HOW DID THE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES APPEAR ON THE ISLAND OF SAN ANDRS AND PROVIDENCIA?

ENGLISH INMERSION PROGRAM THIRD GROUP PROFESSOR RANDY ROY STEPHENS. JULY 1ST, 2011

ENGLISH INMERSION PROGRAM. THIRD GROUP

(Above, from left to right) DORIS FLREZ ANAYA, AURA PATRICIA PEREZ, MARIBEL RIAO, NATAL ROJAS ALVAREZ, RANDY ROY STEPHENS, HEIDY CORTS, DIEGO FERNANDO SALAZAR, EDWIN FABIO REVELO, NANCY FLOREZ, FRANKLIN VALENZUELA, AGUSTIN ALVARADO, CARMEN LUZ TRUJILLO, CARMEN CECILIA CARRILLO, MARIA DORIS HURTADO, LUZ SORAYA SALAZAR, PAULINA MUOZ, MARTHA L VELASQUEZ, FELICIA FORBES, CARMEN ROSA MORA.

HOW DID THE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES APPEAR ON THE ISLAND OF SAN ANDRS AND PROVIDENCIA?

INTRODUCTION:

Language is obviously a vital tool. Not only is it a means of communicating thoughts and ideas, but it forges friendships, cultural ties, and economic relationships. Throughout history, many have reflected on the importance of language. For instance, the scholar Benjamin Whorf has noted that language shapes thoughts and emotions, determining ones perception of reality. John Stuart Mill said that "Language is the light of the mind." Language, of course, is knowledge, and in our world today knowledge is one of the key factors in competitiveness. Brains and knowledge are what create the prosperity and growth we tend to take for granted. In an advanced industrial society in an increasingly interdependent world, the knowledge of other languages becomes indispensable. There is, of course, no denying that the knowledge of the English language is one of the most important tools available to our children. It is one of the international languages, a tool of communication between countries, cultural groups, various companies and organizations, communities and friends.

MAIN OBJECTIVE:

The general objective of this work is to learn about the origin of the language and religion in the San Andres Island and Providence.

Specific objectives: Describe the influence of the language on the religion, how many religions and languages there are in San Andrs, the different religion customs and celebrations. Understand When/where people of San Andres Island uses each language and it influence in education. Identify why the Spanish is the most spoken language in the island. Know some evidences about Creole languages. Describe how do spoken languages in San Andres Island interact in different contexts. Share some cultural aspects of the language and religion through a TV show.

BACKGROUND:

RELIGION ORIGIN According to San Andres history, the cathequism process began with two main groups: first, the puritans who came from Holland on the other hand the slaves who came from Africa and other Caribbean Islands. ONeill who was the first governor wanted to introduce the Catholicism through the Spaniards in spite of his purpose he failed. Philip Beekman Livingston got married with Oneills daughter; he decided raise his family in the Island and convinced the other slave holders to emancipate their slaves, it was in 1848. He gave the slaves in San Andres some of the properties. In 1844 he decided start a school for the black children, the only book on the Island was the Bible. 3 years later they organized into a church, black and white people together. Beekman was ordained pastor in the Baptist church. The Baptist church became a refuge for the slaves, because they werent discriminated in the preaching activities. In 1881 Pastor Beekman passed away and he was replaced by his son Brockholst who was a doctor and a dynamic person too. He directed the

construction of the first Baptist church, the lumber was used to build the church was brought from United States, until this moment it keeps its original structure. In 1903 Colombian government replaced the English people for Spaniards in order to introduce the language, the religion and their customs; thus the Catholicism came to the Island. The Adventist mission built the first church in 1902 in San Luis sector.

Interviewer: what is the influence the language on the religion? PRIEST JOSE: ok first of all in time past all the religions that was here on the island used to have their celebrations in English, absolutely in English the Protestants, the Baptists, the Adventist this tradition but also catholic church we use only English because in the catholic church first of all the American Christ were here and afterward the English Christ until 1926 and those in years we only use English for our celebration so the English has a great influence in the religion because that is the language that we use in our celebration

