Ethnologue, 13th Edition, Barbara F. Grimes, Editor.
Copyright © 1996, Summer Institute of Linguistics, Inc. All rights reserved.
If you have questions, comments, or updates on the Ethnologue, go to the Feedback page.
[Americas | Areas | Ethnologue Home | SIL Home]