English, of course. And quite proper at that.

English is the official language of Grenada. The language of Grenada evolved from its heritage of English, French and African ancestry.

Grenadian English is based upon a tradition of British education. An American may read a quaint word like 'whilst' and be charmed, but if you live in Grenada you get to use this word. The word 'labor' in the US spelling may be spelled 'labour' in Grenada, for example, or the word 'destabilization' in the US spelling may be spelled 'destabilisation.' This occurs often. The British lilt of some English heard in Grenada is pleasant and soon understandable.

A French-speaking person may recognize a phrase like 'Morne Jaloux' or 'Lance aux Epines" which are locations, or numerous other words and phrases because of the remnants of French culture in Grenada.

French-African patois or Grenada Patois or Grenada Creole are some of the various names of Grenada's vernacular languages. Many sayings and colloquialisms are spoken, often with a mixture of African, French and English.

One of the late Alister Hughes' favorite topics Grenadianese

A Dictionary of Grenadianisms is the sure thing!

A relatively strict French translation of village names is an interesting site, courtesy of Alliance française de la Grenade.

For a survey of 'patois' visit Ron Kephart's Site

Recently published is "Recollections of an Island Man" - full of Grenadianese words and sayings with a 27-page glossary. Anthony Wendell DeRiggs tells heart-warming stories that will move you from being a 'stupidee' about Grenadianisms to a person of "grand moves" with your new-found way of speaking.

Another recently published paperback is "Tales from Icebox Land" by Queen Macoomeh of Commess University. Queen Macoomeh writes:

Now fuh all doze who going to read de book but not accustom to we English, doh leh de words frighten yuh eh? Take yuh time an read troo, yuh go get de riddim.