UF Center for Latin American Studies
Dr. Hebblethwaite addresses the disparity between French and Haitian Creole in official policy
August 5, 2021
Affiliate professor Dr. Benjamin Hebblethwaite (Languages, Literatures and Cultures) has published an op-ed shedding light on the role of language policy in Haiti's struggle for advancement, in the context of the country's history as well as current events.
"Even today [...] Haitian children are still subjected to a school system that largely operates in a language few Haitians speak with competence—let alone can read or write. It is estimated that roughly 5 to 10 percent of Haitians are functionally bilingual in French and Haitian Creole. However, 100 percent of Haitians speak Haitian Creole, and, more critically, 90% of Haitians speak only Haitian Creole."
Read the full article here: https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/08/03/haiti-language-education-school-french-haitian-creole/
