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The Story of Papiamentu

by Gary C. Fouse

The Story of Papiamentu is a non-linguistic history of the creole language, Papiamentu, which is spoken in Curaao, Aruba and Bonaire. Papiamentu is a Spanish-based creole which most believe to have originated in the 17th century. The exact origin of Papiamentu is in dispute, and this text discusses whether it is the result of the Spanish of explorers mixing with the language of the local Indians, or if it originated with Portuguese slavers in Africa. Also discussed are the activities of the Portuguese explorers and slavers in Africa, the later activities of the Dutch slavers, the history of slavery in Curaao, the oral and written development of Papiamentu, and the Sephardic Jewish community of Curaao and their contributions to the development of Papiamentu.