Haitian Creole Studies
More than 10 million people in Haiti speak the Haitian Creole language. Haitian Creole is also spoken throughout the Caribbean basin and in the United States, Canada and France. After English and Spanish, Haitian Creole is the third most commonly spoken language in Florida. Over 400,000 Haitian Creole speakers live in the Sunshine State, many in major cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa.
The mastery of Haitian Creole language skills is essential for anyone who wants to work in Haiti or the Haitian community. It is the one language that binds all Haitians together. The French language is also important in Haiti and the 5% of the population that speaks it fluently tends to come from the social and economic elite. Nevertheless, 100% of the Haitian population speaks Creole and the proponents of the Creole movement are making major strides to advance the status of the great unifying language of Haitian society, Kreyòl Ayisyen.
In places like Florida, Haiti or New York, employers are looking for individuals with Haitian Creole language skills. University of Florida graduates with Haitian Creole skills stand out for positions in professions like health care, social research, counseling, engineering, administration, construction, education, management, law, interpreting, public service, and business. The study of Haitian Creole also provides students with direct access to the people of Haiti and the genius of Haitian culture, arts, cuisine, style, history, society, religions, philosophies, and knowledge.
Vin aprann kreyòl avèk nou! (Come learn Creole with us!)
Courses in Haitian Creole language and Haitian studies have been offered at the University of Florida for more than two decades. The Haitian Creole program at UF simultaneously offers 3 levels of Haitian Creole thanks to the generous support of a Department of Education grant from UF’s Center for Latin American Studies. Students of Haitian Creole can earn a BA Degree in the FLL Dual-Language Track while students earning a degree in the single language track can complete their critical concentration in Haitian Studies or Haitian Creole.
Whatever your needs, we welcome students of Haitian Creole and Haitian Studies at all levels. We use a student-centered communicative approach that empowers students to speak, listen, read, and write in Haitian Creole.
These Departments or Centers also offer degrees that accept Haitian Creole Language and Haitian Studies courses, depending on the course:
- Latin American studies
- African American studies
- Anthropology
- Religion
- Linguistics
- HAI 1130, first semester Haitian Creole for beginners
- HAI 1131, second semester Haitian Creole for advanced beginners
- HAI 2200, first semester Haitian Creole for intermediate learners
- HAI 2201, second semester Haitian Creole for advanced intermediate learners
- * Language Placement: Note that UF students who already speak some Haitian Creole are encouraged to take HAI 1131, HAI 2200, or HAI 2201, depending on her or his level. If you already speak some Haitian Creole, you should not enroll in HAI 1130 but send an email to the Program Contact for placement.
- HAT 3700, Introduction to Haitian Creole Linguistics
- HAT 3564, Haitian Culture and Society
- HAT 3930, Introduction to Haitian Vodou
- HAT 3503, Ethnic Haitian Literature in English Translation
- HAT 4911 (Undergraduate Research in Language, Linguistics, Literature, Culture in Some Combination of English, Haitian Creole, or French)
- HAI 4911 (Undergraduate Research in Language, Linguistics, Literature, Culture in the Target Language, Haitian Creole)
- Students who wish to pursue an independent study should contact the Program Contact with her or his proposal. The proposal should be 250 words plus include a bibliography of three sources.
Undergraduate Coordinator
Dr. Benjamin Hebblethwaite
363 Dauer
hebble@ufl.edu
352-273-3762