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Creole

Brothers and Sistas... What really is the definition of a creole? So many people here say it means this or it means that... what is D real definition!

Creole

This are the definitions I found in the dictionary:


1. [n] a mother tongue that originates from contact between two languages
2. [n] a person descended from French ancestors in southern United States (especially Louisiana)
3. [n] a person of European descent born in the West Indies or Spanish America
4. [adj] of or relating to or characteristic of native-born persons of French descent in Louisiana; "Creole cooking"
5. [adj] of or relating to a language that arises from contact between two other languages and has features of both; "Creole grammars".

For many people, mean different things...

Creole Caribbean / Tobago & Trinidad

My understanding of it is #3 and in that light I would most definitely be a creole since my ancestry came from France and I am born in the West Indies even though I look like a Latino/Arab .

Creole

I notice that people here in Trinidad use it to describe a mixed person, I have seen people who are African descendants and people call them 'creoles' but I don't see any creole about them, so I suppose it depends on who is saying and the concept they have about the word.

Creole

Trinidadians tend to use words without thinking about the meaning or even researching it - better known as 'ignorant', another word they use incorrectly. Most times they say something just because it is trendy.

Creole

Well...im not about to get into the "ignorant" aspect of it...but to me, Trinidadians use the word "creole" in different ways.

"French creole" is used alot when referring to people who are "mixed" with African and Caucasian...also known in Trinidad as "red" people.

And the word "creole" is used either to describe a person of African Descent, or in cultural terms, used to identify what is unique to Trinidad and Tobago. For example, "creole" food is inspired partially by the Spanish who came to Trinidad. The mixture of cultures experienced in food, art and music, is purely LOCAL to our islands. This unique blend of cultures, many refer to as "creole".

Creole

The use of this term here in Trinidad confuses me tremendously. I know a lady who refers to her husband as "creole" but the guy is an Afro-Trinidadian. I asked her why does she refers to him as creole if he is black, she said "that's how we use it in Trinidad".


Creoles for me are European descendants born in Latin America or the West Indies.

Rather off topic, but... If a person is mixed with white and black, the person is a mulatto...why don't they use that term?

Edited: LDS_forever on 15th Nov, 2006 - 11:51pm

Creole Trinidad & Tobago / Caribbean

I think all of you have described what creole means and LDS pointed out how the word has different meanings around the world.

The word In Trinidad does mean different things but in general "Creole" is commonly used to describe a person of African Decent. Its an old world word before the Term Black came about and it may have been more apporiate to some than to be negro or its dirivitive. Most cases these days the use of the word by non blacks is considered a racial slur. Even though it is also used among friends in jest. Or in the case of the husband and wife...