Now day, these three religions are the most relevant in San Andres Island, they are: 1. BAPTIST CHURCH In 1845 the Pastor Philip Beekman started to preach the slaves; preaching and teaching he developed the foundation and became the base of the first Baptist Church, in 1881 his son Brockholst replaced him. In 1927 the pastor Noel Gonzalez traveled to the island and managed the congregation for 18 years, in 1945 he went back to his country because he was very sick and finally he past his last days with his family. In 1958 was founded the Emanuel Baptist Church in San Luis, after that it was founded the Central Church and later Cove Baptist Church and the Hispana in Sarie Bay. Both the church and the school utilized English as the medium of instruction. By the end of the 19th century 95% of the Island population were Baptists, and more than 90% of these were able to read and write in English (Vollmer, 1997: 56). Baptists believe in the trinity: God Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. They congregate in the church every day with different activities and their preaching are based on the Bible. They go to the church along the week, they have different activities, for example they have biblical studies, preaching and praises, children and youngs group.
The Creole religious leaders (pastors, priests, and elders) obtain their authority from their

position and maintain that position with the consent of the Islander English-speaking people. The historical strength of the Baptist churches has undoubtedly contributed to the authoritative leadership of Baptist pastors in the archipelago. Baptist pastors are not only

looked to for leadership regarding religious-related issues, but also in educational and political matters effecting native islanders as well Creole-based Trilingual Education. ADVENTISTS: In 1902 came to the island a ship called Herald which had a crew of doctors ,dentists directed by the pastor Huching and the doctor Eckles, they attended the sicks along the day and at nights they did the preaching. Many Islanders went to the ship in order to listen the preaching. The first Adventist church was opened in 1905 in providence, later they went to San Andres, where they have extended much more. Nowadays there are six churches around the Island The Adventists keep since Friday at 6:00 pm until Saturday, in this time they pray, meditate in family and go to the church, so they cook the aliments since Friday in the morning to ensure a completely quietness during the weekend, there is no doubt they consider the pork, the crabs, the cogs as impure animals because they draw on the ground. Women dont use any jewel, wear long skirts all the time because they believe the jewels are vanity and the clothes have to be similar as in the Old Testament, either they cut their hair. The Adventists dont go to the doctor when they are sick, either use any medicine, they believe God has the supreme power to cure them; some people have died waiting the miracle.

CATHOLICS: In 1913 came to the island English and Spanish Priests, later in 1926 Nuns from Antioquia continued the missionary Works. In 1927 San Andres was declared as a free port with a new economical system then, many of the islanders became Catholics because they wanted to have a better status, if they spoke Spanish and practiced the Catholic religion they had more opportunities to have a job, however they participated in the Baptists preaching. The relations between the Island and the Continent grew because of the commercial activities, at the same time the government did many school directed by the Catholic Church, it was in 1951. Since 1964 the Baptist religion wasnt considered the predominant

one, nowadays there are eight Catholic Churches and some of the schools have a catholic teaching, although in the island there is freedom to choose the religion.

SOCIO-LINGUISTIC EVOLUTION OF SAN ANDRES, PROVIDENCIA AND SANTA CATALINA

The archipelagos location in the Caribbean Sea was essential in the unfolding of the history of its people. Its located within the western west of the Caribbean Sea: 180 kms from the Central American coast; 400 kms from Jamaica, 480 kms from the Colombian Coast. The archipelago compromises three main islands: San Andres, Old Providence and Saint Catherine and a larger number of cays, islets and sandbars. The Miskito Indians who inhabited the Miskito Coast (Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama) were the first settlers in the archipelago. Although they never actually settled permanently in the islands, those formed part of their habitat and territory. The exact day of discovery of these islands by the Spaniards is unknown but, by the year of 1527, they had been included in the Carta Universal or Universal Atlas. Towards the end of the second decade of 17 th century, several attempts were made to create settlements in the Archipelago, but it was between 1627 and 1629 that a group of English Puritans arrived in Old Providence from the some islands (Bermuda Islands). They were seeking new horizons, as their plantations at home were giving poor yield. Shortly after, groups from the Islands of Barbados, St. kitts and Tortuga followed. In May, 1631 the first group coming directly from England arrived aboard the Seaflower. Others arrived from Walles and Holland. By 1635, there were 500 white men, 40 women and a few children on the island. During the next twelve years Puritans made an enormous invasion. They grew tobacco, sugarcane, indigo and cotton. In 1633, the first group of slaves arrived. From the time on, their number increased and Old Providence became a strategic center for slave trading in the Caribbean. English pirates smuggled in good for the colonists and slaves also. In 1641 Francisco Diaz Pimienta took the island and captured and expelled 400 freemen and 600 slaves. The puritans were sent to Spain and from there departed to England. The slaves were sent to Cartagena, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Those who were able to escape settled in San Andres, St. kitts and Miskito Coast. During thirty six years the Spanish and the English disputed their rights to the island. The Spanish claimed discovery and the English claimed colonization. Twenty one years were of Spanish occupation and 15 of British. In 1670, Admiral Henry Morgan, at that time

Governor of Jamaica, took Old Providence and St. Catalina for the English crown. He took up ninety colonists he found and brought some families from Jamaica, adding to the islands population. In 1677, pirate activities came to an end and the interest of both Spain and England in occupying the Archipelago waned temporarily.

