Languages of Guyana
Encyclopedia
English
is the official language of Guyana
and used, for example, in its schools. In addition, Cariban languages
(Akawaio
, Wai-Wai, Arawak
and Macushi
) are spoken by a small minority, while Guyanese Creole (an English-based creole with African and/or East Indian syntax.) is widely spoken. In addition, Dutch and French are commonly spoken however not at the local level, only nationals who frequently visit French Guiana and Suriname speak them.... Also French is widely taught in the secondary schools along with Spanish as a foreign language, which is also widely spoken though only by Venezuelan visitors and residents, both from Guyana and Venezuela.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
is the official language of Guyana
Guyana
Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, previously the colony of British Guiana, is a sovereign state on the northern coast of South America that is culturally part of the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana was a former colony of the Dutch and of the British...
and used, for example, in its schools. In addition, Cariban languages
Cariban languages
The Cariban languages are an indigenous language family of South America. They are widespread across northernmost South America, from the mouth of the Amazon River to the Colombian Andes, but also appear in central Brazil. Cariban languages are relatively closely related, and number two to three...
(Akawaio
Akawaio language
Akawaio is a Cariban language spoken mainly in Guyana, most commonly in the region of the Upper Mazaruni. Though many speakers don't live in villages, there are a number of population centers, notably Kamarang, Jawalla, Waramadong, and Kako. Some 6,000 people speak Akawaio...
, Wai-Wai, Arawak
Arawak language
Arawak is the eponymous language of the Arawakan language family. The term is often used to cover the closely related Taino language of the Caribbean islands. The ethnonym Lokono may be used more specifically....
and Macushi
Macushi
The Macuxi are an ethnic group of southern Guyana and northern Brazil. There are approximately 15,000 Macushi speakers in Brazil and 9,000 in Guyana.-Origins:...
) are spoken by a small minority, while Guyanese Creole (an English-based creole with African and/or East Indian syntax.) is widely spoken. In addition, Dutch and French are commonly spoken however not at the local level, only nationals who frequently visit French Guiana and Suriname speak them.... Also French is widely taught in the secondary schools along with Spanish as a foreign language, which is also widely spoken though only by Venezuelan visitors and residents, both from Guyana and Venezuela.