On the Caribbean island of Aruba, there are many languages spoken. The official language is Dutch, and schools require students to learn both English and Spanish. French and, to a lesser extent, Portuguese are also present on the island. However, the mother tongue and primary vernacular of almost all Arubans is a local creole language known as Papiamento, according to the Government of Aruba[1] an Afro-Portuguese Creole.
Dutch has been the official language of the island for years as the island is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, but Aruba has recognized English as an international language, and has required that children learn English as early as the 4th grade. Aruba's location off the coast of South America has also made Spanish extremely important. Students begin learning this as early as 5th grade.
Papiamento is a creole language with roots mainly from Portuguese, and to a lesser extent, from Dutch and English, and originated in the 16th century as a means of communication among slaves and slave drivers.
This native language was not considered important on Aruba until 1995 and was officially included in school curriculum in 1998 and 1999. Since, the island has embraced Papiamento, a Papiamento dictionary and fairy tales written in Papiamento are now available on the island.
| Papiamento |
Spanish |
Portuguese |
Dutch |
English |
| Bon dia |
Buenos días |
Bom dia |
Goedemorgen |
Good morning |
| Bon tardi |
Buenas tardes |
Boa tarde |
Goedemiddag |
Good afternoon |
| Bon nochi |
Buenas noches |
Boa noite |
Goedenacht |
Good night |
| Bon bini |
Bienvenido |
Bem vindo |
Welkom |
Welcome |
| Danki |
Gracias |
Obrigado |
Dank u/Dank je |
Thank you |
| Ayo |
Adiós |
Adeus |
Tot ziens |
Good-bye |
| Pasa un bon dia |
Que tenga un buen día |
Passa/Tenha um bom dia |
Fijne dag |
Have a good day |
| Con ta bay? |
¿Cómo estás?/¿Cómo te va? |
Como está/vai? |
Hoe gaat het? |
How are you? |
| Mi ta bon |
(Yo) Estoy bien |
(Eu) Estou bem |
Met mij gaat het goed |
I am fine |
| Cuant'or tin? Cuanto ora tin? |
¿Qué hora es?/¿Qué horas son? |
Que hora tem?/Que horas são? |
Hoe laat is het? |
What time is it? |
| Mi por papia Papiamento |
(Yo) Puedo hablar papiamento |
(Eu) Posso falar papiamento |
Ik spreek Papiaments |
I can speak Papiamento |
| Si |
Sí |
Sim |
Ja |
Yes |
| No |
No |
Não |
Nee |
No |
| Aruba ta bunita |
Aruba es bonita |
Aruba é bonita |
Aruba is mooi |
Aruba is beautiful |
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