The official language of the Bahamas is English, which is used in government, education, media, and business.
Local Dialect: Bahamian Creole English
While standard English is widely spoken, many Bahamians also use Bahamian Creole, a unique English-based dialect influenced by African languages, British English, and West Indian (Caribbean) English.
Key Features:
- Informal and rhythmic
- Distinct pronunciation and slang
- Often drops the “h” in words (e.g., “house” becomes “’ouse”)
- Use of expressions like “What da wybe is?” (What’s up?) or “Mash up” (Broken/tired)
Other Languages:
Due to tourism and immigration, you might also hear:
- Haitian Creole (spoken by Haitian immigrants)
- Spanish (among Latin American residents and tourists)
