Is Dominican And Spanish The Same
Spanish is the official language and the most spoken language in the Dominican Republic. A variety of Spanish languages are spoken within the country. Collectively, these are referred to as Dominican Spanish.
What country owns Dominican Republic?
The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean country that occupies the eastern two-thirds of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. The western one-third of Hispaniola is occupied by the country of Haiti.
| Location |
|---|
| Dominican peso |
What Languages Are Spoken In The Dominican Republic In 2022
Before visiting a new country, it is always nice to find out about its culture and peculiarities. Also, it is valuable for locals when tourists try to communicate with them. That is why we have prepared the information about what languages are spoken in the Dominican Republic.
Languages in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic population is over 10 million, and more than 85% speak the official language. Most of those people live in the capital of Santo Domingo. In excess, more than half of the population is of a mixed origin. Therefore, there are many interesting differences that we will discuss. We have also prepared answers to the most common questions below. But first, lets take a look at the table how many percent of the population speaks these languages!
| Spanish |
|---|
| 11% |
The Importance Of English In Dominica
English is the national and official language of Dominica. It is widely used throughout the Island especially by the young generation. Schools in Dominica use English not only as a means of communication but also the language of instruction. Since tourists from different countries flock the region, English is the language that is officially and widely spoken. The English language in Dominica can trace its roots to 1805 when Great Britain set up a small colony in the region.
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Similarities In Spanish Dialects
Below are different vocabulary words to demonstrate the similarities between the dialects of the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean countries, including Puerto Rico, Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela, and Panama. The dialects of Andalusia and the Canary Islands, two regions of Spain that have been highly influential on the dialects of these countries, are also included.
| Dominican |
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Is English Widely Spoken
I’ve heard that English is not widely spoken in Punta Cana. Although I took some Spanish in high school and college, I don’t remember very much and I’m afraid this is something I will struggle with. I would like to be able to communicate with the people there and am afraid I will be left frustrated.
Thank you!
English is definitely not widely spoken. We went for the first time last year to Punta Cana and though we had no Spanish to fall back on, we had absolutely no difficulty communicating our needs…not that they were many. When we go back this year, I would like to be better prepared in that department, if only to show the people that work there that I want to communicate with them in their language. Apparently that is very appreciated. I found it amazing how many different languages were spoken by everyone around us. For the first few days, it seemed like we were the only English speaking people. Our favorite words/phrases…”dos cuba libres por favour”, “Hola” and “gracias”
just back from the and i can safely say we had no problems @ all all the staff we spoke to had more than adequate English and if you have any probs the guys on reception @ any hotel speak excellent English
Hello Erica,
The Dominican Republic is a Spanish speaking country therefore the population is under no obligation to speak English .
It is not widely spoken and you will find many who speak very little to no English.
I can recommend an excellent set –
Erica,
Hi Tri-State Neighbor !!
Peace
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What Race Are Dominicans
Ethnicity. The population of the Dominican Republic is predominantly of mixed African and European ethnicity, and there are small Black and white minorities.
Is Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico better?
Dominican Republic: Many who come to the D.R. stick to the beach resorts of Punta Cana, La Romana, and Puerto Plata. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico offers better road conditions and a wider range of hotels, from the family-run properties on Rincons west coast to large luxury resorts in San Juan, and everything in between.
Dominican Spanish Slang Words
1. Vaina thing, stuff
In the DR, vaina is either neutral or negative, but never positive. Vaina has four main meanings:
Esa vaina es fea.
Dude, lets go.
3. Colmado corner store
Colmado is a useful word to know if you are in the DR and are looking for a quick snack. A colmado is a small convenience store.
4. Concho taxi car/motorcycle
Looking for a fun way to get around the DR and hang with the locals? Grab a concho.
5. Yala okay
You use this word in informal settings with friends.
¿Quieres ir para un helado?Do you want to go have ice cream?
Yala.OK.
6. Dime a ver whats up?
Dime a ver literally translates as tell me so I can see but has the meaning of whats up?
¿Dime a ver?
Not much.
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Official Language Of The Dominican Republic
As stated, Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic. However, different variants of the Spanish language are spoken across the country. The most commonly used Spanish dialect in the country is Dominican Spanish. Dominican Spanish is a subset of Caribbean Spanish based on Canarian and Andalusian dialects of Southern Spain. It also borrows some words from Arawak language. It includes some of Spanish words that are not used in modern Spanish anymore while some words are borrowed from the African languages spoken by Africans who came to the island after the Taino extinction. The Spanish language is spoken by and/or understood by over 90% of the countrys population. It is used in business and commerce, schools, and government offices. Most of the media publications are also in Spanish.
What Language Is Punta Cana
SpanishThe official language is Spanish however, tourism is such a large industry that English-speaking travelers should have no trouble communicating. And though the official currency is the Dominican peso, many of the Punta Cana resorts accept United States dollars and major credit cards.
