Exploring Mauritian Languages: A Guide for Travellers!

Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, and its culture is incredibly diverse. There are several languages spoken on the island, and for a traveller, understanding the language of the people can be quite a challenge. This article looks at the languages spoken in Mauritius and outlines some tips for tourists to help them navigate the different languages.

Languages Spoken in Mauritius

The official language of Mauritius is English, but the island is also home to several other languages. The main languages spoken in Mauritius are Creole, French, English, Hindi, Marathi, and Chinese. Other languages include Urdu, Hakka, Gujarati, Tamil, and Comorian.

Creole is the most widely spoken language on the island, with more than 70% of the population saying it. It is a mix of French, Bhojpuri, and other African language, and is the language spoken most commonly in informal settings. French is the second most common language in official and business environments. Hindi is spoken by the majority of Indian-origin Mauritians, while Marathi is spoken mostly by Mauritians of Indian origin who trace their heritage to Maharashtra. Chinese is spoken by the island's Chinese-origin population, while Urdu is mainly spoken by the Pakistanis living in Mauritius. Hakka is used by the island's Chinese community, and Gujarati is spoken by Indians from Gujarat state. Tamil is spoken by some of the island's Indian-origin population, while Comorian is spoken by some of the African population.

Tips for Navigating Mauritian Languages

For travellers visiting Mauritius, understanding the language can be a daunting task. Here are some tips to make navigating the different languages a little easier:

• Learn some basic phrases in Creole. Since Creole is the island's most widely spoken language, it is a good idea to learn a few basic phrases such as “hello”, “thank you”, and “goodbye”. This will make it much easier to converse with locals.

• Be prepared to switch languages. As many Mauritians are multilingual, it is not uncommon for conversations to switch between languages. Be prepared to switch between Creole, French, English, and other languages.