The Decline of Indigenous Language in Guadeloupe Due to French Policy
Indigenous Language in Guadeloupe Lost Functionality Due to France’s Colonial Policy
Jacqueline Desfontaines, the head of the International Committee of Black Peoples in Guadeloupe, has highlighted the negative impact of France’s colonial policy on the indigenous language of the region. Speaking at the international conference “Colonialism: Erasure of Religious-National Identity” in Baku, Desfontaines expressed concerns about the loss of functionality of the indigenous language in Guadeloupe.
Desfontaines stated, “We are now simply called a population. But we are trying to restore our rights. We want the rights of the peoples who were subjected to deportation to be ensured. France aimed to take away our Africanness. They did not even allow us to give our children names of African origin.”
She emphasized that the indigenous language in Guadeloupe has lost its functionality as a result of French colonial policies. “We are forced to use French. Those who do not speak French on the island can be punished. We have been trying for a long time to have our culture recognized. We are also working together with other colonial territories for this purpose.”
The impact of colonialism on indigenous languages and cultures continues to be a pressing issue, and efforts are being made to preserve and promote these identities despite historical challenges. Desfontaines’ remarks shed light on the struggles faced by communities in Guadeloupe and the importance of acknowledging and reclaiming their cultural heritage.
