Morisyen

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A language of Mauritius

ISO 639-3
mfe
Alternate Names
Creolophone, Kreol, Kreol Mauricean, Kreol Morisyin, Kreole, Maurisyen, Mauritian, Mauritian Creole, Mauritius Creole French, Maurysen
Autonym
Kreol Morisien
User Population

976,000 in Mauritius (Leclerc 2018c). Total users in all countries: 1,027,800.

Location

Widespread.

Language Status

3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity. Originated in 1721 in the colonial society in Bourbon and brought to Mauritius. Lingua franca between freed slaves, Indian and Chinese immigrants.

Classification
Creole, French based
Dialects

Rodrigues Creole. More similar to French creoles of the Caribbean than to Réunion Creole (Baker 1972).

Language Use

Generally used at home while standard French [fra] is more commonly used in the workplace. Neutral attitudes. Lower prestige than French [fra] or English [eng]. Also use French [fra].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 2010.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Morisyen
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Also spoken in:

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