Page Type: languageKrio | Ethnologue

KRI ISO 639-3

Krio

Krio Autonym

A language of Sierra Leone

ISO 639
kri
Alternate Names
Creole, Patois
Autonym
Krio
Population
8,200,000 in Sierra Leone, all users. L1 users: 780,000 in Sierra Leone (2019). L2 users: 7,420,000 (2019). Total users in all countries: 8,237,900 (as L1: 817,900; as L2: 7,420,000).
Location:
Western Area: Freetown peninsula communities; south of Freetown, York and Banana islands.
Language Status
3 (Wider communication). Brought to western part of Freetown, Sierra Leone in 1787 by early settlers from England. Used as trade language and for social interaction among all sixteen ethnic groups in Sierra Leone.
Classification
Creole, English based, Atlantic, Krio
Dialects
Aku. Krio and Jamaican Creole [jam], and Krio and Sea Islands Creole [gul] may have some interintelligibility. Linguistic influence from Yoruba [yor] (Hancock 1987).
Language Use
Vigorous. More in provincial towns than villages, and for interethnic communication. Possibly half use Krio at work. Formal language for those who do not speak English [eng]. All domains, education. Used by all. Also use English [eng]. Used as L2 by Mende [men], Northern Kissi [kqs], Susu [sus], Themne [tem], Yalunka [yal].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: Less than 15% in English [eng]. Taught as an elective from primary to college level. Bible: 2013.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Krio
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
L1 Krio speakers mainly descendants of repatriated slaves from Jamaica. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Krio
User Population
2,530 in Australia (2016 census).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Australia
Language Name
Krio
User Population
1,190 in United Kingdom (2011 census).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of United Kingdom
Language Name
Krio
User Population
16,200 in Gambia (2016).
Location
Banjul region.
Dialects
Aku.
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Gambia
Language Name
Krio
User Population
7,380 in Senegal (2017).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Senegal
Language Name
Krio
User Population
10,600 in United States (2015 census).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of United States

Map

Location: Western Area: Freetown peninsula communities; south of Freetown, York and Banana islands.