Language use, language attitudes and identity in Curacao

Abstract

This chapter presents the results of 471 questionnaires distributed in Curaçao in order to investigate patterns of language use, language attitudes and identity among participants belonging to different age groups and with different parental birthplaces. The results pointed out that the speech community of Curaçao is rather homogeneous. Papiamentu, the mother tongue of the majority of the population, is widely used and attitudes toward Papiamentu and Curaçaoan identity are overall very positive. A statistical analysis of the results indicated that the use of Papiamentu by informants with foreign-born parents correlated with positive attitudes toward the language and toward Curaçaoan identity. These findings provide important insights for language policy and planning, particularly in relation to the education system.