Uni-CV lecturer warns of the risk of the Cape Verdean Creole language becoming less common in the diaspora

Praia, 10 June (Inforpress) – The director of the Eugénio Tavares Chair at Uni-CV has warned of the risk of the Cape Verdean Creole language becoming weakened in emigrant communities, particularly among the younger generations, and has called for measures to strengthen its preservation.

Fátima Fernandes expressed her views on the sidelines of the VII Cape Verdean Conference on the Portuguese Language, which is taking place at the Palmarejo Grande Campus in Praia, stating that preserving Cape Verdean identity and language amongst emigrant communities is one of Cape Verde’s main cultural and educational challenges.

In this context, she advocated for strengthening the Cape Verdean language as a central element of identity in the diaspora, warning of the risk of weakening the use of the Cape Verdean language in diaspora contexts, particularly among descendants of emigrants who already belong to the second, third, and fourth generations.

According to the researcher, the language is the cornerstone of Cape Verdean cultural identity, and its gradual loss in emigrant communities could create a “generational gap” in the connection with the country of origin.

CM/ZS

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