Паленкеро: исчезающий креольский язык Колумбии

Spanish based creole language spoken in Colombia

Palenquero (sometimes spelled Palenkero) or Palenque is a Spanish based creole language spoken in Colombia. It is believed to be a mixture of Kikongo (a language spoken in central Africa in the current countries of Congo, DRC, Gabon, and Angola, former member states of Kongo) and Spanish. However, there is not sufficient evidence to indicate that Palenquero is strictly the result of a two language contact. It could also have absorbed elements of local indigenous languages. Palenquero is considered to be the only surviving Spanish based creole language in Latin America. Typically Papiamento, which is often thought to be Portuguese based, from this assessment. In 2018 more than 6,600 people spoke this language.

The formation of Palenquero is recorded from the 17th century with the dilution of the Spanish language and the increase of maroon activity. Existing records dating from the era of Cartagena’s slave trade allude to the pidgin from which Palenquero evolved. As illustrated in the ethnographic text of De Instauranda Aethiopum Salute (1627), the priest Alonso de Sandoval refers to the ‘corruption of our Spanish language’ commonly spoken amongst African slaves.

For almost two decades in the 21st century, Palenquero has been classified as an endangered language. Although it is spoken in parallel with Spanish, the latter has dominated the regular linguistic activity of Palenque de San Basilio. Some 53% of residents are unable to speak Palenquero. The decline of Palenquero can be traced to the establishment of sugar and banana plantations. Many natives left the village in order to find work either in the Panama Canal or the Department of Magdalena. Racial discrimination against people of ethnic African descent added to the decline of Palenquero. Some parents did not feel comfortable continuing to teach their children the language.

With its legacy of cultural resistance, Palenquero has survived since the early 17th century despite the many challenges. In recent years, scholars and activists have encouraged teaching and use of Palenquero, and native speakers are encouraged. Three major events have contributed to the revived interest in the Palenquero creole:

Antonio Cervantes, also known as Kid Pambelé, is an internationally recognized boxing champion born in Palenque de San Basilio. After he won the 1972 world Jr. Welterweight championship, local residents took pride in both the village and Palenquero as a language. As result, Palenque de San Basilio attracted interest by many journalists and politicians. It has continued to attract cultural and foreign attention.

In 2005, Palenque was declared by the United Nations to be a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The recognition has led to appreciation for Palenquero culture. Films, documentaries and music festivals have brought more attention to the community.

Some 300 words of African origin have been identified in Palenquero, with many believed to originate in the Kikongo language. A comprehensive list and proposed etymologies are provided in Moñino and Schwegler's "Palenque, Cartagena y Afro Caribe: historia y lengua" (2002). Many of the words that come from African origin, include plant, animal, insect and landscape names. Another handful of words are believed to originate from Portuguese (for example: mai 'mother'; ten 'has'; ele 'he/she'; bae 'go'). +Sample words in PalenquePalenqueSpanishEnglishburúdineromoneyngombeganadocattlengubácacahuetepeanutposácasa. Compare posadahousetamboretambordrummaimadre. Compare mãe. motherbumbilobasuragarbagecheparopaclothingchitiáhablarto speakngainagallinachickentabacotabacotobaccohemanohermanobrotherondedondewherepuetapuertadoorngologordofatfloflorflowermonániñochildceddocerdopigcateyanocastellanoSpanishforateroforasterooutsiderkusacosathing, stuffcuagrobarrioneighborhood

+The Lord's Prayer in PalenqueroPalenqueroSpanishTatá suto lo que ta riba cielo, santificaro sendá nombre si, miní a reino sí,asé ño voluntá sí, aí tiela cumo a cielo. Nda suto agué pan ri to ma ría,peddona ma fata suto, asina cumo suto a se peddoná, lo que se fatá suto. Nu rejá sujo caí andí tentación nu, librá suto ri má. Amén. Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu nombre. Venga a nosotros tu Reino. Hágase tu voluntad, así en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. no nos dejes caer en la tentación, y líbranos del mal. Amén.