Language Attitudes

The year 2012 has seen an evolution in the status of Kreol in Mauritius after its introduction as a language of study for primary level in mainstream education. Kreol is the mother tongue of the majority of Mauritians but it has always been considered inferior when compared to other languages in multilingual Mauritius. In this case study, the attitudes of six parents whose children have enrolled for the Kreol classes in Standard 1 are analysed. This work shows that the debate is tight concerning the status that Kreol has reached. Responses show that Kreol is also considered as an ethnic language and its promotion in the education sector will be a pride for its associated ethnic group. It is also demonstrated that the debate concerning the status that Kreol actually occupies is fleeting since its introduction as a language of study in schools is new.

Autorentext

Alexendrinne Arlapen, resident of Camp-Levieux Rose-Hill, Mauritius, has had secondary education at the Saint Andrew's School and holds a degree in Joint Humanities with specialisation in English and French languages from the University of Mauritius. She is now an educator of French language at Notre Dame College in Mauritius.