Saint Kitts and Nevis Languages

Although there are numerous dialects spoken on the uslands, English is both the official and the national language of the country. St. Kitts and Nevis was a British colony until 1983 and English was declared the national language by the constitution which was enacted on June 23, 1983. Although it is not recognized as the national language, a larger percentage of the population converses in the Saint Kitts Creole.

93% of the population of the island has a working knowledge of Saint Kitts Creole. With a high literacy level on the island, over 98% of the population can converse in English. About 40,000 speak Saint Kitts and Nevis Creole.

The Creole dialects used in St Kitts and Nevis and their neighboring islands are similar and difficult to differentiate. Many of the differences can be characterized by different pronunciations and accented words. Saint Kitts Creole is considered to be a dialect of Leeward Caribbean Creole English.

One of the minority languages spoken on the island is Spanish. Many Spanish speakers have immigrated from the Dominican Republic. Guyanese Creole is also spoken on the islands, mainly by Guyanese immigrants. Saint Kitts and Nevis will grant citizenship to immigrants who have contributed significantly to the economy of the country.