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Dutch is the island's official language, but its native tongue is a bit more complex. Papiamento , usually spelled "Papiamentu" on Curaçao, is the island's own Creole - a mixture of Portuguese , Spanish , Dutch , French , and Arawak , with a sprinkling of African phrases as well. Papiamentu originated on Curaçao , and has been important for all of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba . Most 'native' inhabitants of Curaçao speak Papiamentu as a First Language . In addition, there are sizeable minorities of inhabitants whose first language is not Papiamentu but Spanish , Dutch or English . These Linguistic Minorities , however, will tend to speak Papiamentu as well, but only as a Second Language . Historically, Dutch has been the language of instruction, but recently some discussion has been raised to make Papiamentu the language of instruction in certain schools. Overall, inhabitants of Curaçao pride themselves in being Multilingual . Most Curaçaoans speak Dutch , Papiamentu , and English to a high degree of fluency and can often speak other languages - like French and Spanish - as well. SELECTED CURAçAOAN PAPIAMENTU PHRASES Bon bini!: Welcome! Bon dia.: Good morning. Bon tardi.: Good afternoon. Bon nochi.: Good evening. Kon ta Bai?: How do you do? Mi ta bon.: I am fine. Kon bo yama? or Kon ta bo nomber?: What's your name? Mi yama ... or Mi nomber ta...: My name is... Mi ta bini di...: I am from... Danki: Thank you. Di nada: You're welcome Unda bo ta bai?: Where are you going? Mi ta bai kas.: I'm going home. Bo ta bunita.: You look nice. Mi ta gustabo.: I like you. Ayo!: Goodbye! Te otro biaha!: See you later! REFERENCES Curaçao Tourist Board (2005). Bon Bini Curaçao - Culture and Heritage - Language Retrieved Dec. 12, 2005. IIWINC (2005). Curaçao Guide - Languages Retrieved Dec. 12, 2005. |
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