Language

English is the official language of Belize but Kriol is the language that all Belizeans speak. 

This Caribbean lilt encompassing shortened English words, emphasized phrases and manual gestures will likely be your first introduction to communicating in Belize.  It will also start you on a bit of a linguistic adventure. Spanish, African-based Garifuna, Maya, Kekchi, Mandarin, German – these are just a few of the tongues you will encounter on your Belize vacation.

Our Kriol is recognized by linguists as having all the distinctive rules and lexicon of the contact languages found in many parts of the world which were colonized by European powers. It borrows words from English, African languages, Moskito Indian and a smattering of Spanish and Maya. No doubt it will also pick up terms from Chinese and other newly arrived immigrant groups as it evolves.

If at first you don’t understand, listen carefully and ask them to speak slowly, in no time you will be getting the gist of it and even trying a phrase or two,

“Good morning” might sound: