Surinamese People - Language

Language

In Suriname there are no fewer than twenty languages spoken. Most Surinamers are multilingual. In terms of numbers of speakers are the main languages in Suriname, successively the Dutch language, Sranan Tongo (Surinamese language), the Sarnami (Surinamese Hindi), the Javanese language, different Maroon Languages (especially Saramaccan), and the Chinese language. Since most Surinamese people are multilingual (for instance the Dutch and Surinamese language), it is not easy for people to share in a particular language group.

According to the results of the seventh general population and housing census, which was held in 2004, Dutch is the most spoken home language in Suriname. In over 70% of households Dutch is spoken as the first or second language. Sranan Tongo is spoken primarily as a second language in 46% of households, along with 22% Sarnami Hindustani and 11% Javanese.

Spoken language per household in Suriname, 2004
Language Most spoken home language Second home language Total coverage of the language
Number % Number % Number %
Dutch 57.577 46.6 29.163 23.6 86.740 70.3
Sranan Tongo 11.105 9.0 45.634 37.0 56.739 46.0
Sarnami Hindustani 19.513 15.8 8.121 6.6 27.634 22.4
Javanese 6.895 5.6 6.846 5.5 13.741 11.1
Maroon languages 18.797 15.2 2.493 2.0 21.290 17.2
Other languages 6.501 5.3 4.030 3.3 10.531 8.5
No second home language - - 23.754 19.2
Unknown 3.075 2.5 3.422 2.8
Total 123.463 100.0 123.463 100.0
Source: Seventh general population and housing census 2004, Algemeen Bureau voor de Statistiek

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