Trinidad and Tobago Languages

Map showing the location of Trinidad and Tobago

The official language of Trinidad and Tobago is English. English is used in schools and government offices. Although English is the official language, the two islands have different forms of English based on the local dialect on each island. Trinidadian Creole English dialect is mostly spoken in Trinidad Island while Tobagonian Creole English is used in Tobago. Apart from the two, other languages spoken include Spanish, French, Chinese, Patois (a local mixture of French and Spanish), Coco Payol (Creole based dialect), some African languages and Trinidad and Tobago Sign Language.

Trinidad and Tobago is made up of diverse communities who also speak a diverse array of languages. While English is the official language, many people speak Trinidad Creole English. French and Spanish are among the other languages.

Although the official language of Trinidad and Tobago is English, many of the residents speak Trinidad Creole English. Many unique words have evolved from Trinidad English.

There are several minority languages spoken in Trinidad and Tobago. They include Trinidadian Hindustani, Arabic, Chinese, and Yao - a extinct language spoken by the Yao people. There is also Kari’nja or Carib spoken by the Kalian people, Shebaya, an Arawakan language, and some African languages such as the Yoruba language. Also, the languages of Patois and Coco Payol are also spoken. The latter is based on local Creole dialect while Patois is a mixture of French and Spanish. The deaf community uses Trinidad and Tobago sign language.

This page was last modified on May 1st, 2018

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Published on 2019-11-06


Capital	Port of Spain
Languages	English (official), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), French, Spanish, Chinese
Ethnic Groups	East Indian 35.4%, African 34.2%, mixed - other 15.3%, mixed African/East Indian 7.7%, other 1.3%, unspecified 6.2% (2011 est.)
Religion	Protestant 32.1% (Pentecostal/Evangelical/Full Gospel 12%, Baptist 6.9%, Anglican 5.7%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4.1%, Presbyterian/Congretational 2.5%, other Protestant 0.9%), Roman Catholic 21.6%, Hindu 18.2%, Muslim 5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.5%, other 8.4%, none 2.2%, unspecified 11.1% (2011 est.)
Government	Parliamentary republic
Independance	31 August 1962 (from the UK)
Area	5,128.00 km²
Land Area	5,128.00 km²
Population	1,220,479.00 Population on Trinidad concentrated in the western half of the island; on Tobago in the southern half
Location	Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
GDP(PPP)	$43,570,000,000.00 (USD)
GDP (Per Capita)	$31,900.00 (USD)
Export Partners	Its major export partners are the United States, Brazil, and Argentina.
Export Commodities	Its main exports are petroleum and petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, and methanol.
Import Partners	Its major import partners are the United States, China, and Gabon.
Import Commodities	Its major imports include mineral fuels, lubricants, machinery, and transportation equipment.
Climate	Temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
Terrain	Mostly plains with some hills and low mountains
Learn More	Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago Languages

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