The Jamaica Language Unit (JLU) in the Department of Language, Linguistics and Philosophy at UWI, Mona will on Friday, May 7, 2010 at 4 pm at the Multifunctional Room, Main Library see 35 participants graduate from a six week Certificate course in Haitian Creole for Select Interest Groups.

The course was designed to assist in the immediate relief efforts in Haiti by bridging the language barrier between the disaster relief experts and the Haitian population. The first cohort consisted of medical personnel, law enforcement officers, coastguards and engineers. The course covered basic proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking of Haitian Creole for a work context primarily.

Haitian Creole has since 1987 been recognized in the Haitian constitution as the main language in general use in Haiti.  In addition, it is named as an official language of the country, alongside French.  Haiti Creole is the language of the mass of the population of the country and, without it, communication between the assisting groups and the displaced population is severely restricted.