Haitian Creole is on the Rise

Once overlooked in formal spaces, Haitian Creole is now finding its voice on global platforms, from classrooms and government agencies to AI labs and language apps.

It’s clear that Haitian Creole is no longer on the margins, it’s at the center of important conversations about access, equity, and cultural pride.

Here's What You Need to Know

Recently, Marleen Julien was invited as a special guest on The Show 1804 Renaissance for Women’s International Month, where she delivered a powerful presentation on the progress of Haitian Creole over the past 15 years. 

For our English-speaking community of educators, linguists, and culture lovers, we're thrilled to share the highlights.

🎥 Watch the full interview: Prezève Lang Kreyòl la ak Kilti Ayisyen an: Yon Konvèsasyon ak Marleen Julien

A Language Once Marginalized, Now Rising

Since the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Haitian Creole has undergone a transformation, not just in perception, but in application, research, and global presence.

From being dismissed as informal or secondary, it’s now being used in education, media, governance, and technology.

A Surge in Respect, Research, and Representation

• Academic Recognition: Haitian Creole is now being used in university-level research and thesis work, helping validate it as a language of intellect and scholarship.
• Digital Presence: Major platforms like Facebook, Duolingo, and Google are helping bring the language to everyday digital spaces.
• Media Visibility: The New York Times’ “Ransom” series broke new ground in 2022 by being published in Creole—alongside English and French.

• Institutional Support: The Haitian Ministry of Education and the State of New York have both taken major steps to integrate Creole into public policy and public service

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Creole

With the rise of AI, Haitian Creole has entered a new phase of digital relevance. From translation tools to smart apps, the future looks promising, but careful guidance is key.

• Limited Voice Recognition: Many AI models still struggle to accurately process spoken Creole.
• Literal Translations: Machine translations often lose quality, nuance, and idiomatic depth.
• The Human Element: Language professionals remain critical to ensure translations reflect the accuracy, richness, and authenticity of Haitian Creole.

Final Thoughts

Over the past 15 years, we’ve witnessed a remarkable transformation: Haitian Creole has entered classrooms, courtrooms, tech platforms, and international stages. It has proven that a language born of struggle can become a tool for empowerment, education, innovation, and unity.

As we look toward the future, we must continue to nurture and elevate Haitian Creole, not just to preserve it, but to propel it forward. Every policy that affirms its legitimacy, every app that includes it, every child that learns to read and write in their native tongue—that’s a revolution. A quiet, powerful revolution that says Haitian Creole is not a barrier, but a bridge.

Now is the time to invest in that future.

To advocate for inclusive AI tools. To publish in Creole. To teach in Creole. To build with Creole. To honor the language that has carried our stories, our songs, and our spirit through centuries.

Because when Haitian Creole thrives, so do the people who speak it.

🌐 Discover more at creolesolutions.com
📧 Contact Marleen at marleen@creolesolutions.com