At the beginning of the 18th century new people arrived to settle on the islands. They came from the British Caribbean: Barbados, Trinidad y Tobago and many from Jamaica. Others came directly the British Isles, especially from Scotland, Ireland and other directly from Africa. The new settlers introduced new food and because the economy was based on large plantations many slaves arrived. Most of them came from the British Caribbean and some were brought directly from Africa.

In 1857, a Scottish merchant and ship owner Francis Archibold, brought many slaves from west Africa and the Spanish Governor granted him permission to settle in Old Providence. In 1789, Spain decided to evict the English Colonists from the Archipelago, but they were finally granted permission to stay in 1795 on the condition that they would become Spanish subjects, and abstain from trading with Jamaica. From this time forth, this small Caribbean society, with deep English and African roots, become subject to the Spanish world. Historians estimate that by 1806 some 1200 people, 800 of which were slaves, were living in the island of San Andres. Smuggling and cotton-growing flourished between 1823 and 1853, workers and merchants flowed in from the English Caribbean, increasing and enriching the Archipelagos Community. In 1807, the English parliament began the process of the abolition of slavery, by decreeing a law that forbade the trading of Africans. Reverend Beekman also played an important role in freeing the slaves. In 1834, he freed his familys slaves and gave them land. As a taken of gratitude they took his family name, and today the Livingston family is one of the largest in the island. The Colombian law decreed the abolition of slivery in its territories in 1851. From the time slavery was abolished the basic components of the population were defined, complemented by other immigrants that later arrived; important social and economic changes took place within the population.

After that, in 1844 Philip Beekman Livingston decided that he would start a school for the black children of San Andres; this was an open air school under the shade of a tamarind tree. The white children started to attend the school afterwards. The mixture of the white and black children in the school brought about a racial integration. The only book that existed on the island was the Bible. The fact that they used the Bible as a text book explains why the people of San Andres speak old English. Three years later, Phillip Beekman Livingston was ordained pastor in the East Queen Street Baptist Church and he founded the first Baptist Church on the Hill of San Andres Island and thereby sowed the seed of the Baptists practice using the schools a basis for formation for the church, they organized themselves into this church, black and white people together. It was in this manner that the Baptist education consecrated English as the cultural language, gave it prestige and made it a clear element of social identification, and an essential part of the islands culture. The slaves had an important influence about language. Taking into account their African languages and elements from the European languages the black man had to invent a third language because he hand to defend himself from the whites. He had to have a way that they could communicate among themselves that the white man couldnt understand. They invented a new language that on San Andres and Providence is called Creole English or broken language. The Creole is a mixed language in the sense that it has elements as the African substratum mainly represented by languages from Western Africa as the European super stratum. Nowadays the African ancestral component has gone losing on benefit of European linguistic component. Here is the same text in Creole, English and Spanish. Mango Taim Mi kyan memba wen da wehn mango taim. Wi allwiez do da di bush iina di rien an luk plenty a dehn yelo, griin, an red shain mango. Demde da wehn mango taim. Wen wi get bak huom, mi grama, Mariana, wuda wash dem two taim iina wan big pudn pan iina kliin waata, an den sen som uova da ihn nieba dem. Dehn taim aal wi wuda sidong iina di bak yaad an iit di swiit mango dem, wi wuda ron faas go dong da di wel go wash wi han iina di waata. Den lieta di iivnin, wi grama fren dehn wuda kom uova an tel im tanks fi di nais mango dem we ihn wehn sen fi dem. Mango Time

