Dear History Enthusiasts,
This week, we are diving into the fascinating linguistic history of Caribbean Hindustani, a language born from migration and adaptation. This Indo-Aryan language, still spoken in pockets of the Caribbean, is a living testament to the enduring heritage of Indian indentured labourers who arrived in the region over a century ago.
The Roots of Caribbean Hindustani
Caribbean Hindustani traces its origins to Bhojpuri, Awadhi, and other dialects of Hindi spoken in North India. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Britain abolished slavery and sought new labor sources to work on sugar plantations in colonies like Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and Jamaica. Between 1838 and 1917, over half a million Indians were brought to the Caribbean under indentured servitude contracts.
These migrants came primarily from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, bringing their languages and cultures with them. Over time, their speech blended with influences from English, Dutch, and local Creole languages, evolving into what we now recognize as Caribbean Hindustani.
Preserving Language in a New Land
Unlike standard Hindi, Caribbean Hindustani retained older grammatical structures and vocabulary, often incorporating loanwords from Dutch (in Suriname), English, and even African and Indigenous languages. The language was primarily oral, passed down through generations, and remains a cornerstone of Indo-Caribbean identity despite British colonial efforts to promote English in official settings.
In Suriname, Caribbean Hindustani evolved into Sarnami Hindustani, heavily influenced by Dutch. Meanwhile, in Trinidad and Guyana, the language became known as Trinidad Bhojpuri or Guyanese Bhojpuri, though it gradually declined with the rise of Creole English and Hindi-based Bollywood films which introduced a streamlined Hindi vocabulary.
A Legacy of Identity and Resilience
Today, while Caribbean Hindustani is no longer widely spoken as a first language, it survives in religious rituals, folk music like Chutney, and everyday expressions among Indo-Caribbean communities. Efforts to revive and document the language have been growing, with scholars and cultural organizations recognizing its historical significance and unique evolution.
Until next time, remember to embrace the lessons of history, but never get caught up in its cobwebs.
Warm regards,
Hugh