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How To Distinguish Dominican Spanish From Standard Spanish
Dominican Spanish applies some twists to standard Spanish. One notable difference is how Dominican Spanish uses old Spanish terms that the neutral Spanish language had ceased using.
Youll also notice how fast-paced their way of talking creates a distinct accent. This trait makes the difference in pronunciation more distinguishable. Thats because they wont sound exactly like what you learned in your previous Spanish class.
For example, in Dominican Spanish, the letter D is rarely pronounced when it appears in the middle of two vowels. So, for instance, instead of saying cansado, which means tired, you will hear them say cansao.
We often drop the letter s from words as well. An example is when the word estás becomes only ta.
Dominican Spanish: 5 Linguistic Twists Youve Got To Know
Dominicans have an energy and style thats totally beyond compare!
There are so many beautiful words that you need in your vocabulary, words like aguacero , and ratatá .
Learning how to speak and understand Dominican Spanish trains your ears and your tongue in a new dialect, and that means you can even try out new words and phrases that are unique to it.
Time to get your ears acquainted with this beautiful countrys language!
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Indigenous Influences On Dominican Spanish
When the Spanish arrived, the indigenous language of Hispaniola was Taíno. The Spanish language borrowed many words from Taíno for things they encountered in the New World.
Anything found in the Caribbean and not in Europe had a Taíno name. Interestingly, hurakã in Taíno became huracán in Spanish.
In fact, many English words, such as manatee, hurricane, and barbecue come from Taíno! Here are a few Dominican Taíno words to add to your vocabulary:
- La nana little girl
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What Is Dominican Spanish
Spanish is the official language and the most spoken language of Dominican.
Dominican Spanish is also a common language for the Dominican diaspora in America who are primarily located in New York City, New Jersey, Boston, Philly and Miami.
The dialect is a subset of Caribbean Spanish that is influenced by southern Spains dialect of the canary. The Indigenous people on the island before colonization were named Arakawas.
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Is Dominican Spanish The Same As Mexican Spanish
No, Dominican Spanish is not the same as Mexican Spanish.
While both are dialects of the Spanish language, there are significant differences between them.
For instance, Mexican Spanish has a lot of influence from indigenous languages, while Dominican Spanish is more similar to the Spanish spoken in Spain.
So, if you know Mexican Spanish, youll still need to learn some new words and phrases before speaking with locals in the Dominican Republic.
Learning The Languages Spoken In The Dominican Republic
One thing that makes a vacation abroad fun is getting the chance to interact with people of a different culture. Take the Dominican Republic, for example. The country has one of the most distinctive heritage theyre always proud to share.
However, before participating in their culture, youll need to learn how to communicate with them. Understanding and recognizing their everyday language is the best way to do this.
This article will help you understand the background of the Dominican Republic language.
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What Languages Are Spoken In Dominican Republic
What Languages Are Spoken In The Dominican Republic?
- Official Language Of The Dominican Republic. As stated, Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic.
- Haitian Creole. Haitian Creole is a minority language in the Dominican Republic.
- Samana English.
- Foreign Languages Spoken In The Dominican Republic.
What Languages Are Spoken In The Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic forms part of the eastern portion of Hispaniola. It is one of the largest Caribbean countries by size, covering about 18,700 square miles. It has a population of approximately 10 million people. The majority of the people live in the capital, Santo Domingo. Spanish is the official language and the most spoken language in the Dominican Republic.
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Is English Widely Spoken In Dominican Republic
This is certainly one of the most widely spoken languages.
People talk about it most frequently within tourist districts if not simply among tourist.
Therefore, when staying in a resort area, youll communicate easily. It is advisable to have an understanding of Spanish before traveling through a country of origin.
What Kind Of Language Does The Dominican Republic Speak
The population of the Dominican Republic is mostly Spanish-speaking. The local variant of Spanish is called Dominican Spanish, which closely resembles other Spanish vernaculars in the Caribbean and the Canarian Spanish.
What kind of culture does the Dominican Republic have?
The intricate inheritance of Arawak which is Amerindian, Spanish, African, and French customs, together with early self-governance, distinguished the Dominican Republic from other islands in the Caribbean as a nation that was diverse linguistically, ethnically, and religiously.
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Regions Of The Dominican Republic
Similar to its people, the Dominican Republic is also geographically diversefrom mountain ranges to jungles and open plains.
The Dominican Republic is made up of three major regions in the north, south and east: El Cibao, El Sur, and El Este. Each region has its own customs, accent, and expressions.
The Eastern Region: El Este
El Este is well known for its major provinces: La Romana, Higuey, and Punta Cana. The beaches are beautiful, as this is the Caribbean Coast of the country. Tourism is higher here than in any other region.
In La Romana, and especially Punta Cana, you will find the largest hotels and resorts in the country. Many Dominicans from all over travel there to work. Unlike in the rest of the country, El Este is much quieter and docile. The Spanish spoken in this region is the most neutral in the country.
