Languages in Cuba

Spanish

Spanish is the official language of Cuba, and was brought to this medical tourism destination by its former colonial masters who arrived in 1511.  The Spanish soon began to import African slaves, mainly from Guinea, Congo, and Nigeria, and these slaves brought in their own African dialects to add to the linguistic melting pot.

Cuban Spanish however, is a little different from the version spoken in Spain, with certain variations in pronunciation.  Cuban Spanish has a lot in common with the Venezuelan and Colombian forms, and especially with the kind of Spanish commonly spoken by Canarians.  Between the 19^th and 20^th century, there was heavy migration from the Canary Islands to Cuba, and this led to the influence of the Canarian accent on Cuban Spanish.  Many words in Cuban Spanish have West African and French influences too.  There are also several American English words that have found their way into the local language.

Creole

The arrival of large numbers of Haitian immigrants in the beginning of the 19^th century brought in the Creole language, a blend of European and African dialects.  In the beginning, Haitian immigrants, who were brought to work on the sugarcane plantations, suffered severe discrimination and had difficulty maintaining an ethnic or linguistic identity of their own.  After 1959, however, these immigrants were given more rights, including the freedom to develop the Creole language.  Consequently, this language is the second most widely spoken language in this medical tourism center today.  Creole is heavily spoken in those pockets of Cuba where these immigrants settled, especially in the eastern provinces, Camaguey, and Ciego De Avila.

English

Cuba is a popular holiday and medical tourism destination, and as such, you’ll find English spoken at hospitality centers, health facilities, and recreation facilities.  English is also becoming increasingly popular with post-baby boomers.  Older generations of Cubans, however, are less likely to speak English, so be sure to brush up on your Spanish skills if you plan to travel extensively throughout Cuba.