Reconnecting with my roots
Above all I believe my time in the Haitian Summer Institute helped me reconnect with my culture and learn about my history from a different perspective. Growing up in Haiti, we were not allowed speak Creole in school outside of the one Haitian Creole language class offered. We would also get punished if we addressed a teacher or an adult in Creole especially if they addressed us in French. Still today, it is considered “gauche” to address someone in Creole if they address you in French. Like many of my school friends, I didn’t appreciate Creole until I came to the United States. Being a minority in a country makes you cling to everything that reminds you of the motherland. My identity and sense of belonging to the Haitian culture is tied to the warm feeling in my heart when I express myself in my native language. It doesn’t matter where I am when I speak, read or write in Haitian Creole my spirit is transported home. Haitian Creole has been one of Haiti's official languages, along with French, since 1961. French was seen as the language of the educated and Creole was the language of the uneducated mass. Although that same feeling resonates in the older Haitians leaders and elite, the diaspora and the upcoming leaders of Haiti are reclaiming their freedom and embracing their native language. With the “Academi Kreyol Ayisyen” (Haitian Creole Academy) in Haiti and many other institutes at Universities abroad, young Haitian students in Haiti and abroad such as myself want to be taught in their native language. As of now there are more literature, newspapers, radio and TV in Haitian Creole but students are taught in French in Haiti. I had the privilege to attend a primary school in Haiti that provided a basic Haitian Creole language course. However, with the promotion of Haitian Creole in academia, medicine, education and politics, a mastery of the formal linguistic expressions of the language will be required for any Haitian professional. The Haitian Summer Institute and FLAS Fellowship gave me the opportunity to get a deeper knowledge of my language and understanding of my culture which will allow me to better serve my people and fulfill my duty.
1 Comment
3/13/2024 01:54:44 am
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your latest blog post, as it of insightful thoughts and captivating stories. Your distinct writing approach, skillfully incorporating humor, detailed imagery, and creative comparisons, made the subject come alive for me as if I were embarking on an exciting journey alongside you. I am excitedly anticipating your upcoming blog post and will be on the lookout for it.
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AuthorMy passion is serving my community locally, nationally and internationally. Archives
April 2020
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