Creolization: The Dutch - Speaking Caribbean

 In previous blogs, the theme creolization was explored and discussed in different settings of the Caribbean (including the English - Speaking Caribbean and French - Speaking Caribbean). This blog will discuss an example of creolization in the Dutch - Speaking Caribbean from the text Tour de Force. An example given in the text is the Antillean Waltz of Curacao. Gangelhoff and LeGrand (2019) expressed that the Antillean Waltz was featured in the houses and dance parties of the elite in Curacao. Moreover, the authors discussed how Jan Gerard Palm composed the first native waltz. He experimented with syncopated rhythms and created a creole waltz "which evolved into the Antillean waltz" (Gangelhoff & LeGrand, 2019, p. 233).


Figure #1 - shows a book that has an article titled An Anatomy of Creolization: Curaçao and the Antillean Waltz that discusses the Antillean Waltz and its creolization.

Source: (Aecid, n.d.)


Figure #2 - shows a demonstration of the Antillean Waltz 

Source: (Redbubble, n.d.)



Video #1 - Curacao Waltz by Edmond Chatlein

Source- YouTube

This video was chosen because Mr. Edmond Chatlein is a Curacao born pianist that moved abroad. Moreover, in the video the use of other instruments such as the guitar and violin can be seen and heard. This is typical in the dance bands of waltzes of Curacao.


Another example of creolization found in the Dutch- Speaking Caribbean is Dutch-lexifier creole languages (Kouwenberg, 2013). Philippe (2013) articulates that Papiamentu is spoken in the ABC Islands, which were formerly a part of the Netherland Antilles (whose official language is Papiamentu). 




Figure #3 - shows the Papiamentu alphabet and pronunciation 

Source: (Omniglot, n.d.)


Video #2 - How to speak Papiamentu| Language Lesson| Curacao


Source: YouTube


This video gives background information on the languages spoken by the natives of Curacao and teaches a few Papiamentu words used by the locals.


References 

Aecid. (n.d.). Latin American Music Magazine- Latin American Music Review. Portal Web AECID Revista de música latinoamericana = Latin American Music Review. https://www.aecid.es/ES/Paginas/Minisite%20Biblioteca/Difusi%C3%B3n/revistas-hispanica/revista_de_musica_latino_americana.aspx

de Jong, N. (2003). An Anatomy of Creolization: Curaçao and the Antillean Waltz. Latin American     Music Review / Revista de Música Latinoamericana, 24(2), 233–251.       http://www.jstor.org/stable/3598740

Kouwenberg, S. (2013). 46. Dutch Creole in the Caribbean. In Volume 3 Dutch (pp. 879-896). De Gruyter Mouton.

Omniglot. (n.d.). Papiamento (papiamentu). Papiamento language, alphabet and pronunciation.  https://omniglot.com/writing/papiamento.php

Philippe M. (2013). Papiamentu. "The survey of pidgin and creole languages". Volume 2: Portuguese-based, Spanish-based, and French-based Languages. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Redbubble. (n.d.). 'Curacao Waltz Demonstration' by Steppeland. Redbubble.  https://www.redbubble.com/people/steppeland/works/3800615-curacao-waltz-demonstration 

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