Page Type: languageSaramaccan | Ethnologue

SRM ISO 639-3

Saramaccan

Saamáka Autonym

A language of Suriname

ISO 639
srm
Alternate Names
Saramaccaans
Autonym
Saamáka
Population
31,500 in Suriname (2018). Total users in all countries: 34,500.
Location:
Brokopondo district: Brownsweg, Centrum, Klasskreek, and Kwakoegron, communes, small border area; Para district: Bigi Poika commune; Paramaribo district; Sipaliwini district: Boven Saramaccan and Boven Suriname communes.
Language Status
5 (Developing).
Classification
Creole, English based
Dialects
Matawari (Matawai, Matoewari, Matuari). Possibly Portuguese [por] based rather than English [eng] (Hancock 1988). Linguistic influences from Koongo [kng] (Hancock 1988). Lexical similarity: 20% with African component.
Typology
Tonal, one tone per vowel.
Language Use
All domains. Used by all. Also use Dutch [nld]. Used as L2 by Kwinti [kww].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 15%–25%. Saramaccan is being used for religious instruction in Moravian schools along the Suriname River. Literature. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1991–2009.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Saramaccan
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
A Bush Negro ethnic group with background similar to the Ndyuka. Traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Saramaccan
User Population
3,000 in French Guiana (2019), decreasing. , based on ethnicity.
Location
Widespread.
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of French Guiana

Map

Location: Brokopondo district: Brownsweg, Centrum, Klasskreek, and Kwakoegron, communes, small border area; Para district: Bigi Poika commune; Paramaribo district; Sipaliwini district: Boven Saramaccan and Boven Suriname communes.