Northern Region: El Cibao
The largest region is El Cibao, which spreads through the north, northeast, and central parts of the country. There you will find the longest, highest mountain ranges and fertile land.
The El Cibao region accounts for almost all of the country´s agriculture and diverse wildlife species, which can be found in Constanza, Santiago, and Puerto Plata .
El Cibao has the most recognizable Dominican accent. Many people live in rural areas in this region, which is home to many popular Dominican musicians and artists.
The Southern Region: El Sur
To learn more details about the accents of each region, enroll in Dominican Spanish 101.
Dominican Spanish: An Overview
Historically, the Dominican language has been mainly influenced by three other cultures: African, taíno, and American culture. That explains why this dialect is, in a way, very similar to Puerto-Rican Spanish.
Both of them are, like Cuban, Venezuelan or Panamanian Spanish, part of whats known as Caribbean Spanish, but theyre also probably the two most affected by English.
Since the Spanish-American War at the end of the 19th century, the United States has had a very strong effect on Dominican politics and culture, subsequently invading the island two times.
That influence is also enhanced by the very large community of Dominicans living in the US, one of the most popular destinations of the Dominican Diaspora.
To top that off, more than half of the population is proficient in English, which ranks it at the top of Latin America. All that means that, in the Dominican Republic, Spanish and English are very close together, something that affects their vocabulary and grammar.
That said, the Dominican language has three distinctive traits:
- its personal pronouns
- its pronunciation
- and its particular tendency to use the subject when is not strictly needed . Lets go!
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Languages Spoken In The Dominican Republic: Dominican Spanish
Dominican Spanish resembles other Caribbean Spanish dialects or the seaside Caribbean Spanish languages, and also the Canarian Spanish spoken in Spains Canary Islands, and the Andalusian Spanish which is spoken in Andalusia, South of Spain. People speaking Dominican Spanish can use several Spanish archaisms.
Dominican Spanish is founded on the Canarian and Andalusian Spanish languages of southern Spain and has words that have been loaned from the Taíno dialect, which is an Amerindian language. Cibaenian Spanish is a combination of the language spoken by the Portuguese colonists in the 16th and 17th centuries in the Cibao valley, and the language used by the Canarian settlers in the 18th century.
The majority of the settlers of the Dominican Republic who spoke Spanish originated from the Andalusia area which is in southern Spain, and also the inhabitants from Spains Canary Islands. When these people arrived in what we now know as the Dominican Republic, the first people they met were the Taino people who spoke Arawak and did not speak Spanish. The environ on the island was not similar to that of Spain, so they had to borrow Arawak words so as to show some things and items.
Phonology
Like other Spanish tongues, Dominican Spanish has yeísmo. These are the sounds symbolized by the double l and y.
Vocabulary
Some names and terms in Dominican Spanish have been borrowed from the Arawakan dialect. Some of these are:
- Aji: chili/ hot pepper
Linguistic Diversity In Dominica
Perhaps the biggest advantage of having diversity in the region is that the country gets to be a member of both the English-speaking Commonwealth nations and the French-speaking Francophonie. On the other hand, one of the biggest disadvantages is linguistic discrimination. As shocking as it may seem, speakers of some of the local dialects such as Kokoy have had to fight against discrimination. Since English is the countrys official language, dialects such as Kokoy were perceived as less refined. Such languages were thought to be the language of the illiterate and uneducated. However, some degree of respect has been given to some of the local dialects over the recent years.
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Other Foreign Languages In The Dominican Republic
Other foreign languages are spoken in the Dominican Republic.
French, as one of them, is, like English, taught as a mandatory language in local schools. Yet, despite this, its not a widely used language in the country.
Tourists often hear the rest of the foreign languages more than the countrys residents. So theyll either be known or unknown as long as it contributes to Dominican Republic residents culture.
Language Spoken In The Dominican Republic
What language is spoken in the Dominican Republic? Spanish is the national language of the Dominican Republic. It is customary to speak it in the vast majority of cases.
Such a spread of the Spanish language on the territory of the Dominican Republic is due to the fact that the territory was previously conquered by the Spanish colonialists. That is why, if you speak Spanish, then you should not have problems communicating in the Dominican Republic.
True, if you do not know Spanish, but speak, say, English, then there should also be no difficulties in communicating with the local population. The fact is that here English is considered the second most popular language that is actively used in the country. True, it should be understood that it is mainly used in tourist places.
This is where the locals will understand you. If you want to ask something in English in another part of the Dominican Republic, you may encounter incomprehension from the locals .
Despite the prevalence of the Spanish language, few people speak it absolutely perfectly. Residents use exclusively its only dialect, which is used in the Caribbean.
In particular, a similar dialect is the Latin American dialect. It also gained its distribution in Cuba, Venezuela, and also in Colombia.
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