The Incredible Story of the Traveling Creole
Enslaved people developed a hybrid language that sailed from Africa to the Caribbean and—unbelievably—back again.
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Episode Notes
In this episode, John argues that the many creole languages—of the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands and beyond—were likely descended from a single parent tongue that originated along the western coast of Africa. A magnificent linguistic creation was born, he says, amid the unspeakable inhumanity of what were known as slave castles. And it sailed around the world.
Podcast production by Mike Vuolo.