Our Own Language / Lang a nou

An exploration of the weaponization of language for neocolonialism, specifically the suppression of Haitian Creole—and why mother tongues are indispensable for universal access to quality education.

Our Own Language addresses the age-old, intricate, and generative relationship between language, power, and education, with a particular focus on the historical and ongoing suppression of Haitian Creole (Kreyòl) in Haiti in favor of French—the language of the former colonizers. It argues that this linguistic oppression is a tool for neocolonialism, mental slavery, and the entrenchment of social-class divides, thus undermining human rights and nation-building.

Michel DeGraff investigates the links between Haiti’s colonial and neocolonial history; the joint evolution of Creole languages and Creole studies; and how French in Haiti became a maker and marker of social hierarchies that exclude from education and governance those who speak Kreyòl only—that is, the majority of Haitians.

DeGraff draws on his own personal experience as a child growing up in Haiti, on historical accounts, and on linguistic analyses. The book extends its scope beyond Haiti, examining similar linguistic injustices in other parts of the world and in other sectors of society, and challenges dominant narratives and practices about language and development, even among agencies such as UNESCO and the World Bank. Most importantly, the book concludes with liberatory alternatives to the neocolonial patterns that DeGraff decries.


Liv Lang a nou analize relasyon konplike e pwodiktif ki egziste, depi digdantan, ant lang, pouvwa ak edikasyon. Liv sa a mete limyè sou baboukèt ki toujou ap toufe lang kreyòl Ayiti a an favè franse—lang ansyen kolon yo. Liv la montre ki jan dominasyon lengwistik sa a se yon zam pou neyo-kolonizasyon, esklavaj mantal ak divizyon ant moun an wo ak moun an ba. Se kon sa lang ak lengwistik sèvi nan vyolasyon dwa moun e nan depafini kapasite n pou n bati nasyon.

Michel DeGraff fè ankèt sou lyen ki egziste ant : (i) istwa kolonyal ak neyo-kolonyal peyi d Ayiti; (ii) fòmasyon lang kreyòl yo men nan men ak rechèch sou lang kreòl yo;(iii) ki jan pale franse ann Ayiti vin sèvi kòm zam e kòm miwa yerachi sosyal ki bloke patisipasyon moun ki pale kreyòl sèlman—sa vle di, patisipasyon pifò Ayisyen—nan edikasyon ak gouvènans.

DeGraff ankre rechèch li nan pwòp esperyans pèsonèl pa li kòm ti moun ki te leve ann Ayiti e nan done istorik ak analiz lengwistik. Epi, tou, liv la depase kad Ayiti a : DeGraff fouye zo nan kalalou divès sektè sosyal kote gen divès kalite enjistis lengwistik k ap frape divès kominote sou latè. Epi, tou, li dokimante pwoblèm nan pwodiksyon konesans ak metòd ki aplike sou kesyon lang, edikasyon ak devlopman, menm pami ajans entènasyonal tankou UNESCO ak Bank Mondyal. Pi enpòtan toujou, dènye chapit la montre premye pa nou ka fè ansanm sou chemen liberasyon pou n rive chape an ba bòt gwojemoni neyo-kolonyal DeGraff denonse a.