I can remember went it used to be mango time. We would always go into the woods in the rain and look real hard for all those yellow, green and red shinny mangos. There was nothing to compare to mango time. When we got back home, my Grandma Mariana would take the mangos we brought, and wash them twice in clear water in a large washbasin, and then send some over to her neighbors. At that time we kids would sit down in the back yard and eat the sweet mangos too. And after we finished eating our sweet mango, we would run down fast to the well, draw out some water and wash our hands. Then, later in the evening our grandmothers friends would come over and tell her thanks for the nice mangos that she had sent over to them. Epoca del mango "Recuerdo cuando sola ser la poca de mango. Siempre entraba en el bosque bajo la lluvia y todos esos mangos amarillos, verdes y rojos brillantes. No haba nada que comparar con la poca de mango. Cuando volvamos a casa, mi abuela Mariana tomaba los mangos que traamos, y los lavaba dos veces con agua limpia en un lavabo grande, y luego les enviaba a sus vecinos. En esa poca los nios se sentaban en el patio de atrs y se coman los mangos dulces. Y despus de que terminbamos de comer nuestros mangos dulces, corramos rpido a la fuente, sacbamos un poco de agua y lavbamos nuestras manos. Luego, ms tarde en la noche, los amigos de la abuela venan y le daban gracias por los deliciosos mangos que ella les enviaba. In the early 1900s a Mission of English Catholic Josephites was sent to the islands to strengthen the education of islanders. The bilingual situation English/Creole responded to a socio-cultural and racial differentiation, with English being the language of the educated class, and Creole an African language characteristic of non-civilized people such as bush Indians. By 1926 a Mission of Spanish Catholic Capuchins would be sent to the islands to reinforce what is known as the Colombianization process characterized by ways of cultural assimilation In 1953 the Colombian government declared San Andres Island a duty free port. This not only introduced an economic change, but a demographic change as well. San Andres free port status attracted many mainland Hispanic Colombians to the island. where the catholic religion and the Spanish language ought to be imposed as a way to create the nation described in the 1886s magna carta. Spanish was imposed as the language of education, and Creole was banned from the classroom. Teachers from mainland Colombia were gradually brought to the islands to fill the needs of the systems. Nowadays Creole is the language spoken at home. It has a high sentimental value native islander feel culturally closer to the Caribbean Creole people, since they have long

time family links there, and their language is closely related to that one spoken on Corn Islands and the Central American Caribbean Coast. Yet, in spite of these facts, their native language is officially absent from the educational system and school curricula are void of its cultural and historical referent. The English spoken on the island is a Caribbean Standard English, which is understable by other speakers of Standard English. It is used in formal situations such as church and community meetings; When the government forced the schools to shift to Spanish-as-amedium of instruction, the churches became the only place where English was promoted. For some people, it appears that the church has come to represent the last bastion of English maintenance. Therefore, it appears appropriate that the church is active in the whole language development issue on the island. Decker, Ken and Keener, Andy.
Interviewer: What is the most spoken language in the island? Priest Carlos: with the raizal people we still use English but the most spoken language is Spanish because last year we have majority of people from mainland who do not know English for that reason Spanish is the language of the use, only in some communities we are using English

Spanish is the language of public administration and trade. It is the official language of education. The islands political and religious leaders do not always agree. The Islander Englishspeaking religious leaders view Islander English as a legitimate language that gives native islanders their unique cultural identity with accompanying values. For them, Spanish is seen as an imposition and the cause of erosion of their language, culture, moral values and identity and the reason their most promising young people are neither learning Standard English well nor maintaining their own mother tongue. In short, they are concerned about the vitality of their language and culture. Creole-based Trilingual Education.

CONCLUSIONS:

The relationship between language and religion on the island of San Andres is very narrow, and this process has taken years, in which intertwine the discovery of America, slavery, domination of other nations and the cultural exchange that now day is still presented on the island. Creole is a fundamental part of the identity on the community of San Andres island, their conservation depends on the perseverance and motivation that the adult population has for the new generations, so that they not only be interested in preserving customs but that make an active and productive in their daily lives. the language and culture helps people to find their identity The cultural richness and history offered by the island of San Andres are important and enriching for the entire Colombia country; in this respect, we believe that the

national government should create opportunities to know and appreciate the multicultural nature of all our regions.

REFERENCES:

Sobre la cuestin lingstica de San Andrs y providencia. Artculos Universidad Nacional de Colombia, sede San Andrs. Instituto de estudios Caribeos. Morren Zool, Ronald. Creole-Based Trilingual Education in the Caribbean Archipelago of San Andres, providence and Santa Catalina. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. Forbes, Okley. La situacin socio-lingstica del archipilago de San Andrs y Providencia. Universidad del Quindio. The Socio-Economic and Cultural Impact of Migration between the Anglophone Caribbean and the Republic Of Colombia. Publication of The Proceeding Of Seminar Healed At The University Of The West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, July 9-11, 2003.

ABC, Stuoriz. The Christian University Corporation of San Andres, Providence and Kathleen. San Andres Island, Colombia. S.A First edition, 2001. Sanmiguel Ardila, Raquel. The Current Linguistic Situation of San Andres from an Educational and Cultural Perspective. Decker, Ken and Keener, Andy. A Report on the English-Based Creole of San Andres and Providence Islands, Colombia. SIL International 2001