Creole in Martinique was born out of French and West African languages during colonial rule. An overseas region of France, the island’s official language is French. Yet the majority of the population speak Antillean Creole, making Martinique a melting pot of linguistic diversity. <br><br>Creole originally developed in Martinique out of a need for enslaved Africans to communicate with each other. When brought to The West Indies, they were stripped of their language, culture, and identity. Due to the variety of languages spoken they were unable to communicate using their native tongues, or with their French slave masters. In order to overcome this linguistic barrier, they blended words and phrases from the myriad of languages around them to create a form of spoken communication known as Creole. <br><br>Creole gradually progressed into a more recognizable language, spreading throughout Martinique. Although French was the official language for Martinique’s media, government and schools, the expressive and idiomatic nature of Creole resulted in it quickly becoming the main form of communication between families and friends. <br><br>Both French and Creole continue to be widely spoken in contemporary Martinique. While the former remains the official language, Creole thrives and is the language of communication within the local community, in schools and on the radio. Their co-existence is a remarkable example of how Martinique has embraced its different influences to create a distinct character of its own. <br>