The Kwéyòl Language

During your stay in Dominica, a local may greet you with a wide sizzling grin, saying "Ca ka fèt?"

This is a common Kwéyòl salutation which means: "How are you doing?" This pervasive cultural ritual typifies the island's friendly hospitality.

Although English is the national language, Kwéyòl is popular. Dominica shares the Kwéyòl language with its Caribbean neighbours Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia and Haiti. 

Kwéyòl is a French-based Creole language that borrows mainly from the vocabulary of Carib and African, languages. Today it is the language of choice in many rural communities; in the city it is a blossoming vogue.

The evolution of the language on the island is tied to the British and French wars for control of the island. The slaves created it to standardise their communication, but during the post-colonial era, when the island had adopted an Anglo-Saxon model, it was shunned by those who saw it as a clash to Western civilization.